In this post, I want to talk about a few of the projects that I have been working on over the break to use with my students in the upcoming Winter 2012 Semester.
1. Electrifying Truth Table – This is an activity that a friend of mine got from Pete Wildman during the 2011 AMATYC Conference in Austin, TX. The idea is for students to build multiple different circuits to model truth tables in different situations. The one in the picture above is the AND Circuit since both switches (sets of paperclips) must be closed for the light to turn on. The biggest pain in getting this activity up and running was getting the proper supplies. It seems that in Michigan where I am from, there is no ‘one stop shopping’ for these supplies. However, the activity is a good activity. And I do have permission from Pete to share the activity with anyone who contacts me. So, just ask if you want it.
2. Hedbanz Game – If you have kids, you may have already heard of the Hedbanz Game. But did you also know that there is a Hedbanz Adult Game? I only found this out because I was in Toys ‘R’ Us looking for the game, but they were sold out. So, the salesperson asked me if I would like to buy the Adult Version instead. The main difference between the kid and the adult version is that the kids’ version has pictures on it. This got me thinking that I could use the vocabulary words and concepts from my classes to do a math version of the game. The picture below shows me wearing a headband with the word ‘calculators’ that I am trying to ask yes or no questions to answer. If you want a copy of the game rules, just ask.
3. Indian Mathematician Project – My school is really big on Multi-Cultural initiatives and one of the college-wide activities for the upcoming semester is a display about India at the library. So, I have decided to have my classes participate in the upcoming Library Fair by creating tri-fold posters about a famous Indian Mathematician or Indian Statistician. A couple of my students last semester created a prototype of a poster for me. Thus, I really have a good idea of what level of work that I am expecting from my students this semester. I encourage all of you to think of one way this semester that you can implement a Multi-Cultural initiative within your own classroom. I believe it is a really good way to raise awareness among our students about the importance of diversity.
4. Prime Number Tiles: Revisited – If you have visited my blog often enough, by now, you know my frustration with teaching students about the Least Common Multiple and the Greatest Common Factor. I have always wanted to use these Prime Number Tiles, but it did not seem worth the trouble or the expense to me to buy the scrabble tiles or cut out the paper number squares. But I have found a solution that I really am happy with. I am going to write the numbers on the backs of dominos that I got from the dollar store, which is 40.5% cheaper than using the Scrabble Tiles.
