PUT AWAY YOUR TEXTBOOK!  IT'S TIME TO DO SOME MATH!

INSTRUCTOR(S): Mike Weidner, Nicolet High School
GRADE LEVEL: 6-12
CREDIT: 2 or 3
 

Get away from the traditional lecture-practice-homework-check routine and provide a change of pace for your students (and for you!).  Seeing algebra concepts in novel situations allows for deeper learning to occur and will be more engaging for students.

For more than a decade, the presenter has been finding appropriate ways to present Algebra concepts to reluctant learners.  What has emerged is a collection of  data collection activities, graphing calculator activities, application problems and mnemonic devices that help students really understand algebra.  Many activities can be scaled up or down to help middle-level students build algebra readiness and provide review and reinforcement in advanced algebra classes.

This course promises no "magic bullets" that will bestow instant algebra mastery to students, but rather a variety of strategies from a variety of sources.  The graphing calculator can be used for many pattern-recognition and prediction activities and will be taught with the novice user in mind.  (Graphing calculators will be provided for use during the course.)  New approaches to routine Algebraic activities such as factoring and solving equations will allow students to build skills in these important areas.  The concepts of Differentiated Instruction and Understanding By Design will also provide fresh, helpful ways to look at curriculum development.  Issues of equity will be addressed, as well as creative ways to assess students and assign grades.

Throughout the week, all of the activities will be tied into content.  They are used to raise questions, teach content and reinforce learning.  This course will not be a series of "activities for activities sake", but will provide participants with new ways to reinforce content and ideas for developing and/or locating even more.