Monday Must Reads: Volume 56

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Yes, I know that yesterday was Monday. But, I’m reaching that point in the semester where I am in deep need of motivation and inspiration. So, I figured I should compile a new volume of Monday Must Reads – a weekly-ish round-up of Twitter awesomeness to get my brain running with new ideas. And, we’ll just pretend that it’s Monday, okay?

Without further ado, let’s look at the awesomeness you guys have been sharing!

Mom’s Fridge Rubric

Gnlybe shares an awesome rubric based on Mom’s fridge. LOVE this!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/gnlybeorypure/status/1120695699677634561
 

Surface Area with Cereal Boxes

Katie Reneau deconstructs a Cheerios box to illustrate surface area. Brilliant!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/klreneau/status/714849736029655040
 

Human Parabolas Activity

Steven Korney shares an awesome photo from Steve Szabo‘s classroom of students creating human parabolas.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/sh_korney/status/1096512551221891073
 

Pi Day Passport

Megan Geltner inspires with a Pi Passport idea. Perfect if you’re already thinking about how to celebrate Pi Day 2020!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrsGeltnerVHHS/status/1097496314609324034
 

Combining Whiteboards with Desmos

Robin Kubasiak shares a great idea for combining low-tech whiteboards with high-tech Desmos.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/KubasiakRobin/status/1120374014332014593
 

Create Your Own Arithmetic Sequence Puzzles

Tori Cox had her students create their own geometric sequence puzzles in the style of Naoki Inaba. Check out his arithmetic sequence puzzles here.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/ToriTeachesMath/status/1119257087467556864
 

Faculty Art Submission with Desmos

Ella Hereth inspires with her faculty art submission.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsHereth/status/1119328696379289605
 

Cartoon for Memorizing Quadratic Formula

Artistic skill obviously runs in the family. Check out this comic that Ella had her father draw for helping students remember the quadratic formula.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsHereth/status/1118235359157026816
 

Self-Paced Elementary Math Program

Jennifer Abel shares an intriguing peek into a self-paced fourth grade math program. Very interesting!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/abel_jennifer/status/1118943864881020930
 

Create Your Own WODB Puzzles for Polynomials

I love these Which One Doesn’t Belong? Polynomial Puzzles created by the students of Megan Moss!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/missmoss201/status/1118926669941809154
 

Inspiring Physics Word Wall

There’s just something about this word wall from Tiffany Taylor‘s physics classroom that really speaks to me.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/treddtaylor/status/690691945060892672
 

Blood Drip Trig Waves

Want to get students engaged in trig graphing? Angela Novack gets students’ attention with blood drip trig waves!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Angela_Novack/status/862671089461325824
 

Pinch Cards for Formative Assessment

Amy Parlette shares a great way to use “Pinch Cards” in the classroom as formative assessment.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Math_DrP/status/1099012562497220610
 

Piecewise Function Christmas Trees

Katie Syvrud gives students some extra practice with graphing piecewise functions. It’s never too early to start thinking about lesson plans for next December, right?

Image Source: https://twitter.com/KatieSyvrud/status/1075950114441756672
 

Desmos Radicals Potluck Activity

Teaching how to graph radicals? Check out this Desmos Radical Potluck task from Paul Jorgens!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/pejorgens/status/1118607223695876096
 

Desmos Parabola Potluck Activity

Check out this Parabola Potluck, too!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/pejorgens/status/968908804409540608
 

Equivalent Radicals Sorting Activity

Paul also shares a great human sorting activity involving equivalent radicals.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/pejorgens/status/1103076011464261633
 

Function Family Posters

I love how Amy Bowden hangs more than just one example of each function family on the wall for students to reference.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsBowden314/status/1053275034737872896
 

Classifying Polynomials Sticky Wall Activity

Also from Amy Bowden, check out this cool “Sticky Wall” for classifying polynomials. This could be used for so many different topics!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsBowden314/status/1094066380893274112
 

Constant of Integration Reminder for Students

Do you teach calculus? Are you tired of students leaving off the plus c from their answers?

