How to Play Before I introduce the problem, I pass out some Post-its. One pad of Post-its is enough for a group of students to try the problem several times. Attempt 1: I first ask students to fold the Post-it once in any way they want. Then, I ask them to count how many sides … Continue reading 29. Two Fold
Author: Joey Kelly
28. High Minus Low
How to Play When I introduce this problem to students, I don’t initially display the poster. Instead, I recreate the poster on a whiteboard using a 4 digit number supplied by one of my students. I start by asking a student for a 4 digit number.I sort their number from high to low and from … Continue reading 28. High Minus Low
27. Sphinx
How to Play Before I use this problem with students, I prepare lots of Sphinx tiles. If my students are working individually or in pairs, I print and cut copies of Size A from the handout. If my students are working in groups of 3 or more, I print and cut copies of Size B. … Continue reading 27. Sphinx
Let’s Play!
It’s been a while since we posted a new problem on Play With Your Math. But we’ve been playing! And we have several problems that we are excited to share. For (at least) the rest of the year, we plan to post a new problem at the start of each month. After you’ve had some … Continue reading Let’s Play!
Playing with CS Academy
This year, I'm going to be teaching one section of Intro to Programming. This will be my first time teaching any computer science, and it is definitely a bit outside my comfort zone. Fortunately, a colleague pointed me towards Carnegie Mellon's CS Academy curriculum. I appreciate that the course translates well to remote learning, and … Continue reading Playing with CS Academy
I love the #MathArtChallenge
I absolutely love the #MathArtChallenge! Here are some reasons why: These challenges are incredibly accessible AND considerably complex. Annie has engaged a wide audience in recreational mathematical thinking. In a lot of ways, this is exactly what we try to accomplish with Play With Your Math. Annie's warm and encouraging attitude sets the perfect tone. … Continue reading I love the #MathArtChallenge
Ceilings
Play With Your Math problems are designed to have low floors and high ceilings, but designing a task which has a high ceiling can be really complicated. Take, for instance, 18. X-Factor: Of all the possible numbers I could have chosen for this problem, why did I choose 12? Here are three reasons. To make … Continue reading Ceilings
Restorative Circles in My Math Class
At PCMI this summer, I gave an Ignite talk that I called "Beyond High Quality Math Instruction" that was about how/why I do restorative circles in my math classroom. Some teachers wanted to know more, and this is my attempt to elaborate. I am a math teacher who loves math and loves teaching. Being a … Continue reading Restorative Circles in My Math Class
PCMI Part 2: Pedagogy and Socializing
This summer, I spent three weeks in Park City, Utah as part of the Park City Math Institute (PCMI) Teacher Leader Program. PCMI is a teacher math camp of sorts, and is sort of like if PROMYS for Teachers and Twitter Math Camp had a baby. PCMI captures the intense but thrilling mathematical experience of PROMYS with the … Continue reading PCMI Part 2: Pedagogy and Socializing
PCMI Part 1: Morning Math
This summer, I spent three weeks in Park City, Utah as part of the Park City Math Institute (PCMI) Teacher Leader Program. PCMI is a teacher math camp of sorts, and is sort of like if PROMYS for Teachers and Twitter Math Camp had a baby. PCMI captures the intense but thrilling mathematical experience of PROMYS with the … Continue reading PCMI Part 1: Morning Math
Mister, is this right? 