Torn between two trains of thought and comic strips.

I have been having my students use Desmos quite often because it allows them to graph without knowing how parts of the equations provide information for graphing.  A fellow teacher of mine told me that his college professor had them graph everything because in the real world everyone uses a calculator.  I understand that but I also think students should be able to look at a graph and know if what they put in is actually close to what it should be.  Many students forget the exponent, the x or other term and it doesn't come out properly and they don't realize it is the wrong equation. 
The second thing I realized is that my students do not read much and may not have any idea how comic strips are put together.  So I did a search to see if I could find something on providing the elements of a comic strip.  I found a lovely document from Plain local school district that has the essential elements of a comic strip.  Since I assigned the students to create comic strips on a word problem and most of them are just putting the information on the frames without any characters, I realized they probably are not familiar with comic strips so I have to take a bit of time to build up background knowledge.

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.

Project based learning in Math

I like to assign two to three projects a semester to students as a way of finding out how much they know and if they are able to transfer their basic knowledge.  I found this website that has 6 geometry projects that integrates technology into the project and requires students to utilize their knowledge.
The projects run from one on vocabulary to creating art that uses triangles.  I like the ideas that I find on other sites because I do not always have the background to create my own. 
The first project listed is to sell geometry.  In other words, they will form marketing teams to cover vocabulary, shapes and use in every day life.  This could be done using a pamphlet, a movie such as one for youtube, perhaps even a presentation such as keynotes or a slide show. This one has quite a few possibilities.
Another project is for older students to create either a book, presentation, etc to explain geometry to younger students.  This would qualify as peer tutoring and a literacy activity for all students.  I think I may do something like this when my geometry students are finished with their comic strips.

Math projects and the ipad.

I keep looking for ideas to use the ipads in my Math class and I found one on the edutopia website.  Its actually for a trig class but I think with some adjustments I might be able to utilize the idea in other classes. 
This is a project for trig in which students create a video on certain apps showing how they solved a certain problem in detail.  This one requires students to use right triangle trig to calculate height of an object or the speed of an object.  The goal is to write-up their work so that it can be duplicated by other people.  In addition, students has certain questions they had to answer within their presentation.  The logic for this is that many times people have to create presentations for their job where they convey specific information.
I could easily do this same assignment in my College Prep class or with a bit of adjustment I could easily use it in geometry.  Students need to see the connection between real life and the math that we teach.

Quick and easy formative assignments.

I belong to several groups on google and someone shared this link for quick and easy formative assessments.  It has some really nice ways  to use formative assessments.  In addition most of these suggestions could easily be done on mobile devices.
One suggestion is using concept maps and on mobile devices any mind mapping app would work well.  Exit cards could be done by having students create QR codes with a QR code maker, write the answer on a white board and showing you.  The one minute essay could be done in an e-mail, a google doc, a word doc and sent to you.  I printed off the information to pin up on my bulletin board.
Over the weekend I hope to work with Mathtoons new create your own quizzes app for several classes.  I'll let you know how that goes.

Origami

Last year I had two Origami apps on my ipads. The other night at study hall, a couple of students asked me why I didn't have any origami apps on there.  It got me to thinking that even if I'm not using it at the moment in my geometry class, I should still have it on the iPads so students can do origami.  They can develop an understanding of the importance of lines, angles, polygons and triangles play in the creation of something in origami.  Furthermore, there are books that show how to origami to create three dimensional shapes. 
I just did a search for apps for making 3 dimensional shapes and this article popped up. It is a popular science article on the real world applications of origami.  I found it quite interesting and I can use it in my classroom when we study 3 dimensional shapes.  In addition I found this website that is already tablet ready.  It talks about different 3 dimensional origami shapes.  It has both the background on various shapes but it includes easy, medium and hard origami instructions.
The website has you use your finger to scroll horizontally, or up and down, etc.  It works beautifully on the iPad and perfect.  this is going on my will use list.

Race 2 Achieve final race.

Today there was a k to 12 assembly in the Gym where the councilor gave a talk about it being red ribbon week.  When he was done, I got to have my students race their mousetrap racers.  I even had one student who redid her race car because it kept traveling to the right.  We ended up having two runs.  Unfortunately, none of the race cars made it all the way to the finish line.  Several of them lost wheels during the run.  So after a short intermission where I told the kids they didn't cheer loud enough, the students fixed the wheels.  During the second run, only one made it across the line in about 11.5 seconds.  He was thrilled he won but kind of upset his car was 3 seconds slower than during practice.  The whole school had a blast and we awarded the winner a medal.  As soon as I can grab a couple of pictures from the tech dept, I will post them
This was an awesome experience and if you can do this with your students, I think it is well worth using it.