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsBowden314/status/1098404456268529665
 

Christmas-Themed Parabola Graph Matching Activity

This Christmas-themed parabola activity from Math with P. Nik is too good to not share. I’m afraid if I wait until closer to Christmas that I will forget about it!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrNiksMathClass/status/1070648665155559430
 

Elastic Band Puzzles

If you’re too impatient to wait for Christmas, check out these elastic band puzzles.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrNiksMathClass/status/1106497179127025664
 

Ellipse and Parabola Art Project

Check out this application of ellipses and parabolas in redesigning the FIFA World Cup from St Macartans Tech Dep.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/techStMacs/status/1090959699279822848
 

Quadratic Graphing Competition

Speaking of parabolas, check out this parabola themed contest from John Eagen.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/drjohneagen/status/1106151286251159554
 

Life Sized Mancala Game

Claire Verti shares the idea of playing a life-sized game of mancala. How fun!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/ClaireVerti/status/1117970776873848833
 

Rational Exponent Rotating Paper Activity

Jason Kissel shares a rotating practice structure for practicing with rational exponents.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrKisselMATH/status/1098976915082436611
 

End of Year Engaging Test Review

Ms Aguilar shares a strategy for keeping students engaged during end of year testing and review.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Ms_Aguilar_Math/status/1118133138746691586
 

Compound Interest Car Buying Activity

Ben Kase transforms his classroom into a car dealership/bank/credit union to make math come alive.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Coach_Kase/status/1118140482478071809
 

Pi Day T-Shirt Idea

Becca Phillips shares an awesome pi day t-shirt idea from her daughter. Sadly, 2020 doesn’t appear until 7000 digits into pi…

Image Source: https://twitter.com/RPhillipsMath/status/1103841210177937409
 

Triangle Mosaic Math Art Project

Samantha Cruz shares some beautiful triangle mosaics!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/cruzteach/status/1117470806597099530
 

Learn to Use a Compass Mini Project

Megan Sheffield‘s students impress with their projects that resulted from learning to use a compass.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MeganLSheffield/status/1100853176826097664
 

Desmos Test Mode Explanation

Marty Cardenas shares a great graphic for explaining Desmos Test Mode to students.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MartyCMath/status/1108850777035075587
 

Triangle Inequalities Exploration Activity

Casey McTeach shares a great visual manipulative for investigating triangle inequalities.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/cmmteach/status/1116098273251430400
 

Linear Relationships War Activity

Amie Albrecht shares an awesome linear relationship war activity.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/nomad_penguin/status/1116543339862454272
 

Magnetic Plicker Storage

This magnetic plicker storage idea from Victoria Saldiveri is beautiful.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Mrs_Saldiveri/status/1116396006348939265
 

Explicit vs Implicit Formulas WODB Activity

My students really struggled with explicit vs. recursive formulas this year, so I’m looking forward to trying these ideas from Jessica Strom next year.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/strom_win/status/1116402693814329346
 

Helpful Anchor Chart Example

MrKitMath shares a photo of an anchor chart which his students found to be very useful.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrKitMath/status/1116050673362251778
 

Origami with Trig Functions

Paula Beardell Krieg shares some origami that produces beautiful patterns with trig functions. So inspiring!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/PaulaKrieg/status/1104419563964375040

Pi Symbol Decoration from Pi Day Coloring Sheets

Yet another pi day idea from PGCPS Secondary Math to file away for next year! Great idea for decorating with some pi day coloring sheets.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/PGCPSMSHSMath/status/1106210042611748864
 

Hula Hoop Venn Diagrams for Prisms vs Pyramids

Diane Viola shares an example of building venn diagrams with hula hoops.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/wrmathteach/status/983738864002007040
 

Using Manipulatives to Model Linear and Non-Linear Functions

L Zora demonstrates how to use manipulatives to model linear and non-linear functions.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/ElzoraWatkins/status/1098935589133565952
 

Desmos Logo Design Graphing Contest

This Desmos-based logo contest from Lukas Hopper looks fun!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/thisismrhopper/status/1064538697490751489
 

Price is Right Contest for Area Approximations

Chris Ozarka shares a great idea of combining The Price is Right with calculus!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrOzarka/status/1113156296608542720
 

Equivalent Fractions with Chocolate Bars

Meredith Hornsby explores equivalent fractions with different sized chocolate bars. Yummy!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/OGMrsHornsby/status/1113135100223516672
 

Logarithms April Fool’s Day Lesson

Teaching logs soon? Check out this approach from Ross Andress. How would your students respond? What a memorable April Fool’s Day Lesson!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/AndressMath/status/1112819833614340097
 

Functions on the Floor Curve Sketching Activity

Erick Lee shares an awesome functions on the floor activity. I definitely want to make some versions of this for Algebra 2 and Pre-Calc!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/TheErickLee/status/1113060827429363712
 

