Factoring

As I was working on deciding exactly what my students should know in each class I teach, I realized that factoring is extremely important in more than algebraic fractions.  I discovered a nice game on prime numbers and prime factorization that also shows factoring in a way students can see how prime numbers are used as factors.  It is Prime Smash by Panasonic  and Risupia.  This game has three levels where balls bounce up one at at time and you decide if they are prime numbers or composite.  If they are prime you tap and if they are composite you swipe the number to split it up, tap a prime or swipe a composite and you break it down till it has been totally factored. Sometimes the program splits a number into a prime and a composite or two composite numbers.  You have to think quickly when you play this game.
It has a nice fun facts sections that defines prime numbers, defines twin primes, shows emirps and Palindrmic primes, and talks a bit about how to distinguish prime numbers and how they are used for incription.  This is a free app and a really nice one.
I am having fun on the easy level learning to play the game.  I've tried the medium level but its a bit fast for me quite yet.  This game is actually lots of fun once you get the hang of using it and I can see having students play this game on a regular bases.

Preparing lesson plans

I am rewriting my lesson plans to utilize technology better.  One of the things I've done is to look at what I usually teach and divide the topics into units and not as a weekly thing.  Next I am breaking down the units into the concepts they really need to know to move on in Math vs trying to get through the chapters in the book.  Once I identify the concepts, I figure out what they should already know.  For instance in algebra 1 and 2, students will be using fractions with variables.  I know they struggle with finding LCM and GCF using only numerical denominators.  In order to find the LCM and GCF, they need to know prime factoring.  So my first unit in algebra 1 will be a review unit to cover prime numbers and prime factorization, LCM, GCF, expressions, and order of operations.  Simultaneous to breaking down things, I have been checking the iTunes Store for apps that can easily reinforce these concepts.  I am also going to set up work in Subtext and a couple other apps to ensure that they actually read material associated with the topic.  I want to make sure that any technology I use will further their understanding of math.  Tomorrow, I am going to review a nice game on finding primes.

Prime numbers

I keep hearing that we need to relate math topics to real life so students can see where the concept is used.  I had my 9th grade algebra I students go to Safari and research the answer to this question.  "How is prime factorization used in real life.  they found these answers.
1. Cryptography - developing and breaking codes
2. Internet security
3. Credit cards
4. Random number generators
5. breaking thing into parts
6. Magicians use them
I have a small class. Two of the students gave up on looking and one always takes her time.
This exercise gave them an opportunity to do research on a topic and find out more about real life.  I think I am going to integrate more of this next year along with having them write more.  My students score low on the writing and need to see you use it in other subjects.
I am hoping to do a bit of mind mapping on prime numbers on Monday.  It will help them develop some thinking skills they are low on right now.