Graphic organizers

I use Simple minds which is a free mind mapping app for the iPad as a graphic organizers for my students.  Today in Geometry, I had them start a new mind map titled Congruent Triangles.  We added two legs, one on Side-Side-Side and the other on Side-Angle-Side.  This way they have a graphic organizers as they work on the worksheet where they have to identify and then prove two triangles congruent or not congruent.
I am still figuring out how to do this particular worksheet using technology because I have them color each matching side or angle a different color.  This way it is easier to tell if all three sides match or if the angle is between the two sides so they can use SAS.  I've found in the past that if I just let them go ahead and identify the triangles without using the color, they do not take the time to look at the triangles and make more mistakes. 
We are just using a simple two column proof with statement and reason.  Since many of my students are classified as ELL, this simple proof gets them to practice their mathematical vocabulary and it allows them a chance to build a good foundation so when I move to a more complex proof, they can do it.

New use for mind maps.

I had my Algebra 1 class read the section on graphing linear inequalities.  Today, they helped me create a mind map so they can  use the organized information to help them graph linear inequalities.  I am having them practice reading the graphic organizer to help them interpret some pregraphed linear inequalities.  This is one way to help them learn and use the material.  I think for many students this is a way for them to organize the material they are learning in a way that can be easily referenced. 
I also had these same students try out the application Descartes Dots.  Most of them spent the time being frustrated because it is not like most games that they play.  The app gives them points for certain lines and they have to locate the points, then have the app connect the points.  When they have connected everything, they have created a picture.  It helps them become more confident using the Cartesian coordinate system.  They can see the x and y coordinates as they move an arrow across the plane. I am going to have them do this application again until they are more comfortable with it.  I remember that even when they graph on graph paper with a pencil, they get frustrated because they often flip the x and y values on the graph and it doesn't turn out right.

Mindmapping.

I had the students use simple mind to create mind maps and it worked quite well.  The students needed little instruction to create the map and it took them about 5 min to get the first part done.  Since the semester just started, I decided to have students create a graphic organizer for the topic such as quadratics, similar triangles, exponential and logarithmic functions and simple inequalities for 4 different classes.  The first part that was added was the material we covered this week.  For instance, the first offshoot for quadratics was one that dealt with graphing, x and y intercepts, vertex, domain and range, max and min.  As we go through the chapter, we'll add more offshoots until the whole chapter has been studied and mapped so the students see the whole picture.  About half my students are classified ELL so I am hoping this activity helps to increase their understanding of the concepts.
Simple mind is a free app that is so easy to use and seems quite intuitive for the students to use.  They really enjoyed using it.  I know this is not the only free mindmapping app but it is the one I am using. 

Mind-mapping and processes.

I need to start having my students create some sort of flow chart/mind map to show the steps involved in identifying the y intercept, x intercepts, vertex, max and min for Algebra II.  To show how to solve inequalities in Algebra I.  To create and apply ratios and proportions in Geometry.  I think a mind mapping application would be good for this as it would allow them to create a graphic organizer that would organize the material so that it is easy to understand the concepts.  I will be trying this tomorrow so we will see how it works.
I think I am also going to run an activity where I give out problems and they have to solve them on either a draw program or gloss. I find they get totally involved in the activity and discover time went by so fast. 
I will let you know how the mind mapping goes.

Interactive notebooks

I"ve been reading up on ways of creating and using interactive notebooks in Math.  All of the ways I"ve found use a composition book and foldables to create the notebook.  I know I am trying to use more technology in the classroom so I can avoid using more paper and have more things my students have to keep track of in class.  So I am wondering if I could use a book creator app or even ibooks author so my students can create interactive math notebooks.  I need to research this a bit more as I want students to be able to bring in their drawings and work and not just rely on what they can import from the internet.  I am also wondering if they can design something that flips or moves for the notebook. 
On a different note, I had my seniors start using mind map for sin and cos graphing.  The areas are altitude, shift both horizontal and vertical, phase, and frequency.  So far, it is going well.  The one thing I learned is that it takes time for them to use the mind map app right now and we are only going to be able to add one or two strands a day.
I am hoping to have my algebra 2 students use it beginning Thursday for finding linear equations.  I have to make it Thursday because some students took the initiative to download iOS7 and one or two got messed up so I have to spend part of today getting the iPads up to date, imaged, and running.

Mindmapping

I was doing a search for using mindmapping in Math to get more ideas for using mindmapping in my math classes and ran across this site called mathsrevision from Scotland.  It has nice mindmaps that can be used by the teacher in the classroom using a smartboard and each thought or point will appear one at a time as you click the screen. I am still experimenting to see how well it works on the iPad. 
Once I redid the way I entered my search parameters, I finally got more of what I wanted.  I found you can use it for problem solving and the website gave lots of nice mindmaps. 
I am going to try it with my Algebra 2 later today to see how it works for finding equations of linear equations from graphs, with the College Prep math class for trig and maybe with the geometry class for the basics. 
I downloaded a free mindmapping app and I'll report back tomorrow on how it goes.

2nd website and mindmapping

The second website I use is www.aaamath.com.  I often use it for my Algebra I or Pre-Algebra level students who need to practice various topics.  Today I'll be sending my students here to read and practice prime factorization.  This website has a topic, information on doing it, practice and often offers games.  My 9th graders tend to be much more focused in class when they have an iPad assigment.
I gave some thought to mindmapping last night and came up with a couple ideas of how to use it in my math classes.  So far the ideas are for geometry but its a start.
Mindmapping ideas
1.  Use it for classification of triangles.  The center topic of triangles has three arms.  One for angles, one for sides and one for both.  There are more arms off of each of those topics to list the type such as right, acute, scalene or right scalene.  Add more arms for the characteristics such as acute would have three acute angles, or right scalene might list must have a 90 degree angle with three different length sides.  A 30-60-90 degree triangle would be an example.
2.  Classification of quadrilaterals.  This would work the same way as the triangles one.
3.  Altitudes, bisectors, and medians.
This could easily be done on a mindmapping app on the iPad.  I use Simple Mind.  It is free and it allows you to use a different color for each branch of the map.  Students often remember color better than something in black and white.
I'll give some more ideas for mindmapping in a day or two.