Tick Boxes for What if…? Questions

Dr Kristy Turner shares an idea of using tick boxes for “What if…?” questions that could be easily applied to the math classroom as well.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/doc_kristy/status/1112665665922625537
 

Rational Function Graphing Challenges

Dawn shares some rational graphing challenges. I love the idea of giving students different pieces of information for different challenges.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/DawnRecentio/status/1111628330703433730
Image Source: https://twitter.com/DawnRecentio/status/1110921962870710283
 

Angle Art Project

Janelle Praill shares some beautiful student artwork based on angles.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mrsjpraill/status/1108509125829259264
 

Tessellation Mural

Stephanie once again shares a beautiful math-based art project to blow us all away.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mrswoldum/status/1111717676286726146
 

Pi Day Character Contest

Cheryl Tavernelli shares a winning entry in a Pi Day Character Contest. What would your students come up with?

Image Source: https://twitter.com/CTavernelli/status/1106271098612711425
 

Pizza Price Comparison Lesson

I love the props for this pizza based lesson from Sarah Lombardo!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Lombardo_i3/status/1111280812354424838
 

Systems of Equations Clothespin Review Activity

Madi Roberts shares a creative review activity for systems of equations.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrsRobertsACHS/status/1110913950777004032
 

Simon Says with Function Types

Lauri Springer combines Simon Says with function types to get students up and moving in algebra class.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsSpringer16/status/1110987798654406657
 

Geometry Kite Project

Ms Skudder shares some fun looking geometry projects.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsSkuddersClass/status/875325863386021889

Geometry Mini Golf Project

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsSkuddersClass/status/875325863386021889
Image Source: https://twitter.com/MsSkuddersClass/status/875326130219352065
 

3D Printed Compasses for Dry Erase Boards

Tim Wilhelm shares the brilliant idea of 3D printing compasses for dry erase boards.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/twilhelmGMS/status/930493508926009344
 

Dry Erase Clipboards

Another great idea from Tim is dry erase clipboards!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/twilhelmGMS/status/971441723896459267
 

Digits of Pi Photograph

And, check out this awesome photo day opportunity for Pi Day!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/twilhelmGMS/status/1106321141260578818
 

Quadratics Lesson Starter: Will it Hit the Hoop?

Solenne Abaziou shares a great image found in the wild for discussing trajectory models.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Abaziou/status/1105940699705413632
 

Balancing Triangles on Centroid Activity

Cindy Worthington shares a great hands-on application activity for centroids of triangles. It’s magic. No, it’s math!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/bchsworthington/status/798573986648993792
 

Formative Assessment with Sticky Notes

Pam Wilson always inspires with her commitment to formative assessment in the math classroom.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/pamjwilson/status/1110717746038358021
 

DIY Fraction Ruler

Geoff Wake shares some instructions for creating a fraction ruler from a Japanese textbook. My mind is officially blown.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/geoffwake1/status/1103340618250678274
 

Animal Size Graphic to Spark Mathematical Conversation

Toby Russo shares a great image from National Geographic for sparking mathematical conversation.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/tobyrusso/status/1107222243224936449
 

Displaying Desmos Artwork

Heather Kohn shares a strategy for displaying student Desmos artwork in the classroom.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/heather_kohn/status/1109672574152331264
 

Dice Activity for Visualizing Exponential Decay

Ralph Pantozzi shares an activity for helping students visualize exponential decay.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mathillustrated/status/1107526318218989568
 

Mathematician Dress Up Contest for Pi Day

Sorry for all the Pi Day ideas. This is what happens when the last Monday Must Reads was published at the beginning of March and it’s now the end of April. But, I must share this mathematician dress-up contest idea from Renita Bushell. Can you guess the mathematicians?

Image Source: https://twitter.com/TidyClassroom/status/1106238154854592514
 

Crowd-Sourced Answer Key

I love this idea of having your students crowdsource an answer key. Check out this google doc from Jorge Jacquez.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/alge_bruhhh/status/1073755954477453312
 

Unit Circle Walk Activity

This Unit Circle Walk from Anna Vance looks like a lot of fun! I’m already thinking of ways to turn this into an activity when I teach trig next year. Maybe have rounds where students win a piece of candy if they land on a radian measure that has a sine of 0 when the music stops?

