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Monday Must Reads: Volume 59

As I’ve been prepping for my classes for next year, I continually finding myself referencing previous volumes of Monday Must Reads. This is just the inspiration I need to keep compiling these volumes in an attempt to capture the awesome ideas of math teachers on twitter! I hope you find an idea to use in your own classroom and at least one new math teacher to follow.

Monday Must Reads

Learning Student Names

Last year, I had such a hard time learning student names at my new school. After working at the same small school for six years, I was used to only having to learn the names of my new freshmen each year. So, the job of learning almost 140 new names all at once was more than a bit overwhelming. I love this flashcard idea from Richard Jones. I’m sad I won’t be able to use it this year because we don’t get access to class lists until the day before classes start.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Mr_JonesMath/status/1148059762053058560
 

Organizing Multiple Choice Questions

Druin shares a great way of using a binder to organize released multiple choice AP questions. I struggle with organizing released questions digitally, so I really like this paper-based approach.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/druinok/status/1148301326192979969
 

Area and Perimeter Open Middle Puzzles

John Rowe is back at it again with another inspiring Open Middle question.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrJohnRowe/status/1148107154076782593
 

Statistical Pursuit

Jenni Clarkin shares the brilliant idea of creating a course-based version of Trivial Pursuit. I can’t wait to see where she takes this!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mrsclarkin/status/1147964323450564608
 

Real World Example of Normal Distribution

This normal distribution photo from Mass for Shut-Ins recently went viral on twitter.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/gin_and_tacos/status/1147524402273300480
 

Delicious Pi Day Treat

Vicki Biarnesen shares a yummy non-pie treat for Pi Day.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/vickibteach6/status/1106169880766758918
 

Personal Prime

Emily Murdock shares her own “personal prime” that she was given by her university’s math department. How awesome is this?!?

Image Source: https://twitter.com/murdock_ms/status/1143553678311350272
 

String Art

Hula Hoop String Art = Gorgeous! Check out this beautiful piece of math art from NMMS_STEAM.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/NmmsSteam/status/1146188288019111937
 

Covalent Bonding with Tracing Paper

Usually, the ideas I share on these Monday Must Reads posts are all-mathy. But sometimes, I can’t resist sharing a science idea since I have taught sections of both physical science and chemistry in the past. This covalent bonding activity with tracing paper from Mr Shah is just too good not to share!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/SuperShah_/status/1146096655407767553
 

Circle Theorem Task

Jo Morgan shares a lovely circle theorem task from @HoneywillTim.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mathsjem/status/1145739557146648577
 

Notice and Wonder

I love this notice and wonder prompt from Amie Albrecht. Once you’ve taken some time to ponder the number placement, check out the next image.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/nomad_penguin/status/1145488174413541376

What Can It Be? Quadrilateral Task

Amie also shares a lovely quadrilateral task she picked up at a conference from Doug Clarke.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/nomad_penguin/status/1144787126694760448
 

Student Created Puzzles

I’m blown away by these student-designed puzzles shared by Kristina Danahy!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/kqb/status/1144696055797362688
 

Weekly Newsletter Template

Mrs. Norwine shares a great template for creating a weekly class newsletter at the secondary level.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrsNorwine/status/1144378310706827265
 

Putt Putt Project

This mini putt-putt project from RiaMcNicholls looks so fun!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Calculusbonita/status/996393359102144512
 

Yarn Parabolas

Check out these sticker and yarn parabolas from Leanne Holdorf.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/lrholdorf_math/status/432181935931006976
 

Zukei Waffles

Jennifer Plosz combines one of my favorite puzzles with one of my favorite breakfast foods. These Zukei waffles are fabulous! (Read more about Zukei puzzles here.)

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MindsEyeMath/status/1143321284102672385
 

Picture Equations

Charlotte‘s use of picture equations with these area problems is BRILLIANT.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mrshawthorne7/status/1143217656402780160
 

Antiquated Math Terms

Sheena shares an interesting opener from Jo Morgan of antiquated math terms. Check out the answers here.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Sheena2907/status/1142393254496886785
 

Calculator Pi Day Fact

Vincent Pantaloni shares a fun fact to store away until Pi Day.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/panlepan/status/1142698280436011011
 

Classroom Venn Diagrams

Crystal Frommert makes venn diagrams personal to students by including them (and their pictures) in the data sets.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mrs_frommert/status/1073693234801438720
 

Asymptote

And, I just can’t get over Crystal‘s tote. So creative!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mrs_frommert/status/1134473466781020161
 

SOMA Cube Races

Melissa Vatalaro inspires with giant SOMA cube racing.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MelissaVatalaro/status/1142097934596673536
 

Showing Work with Post-It Notes

Mr. Law offers a great idea for using post-it notes to help students organize how they are showing their work.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Cult_of_Mr_Law/status/991509516670746624
 

Graphing Stories Around the Campfire

I especially like these activities from Mr. Law to make graphing stories interesting and engaging!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Cult_of_Mr_Law/status/1129949303227576320

Mario Kart Graphing

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Cult_of_Mr_Law/status/1138274237691572224
 

Super Panda Square

How cool is this Super Panda Square from Crooked River Math Teachers’ Circle?!? You can learn more about Panda Squares here.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/CrookedRiverMTC/status/1141363886173696000
 

Scale Model Project

Check out this cumulative project from Chelsea Cleveland‘s 8th grade class!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/mathemachic/status/1140929146790588416
 

Real Number System Venn Diagram

Kelli Hunt‘s out of the ordinary integer assessment looks like a lot of fun. So creative!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/khunt
 

Scale Factor Project

Mrs. Anthony engages students with a fun scale factor project.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrsH_Anthony/status/599247931548504065
 

Smarty Pants

Emma Hall shares a non-traditional item of classroom decor: smarty pants.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/hall_emma17/status/1042494674894770181
 

Parallel Lines and Transversals with Noodles and Marshmallows

Seventh Grade Math is a lot of fun when learning about parallel lines cut by a transversal involves noodles and marshmallows.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Gms7thGradeMath/status/1113267029849538560
 

Desmos Circle Art

Check out this beautiful Desmos Circle Art from the students of Mrs. Strebe!

Image Source: https://twitter.com/MrsStrebe/status/1103724128694165504
 

Alphabetical Area Problems

JoAnn Sandford shares a great composite area puzzle involving the alphabet.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/joann_sandford/status/1137010704094023680
 

Fibonnaci Decor

Micaela Newman shares some Fibonacci-inspired classroom decor.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/AltMath/status/1139293038717497344
 

Math Art Display

I love how Tim has decided to set apart a section of his classroom to display math art.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/ciampatj/status/1138088175010799616
 

Until next time, keep sharing your awesome ideas!

Want even more ideas? I suggest checking out previous volumes of Monday Must Reads!  

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