Middle School Math Moments (now Cognitive Cardio Math)

The third lesson in this chapter addresses area of a circle and is differentiated for process, product, student interest and readiness. The lesson has a menu of seven activities to give students a variety of experiences in finding the area of a circle. Each menu item is a different strategy for determining an approximate area of a circle, with the objective being that students understand the concept of area of the circle as well as the formula. Students were paired with another student, based on interests, strengths, learning styles, personality, and readiness. All students completed menu item number 7, and then each partnership was assigned 2 other menu items. If they completed these, they could complete as many of the other items as they had time for. The menu items/strategies were: 1) Count squares 2) Inscribe and circumscribe squares 3) The octagonal/Egyptian strategy 4) The simulated parallelogram – Kepler’s derivation 5) Find area by weighing 6) Measuring area

The last Wednesday of July already! I can't believe how quickly the weeks go by.  I've been working on so many different things, but what I'm most excited about is the new blog design that's coming (technically, I'm not working on it....but I'm working on thinking about it a lot!)  I hope you'll check back soon to see how it looks. An InLinkz Link-up

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So, I've spent most of the day working on an activity for school, fighting with the computer QUITE a bit! Suddenly, I felt the urge to take a break and try making these Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Bars . It's a recipe I found on Pinterest, and it uses coconut oil, which I have not used before (I do have coconut oil though, because I've intended to use it, but haven't gotten around to it...). I used dark chocolate chips rather than chunks...no chocolate chunks on hand. Anyway, my pictures are not as tasty-looking as the ones on the blog, but these bars are as tasty-looking as those blog pictures! Guess I'll get back to work soon.... What do you do when you need a break?

Happy Wednesday! Based on recommendations in the book, The Differentiated Math Classroom , I have been working on brainstorming a better daily plan for my math class. For any math teachers, I'd love to hear about the structure of your class/daily routine/etc. I have a 40ish -minute math period each day and each year I try to find the "perfect" way to use those 40 minutes....still searching, and my current brainstorming is leading me in a new direction...we'll see where I end up! An InLinkz Link-up

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