Engaging tasks for 7th grade?

[Corinne Cristiani]

Hi everyone!

A quick introduction:  My name is Corinne Cristiani, and I have been teaching high-school math at a small private school in northern California for 10 years.  In the upcoming year, I will be teaching middle school, 7th grade Pre-Algebra, for the first time ever.

My question is rather open-ended.  Is anyone willing to share engaging tasks, lessons, or problems that you have found to be effective for 7th grade Pre-Algebra? 

Thanks so much for any ideas that you can give regarding any of these topics:  integers, fractions, decimals, percents, algebraic expressions, polynomial operations, solving equations, inequalities, exponents, proportional relationships, graphing and functions, intro to Geometry, area, volume, probability.

[Sue VanHattum]

I think you might enjoy Fawn Nguyen's blog. She teaches middle school math, and uses lots of problem solving.

Warmly,
Sue

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[Garske,Carla]

Hi Corinne,
Welcome to pre-algebra! Where are you teaching? I am in the Santa Cruz area.
First on my mind, MARS tasks, POMs, Fulton&Lombard resources ("Menu Math" to start), use of math journals, AIMS (from Fresno Pacific Univ.)
Have you ever attended the Asilormar Math Conference in Monterey? There are 2 teachers who have a great way of presenting info side-by-side, and I can't recall names at this moment but will send that to you when I can. Foe example, presenting equalities and inequalities at the same time in a comparison mode. Start with Terms, making zero pairs.
Good luck! 7th pre-algebra can be quite a challenge but SO much fun to see students get it all together!!

Carla Garske
SC/SVNTP Mentor
831.479.3812 (h)
831.252.3812 (c)
________________________________
From: mathteach...@googlegroups.com [mathteach...@googlegroups.com] on behalf of Corinne Cristiani [corinnec...@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 3:53 PM
To: mathteach...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [mathteacherscircle] Engaging tasks for 7th grade?

[Cynthia Martinez]

some good websites are
Kutasoftware.com  they are free worksheets and they are pretty good.

also KhanAcademy.org  they have good lessons for all levels of math.

I have only taught 8th grade algebra and above, but I know these websites have pre algebra things on them.

Cynthia Martinez

On Fri, Aug 10, 2012 at 3:53 PM, Corinne Cristiani <corinnec...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Sue VanHattum]

>also KhanAcademy.org  they have good lessons for all levels of math.

Well, they have lessons for all levels of math, maybe. 'Good' is debatable. I do point my own students there, since so many find it useful. But ... (google khan academy criticism or critique to see way too many posts describing the shortcomings).

Warmly,
Sue

[Sandy Hollenbeck]

Hi, Corinne,

I admit a twinge of envy.  I now teach high school math, but I miss the days of middle school math.  You have a great opportunity to engage and develop your students minds when they are open and eager.

I highly recommend joining Mathcounts Club. http://mathcounts.org/club  They have 5 or 6 short monthly competitions, but they also have wonderfully engaging lesson plans and even some supplies.  It's free to join, and if you do, you will gain access to past archives with more ideas.  If you have really strong students, you could look further into the competition level, but that wouldnt be necessary.

  A similar program is Math Olympiads moems.org.   It costs $100 or so to register.  Their flagship book, Creative Problem-Solving for Schools, has a variety of excellent lessons.

I know competition isn't the best fit for every student, but the MathCounts Club, especially, is pretty low key with lots of non-competitive activities.  There is also something to be said in defense of competition.  For some students, it is very motivating.  For most, it gives a reason for learning the concepts so that they can apply them in less routine ways.  Competitions have helped my students to learn how and when to use their math tools.  It's given them a great foundation for high school.

Godspeed, Sandy Hollenbeckk

Godspeed!

[Cindy Farmer]

Hi Connie,

I would suggest an NCTM membership. Their journal Mathematics in the Middle School is a wonderful source of problems, activities and now performance tasks. I look forward to receiving mine each month incorporate many ideas from it in my instruction.

I would also ditto Carla's suggestion of AIMS and MARS. Both have great activities and tasks.

Cindy

[Corinne Cristiani]

Dear Sue, Carla, Cynthia, Sandy, and Cindy,

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, and for all of your suggestions.  I have my work cut out for me!  I appreciate your thoughts, and your encouraging words.  I hope everyone is well rested, and optimistic for the new school year.

Take care,
Corinne