Thank you notes are writing exercises!

 Yes, thank-you notes are writing exercises.  Help your child create a template to use to write notes.  Create a beautiful picture to go with the note.  Break out beautiful stationary.  Yes, this counts as writing!

TI 83/83: Solver

 Rob and I are introductions how to solve equations.  The textbook’s graphing calculator explanations did not help.  After a struggle and some research, I found this video which works!

Read, See, Do!

 In another life, I did some consulting to bring interactive education to science teachers.  You don’t need training.  Instead, pick a topic.  Read about it, watch a video, and then do an activity.  I use this approach when I teach religious education, teach Co-op, or lead VBS.  Here is an example.  When I introduce the microscope, it’s more interesting to use currency and examine anti-counterfeit devices.  Before you break out the microscope, read an article, answer questions, and watch a video.  Tonight I’m teaching The Ten Commandments, where we’ll read.  I might play a short video. Then I want the kids to review an Examination of Conscience, a guide for Confession.  Kids remember what they do more than anything you say.  

A Little Tech….

 I teach Co-op classes in my basement.  I’ve always had to rig tech.  Instead of using a Smartboard or LCD projector on a whiteboard, I connect my laptop to an older TV with an HDMI cable.  You can use an adapter to connect an iPad to the TV, too.  Generally, once you connect the HDMI to the TV and device, the image broadcasts immediately to the TV.   If you have an iPad or touch screen tablet, you can write on an online whiteboard and display on the TV.  Below are the laptop and iPad connected to the TV and the iPad adapter.  (The calculator is GraphNCalc83.)

Algebra I Progress

 I’ll keep you posted about our progress in Algebra I along with a few topics and resources.  Here’s where we are now. The kids took their first test last week.  

Graph Matrices with TI 83/84 Graphing Calculators

The Algebra I class is graphing matrices next this coming week.   Rob plans to show the kids how to handle matrices (matrix singular) both by hand and on the calculator.  I haven’t done any matrices since I figured them out for Rob last year for Algebra 2.  Here is the most useful post I found.  I like screenshots!  We’re starting by adding and subtracting.  [A] + [B] or [A] - [B] instead of multiplying two matrices.  Yes, I had made a video!  Hope it helps!

Graph Histograms with TI 83/84 Graphing Calculators

The kids graphed histograms (bar graphs) on their TI83/84 calculators during Thursday’s class.   We didn’t calculate the statistics; we just graphed the histograms.  Here are instructions for entering the data, calculating the stats, and graphing histograms in the STAT function.  Try this guide to learn how to enter simple data and zoom in and out.  Yes, kids can simply draw bar graphs.  We’re trying to increase the depth of instruction by adding the graphing calculator exercises.