Image Source: https://twitter.com/TypeAMathLand/status/1105895026566094848
 

Inequalities Stained Glass Window Poster Project

I’ve seen stained glass inequalities activities before but never with such a large scale. Check out this project from Rhanna Math. This would make some beautiful room decor!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/rhanna_math/status/818874184042508289
 

Panda Squares Torus Puzzle

David Butler steps up Panda Squares another notch by asking students to explore torus solutions.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/DavidKButlerUoA/status/1105670102442106880
 

Polynomials WODB

Dana Harrington shares a WODB for polynomials.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/HarringtonWMC/status/1105475998353686529
 

Volume of Cylinders Exploration Activity

I love how Rockstar Math Teacher decorated her cylinders for this hands-on exploration of volume of cylinders. The bright, happy colors make my teacher heart happy.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/RoxyGirlTeacher/status/1105301152726376449
 

“Find Your Match” Trig Identity Activity

I like this introduction to proving trig identities activity from Meghan Arnold. So stealing this for next year!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrsArnoldPlus1/status/1105147242204356609
 

Larry Bird Birthday Celebration

Jamil Siddiqui inspires with an annual celebration of Larry Bird’s Birthday in AP Calculus.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/jamilsid312/status/1071086869507727361
 

Compound Inequalities Old Maid Game

Jenna Morrison‘s idea to play Old Maid using inequalities is brilliant.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/morrisonmath1/status/529076592287297536
 

Secret Memory Potion Statistics Lesson

A secret memory potion? Check out this stats lesson from the MVHS Math Department.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MeteaMath/status/1104105120697077762
 

World Math Day Celebration

Zenned Math shares a way to celebrate World Math Day. Did you even know that was a holiday?

Image Source: https://twitter.com/zennedmath/status/1103831472367198208
 

Sierpinski Triangles Exponential Growth and Decay Art Project

Dorothy Nelson shares a crafty way of looking at exponentials. These would make beautiful classroom decorations!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/tnelly91/status/1103773831662047232
 

Go and Find Polynomials (Factoring/Solving) Activity

I love how Alexia DeLuca modified the Go and Find activity featured in a previous Monday Must Reads to practice factoring/solving polynomials!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mathmrsdeluca/status/1103690957827043330
 

Apples to Apples Game with Graphs and Variables

Katherine Muelling combines the fun of apples to apples with graphs and variables.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Kate_Muelling/status/1103367237665083392
 

Math Flips String for Converting Radians and Degrees

Stacy Winters offers up a great idea for getting students thinking and talking about radians.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/itshappening24/status/1102762378591170560
 

Giant Triangle Trig Task

Cindy Klages put trig to the test with a giant triangle for students to solve.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/CRKlages/status/1083177089954705410
 

Impossible Triangle Task

Shelby Cameron offers up an impossible challenge to give your students. Just don’t tell them it’s impossible! 😉

Image Source: https://twitter.com/SCameron220/status/976267381088669696
 

Teaching Angle Relationships with Cats Cradle

FrostMath54 shows how to use the classic cats cradle game to teach angle relationships.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/FrostMath54/status/1093173633273511937
 

Trig Murder Investigation Activity

Tricia Leong‘s students set out to figure out who killed Bugs Bunny using trig. How fun!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/LeongMath/status/1100439401220530177
 

Sticker Polls

Marx Advincula shares the idea of using sticker polls on the first day of school. This could be useful throughout the school year as well.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MarxTeach/status/1029490589522255873
 

Conic Section Playground Design Project

Catrine‘s students not only designed playgrounds based on conic sections, they presented their creations to a 3rd grade class for feedback.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/_gmdc/status/1058484574311845888
Image Source: https://twitter.com/_gmdc/status/794241631234957312
 

Graphs of Trig Functions Two Truths and a Lie Activity

I really like how Catrine provided students with trig graphs inside sheet protectors for this two truths and a lie activity.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/_gmdc/status/1100387629332344832
 

Polar Graphing Art Project Wall of Fame

Check out Mr. Rich Fochtman‘s Polar Graphing Wall of Fame.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrFochtman206/status/989916069455425536
 

Inverse Trig Functions Error Analysis Activity

Rachael Gorsuch reminds us of the power of giving students both right and wrong answers to analyze.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/rachaelhgorsuch/status/1067928780881215494
 

Zombie Tag for Modeling Exponential Growth

Ethan Weker recommends Zombie Tag for investigating exponential growth.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Ethan_MidPen/status/1102645285052866560

Until next time, keep sharing your awesome ideas!

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2 Comments

  1. My 6th graders are working hard on the 2019 Challenge…..is it possible to find expressions for all of the numbers?

  2. I m so glad to visit this blog.This blog is really so amazing.Thanks for sharing with us.

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