Building Great Math Lessons!

As a middle school math teacher, I am constantly trying to engage my students in real life problems that will captivate students.  It is much easier said than done.

Being a 'young' educator I constantly put pressure on myself to produce lessons that are above and beyond.  Sometimes I fail but I also succeed.

In the past year and a half of educating I have realized a few things
1. It is ok to go to bed without completely figuring things out for the next day
2. It is ok to take some time for yourself on a week night
3. It is ok to rely on the professionals for ideas of lessons
4. It is ok to fail because through these failures, you grow.

In addition to the 'it's ok' list I have learned a few things it's not ok to do.
1. It is NOT ok to not be prepared.
2. It is NOT ok to wing it on a daily basis
3.  It is NOT ok to constantly rely on others for YOUR teaching
4.  It is NOT ok to allow mistakes to become habits (a lesson my principal taught me)

So what makes me think of this over spring break?   Procrastination of planning my next unit? Ignoring the gaping holes in the 'kitchen' walls during a complete remodel?  Knowing I have to tutor in a little over an hour?  Having yearbook to design when only the front cover is done?  Well, yes to all the previous questions and some more.

This year, I stumbled upon Robert Kaplinsky's website and my life(and teaching) have been transformed ever since. The things he comes up with are amazing resources for a teachers and are amazing activities for students. It addition to Robert's lessons he also has some pretty great 'blog friends' as I call them.  The blogs that he follows are just as great as his.  If I had never found this resource, my list of does and don't probably would have never come about.   I highly recommend that any middle school educator checks out Robert and his friends.

Funny for the Day!

So ISAT testing is upon us and as I am sitting here watching the kids test and grading, I came across this gem on one of their quizzes...

To this I say...  Yes please!  Happy Monday!