Practicum Week One: Experimenting with Strategies in Math

My associate teacher put me at ease rather early; his advice was simple: “this is a time for you to have fun and try out new things”.  It was exactly what I needed to hear, and the confidence boost that I needed.  In my first week, I experimented with traffic lights; these are assessment tools in the form of red/green/yellows as indicators of understanding. 

I have also implemented what I have always wanted to try: a balance analogy for equations.  I built a large (albeit rudimentary) model of a balance, which requires three students to operate.  I cut out X shapes, and Y shapes, used fun representations of number units (eyeballs, as Halloween was approaching).  We practiced ‘what you do to one side, you must do to the other’ to maintain equation balance.  This helped students ‘see’ why this well-known phrase holds true, and also provided a physical connection to simple mathematical operations.

In another twist on a common manipulative, I used human algebra tiles; students model solving equations by positioning themselves in the classroom as if they themselves were the tiles (each student holds a large paper tile to identify what they represent).  The human algebra tiles then act out the mathematical operations required to solve the problem.   Seated students have a good view of the equation and they assist the human tiles in their mathematical operations.  This approach was effective in consolidating the traditional algebra tile activity, as well as heightening engagement. 

I’m looking for some other highly kinaesthetic activity ideas.  Is there something you would like to share?  Please comment and let me know!  Happy teaching!