Fractions Game for Math for Elementary Teachers

By Jon OaksMar 19, 2012
This is a game that I made specifically to show to my Math for Elementary Teachers class (I have been making a lot of stuff for the students in that class this semester which is why this blog has been sitting dormant).  However, I must say that I am very excited about this game that I just had to share it.  Long story short, it has been over 80 degrees in my classroom the last week or so, and going outside to demo this game with my students is the perfect excuse to get out of the classroom!  If you…
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Videos on Multiplying Fractions

By Jon OaksApr 24, 2011
A couple of students in my on-line classes have been asking questions about multiplying fractions.  Should you simplify before or after multiplying?  How should you simplify?  By cross-canceling directly, or by a prime factorization and cross-canceling combo?  Here are some videos I have made to help clarify the situation. View on screencast.com » View on screencast.com » View on screencast.com »
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Teaching Signed Numbers with Zombies, Ghostbusters, and Night Vision Goggles

By Jon OaksFeb 24, 2011
Here are three new application problems that I came up with while teaching signed numbers this morning.  Remember, I came up with these on the spot, during class.  So, just imagine that the entire class is paying attention to each of these problems as I am writing them, trying to figure out what is going to happen next to Clyde in each of the problems.  I hope you enjoy these! 1.  Clyde was walking down the street and he lost 1/3 of his vodka.  A little later down the street Clyde encountered a zombie who wanted to steal another 2/5…
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Math Games for Integers, Multiplication, and Combining Like Terms

By Jon OaksJan 23, 2011
I have some slightly under-prepared students semester, so I suggested to them that they should try to work on their basic skills outside of class.  However, this requires me to provide some recommended resources to them, and these are what I have discovered: Multiplication Factoris - Tetris-style game for multiplication facts. Penguin Jump - Fun Multiplication Game that can be played with up to 4 people from around the world. Dad's Worksheets - For those who just want the traditional worksheets to practice with. Combining Like Terms Combining Like Terms Quartet - This like terms game requires you to match the center term with its the appropriate…
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Using Post-It Notes in the Classroom

By Jon OaksJan 03, 2011
Honestly, I wasn't sure how college students would respond to writing their answer to a problem on a Post-It Note and then sticking it to the white board, but I thought that I would give it a whirl.  As it turned out, most of the students told me that they enjoyed the activity because it was unexpected, as I had given them a Post-It Note at the beginning of class and gave no instruction as to what to do with it until the end of class.  The students also told me that they enjoyed having to get up out of…
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Teaching Equations to Pre-Algebra Students

By Jon OaksDec 14, 2010
I got in a heated discussion the other day with a couple of colleagues about how to teach equation solving to pre-algebra students.  The equation x + (1/2) = (3/4) came to mind because generally I start a discussion of equations by showing examples of one-step equations.  However, this equation (or most equations with fractions for that matter) is special because the quickest way to solve it may not always be the easiest way to solve it.  This can cause a dilemma if I am discussing one-step equations, but NEED to show the students two step equations in order to…
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