Calculators in the Middle School

This is Part 2 of 3 (2 hour training session)

The Purpose of this Unit is to

(2) Solve real world problems using Pythagorean’s Theorem and a calculator

(3) Discuss the pros and cons about students using

calculators in the middle school classroom.

(Use references)(4) Formulate your philosophy about using calculators in the middle school classroom.

(1) Approximate the square root using the Classical Approach of Mathematics

Before beginning this Power Point…

Please take the

Pedagogy PretestPedagogy Pretest for Block 14.docx

8

Supporting Idea #6Number and Operations

MA. 8 .A. 6. 2

Restating the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards

Subject Area:Grade Level:

Supporting Idea/Big Ideas:

Benchmark:

Mathematics

Benchmark

MA. 8. A. 6. 2

Make reasonable approximations of square roots and mathematical expressions that include square roots, and use them to estimate solutions to problems and to compare mathematical expressions involving real number s and radical expressions.  

 

Approximate the Square Root using the Classical

Approach of Mathematics

Jon Davidson presents aLesson on the Classical Approach to

finding the Square Root of a Number.

Click on the black area to play movie.

Now you try! With a Partner

Approximate to at least 2 decimal places.

8521954.985

Approximate To at least 2 decimal places.

21

582576.421

Solving real world problems using

Pythagorean’s Theorem and a calculator

The Baseball Problem

http://math.about.com/od/pythagorean/ss/pythag_2.htm

The Baseball Problem

http://math.about.com/od/pythagorean/ss/pythag_2.htm

a² + b² = c²

(90)² + (90)² = c²

8100 + 8100 = c²

c ≈ 127.28 feet

From City to City

How far east of Santa Fe is Austin?

From City to City

a² + b² = c²

(400)² + b² = (700)²

160,000 + b² = 490,000

b² = 330,000

b ≈ 574.46 miles

From City to City Activity

With a partner and a calculator, try this activity which was found

online athttp://www.ms.uky.edu/algebracubed/lessons/PythagoreanTheorem.pdf

Think about how you might use this activity in your classroom.

Block 14 City to City Adaption.pdf

Calculators in the Mathematics Classroom

Calculators in the 8th Grade Classroom

What does the Literature Say?

Calculators in the 8th Grade Classroom

Imagine you are a part of the mathematics department at “Teach Write Middle School.”

As a group, you must decide to what degree you will be using technology in your classroom for both budgetary and academic reasons.

The principal needs an answer to this question by tomorrow noon.

Your choices, as a department, are:

1) less than 5% of the time

2) about 50% of the time, or

3) more that 95% of the time.

http://www.stroke.org.uk/images/hi_res/1576_question-mark.jpg

The Pro Group and The Con Group

To decide quickly (in the next 45 minutes), your department chairperson has decided that you should split up into two groups; The Pro Group and The Con Group so that you can review and consider the literature. The department chairperson has already found seven articles on-line to be read and reviewed.

Half the faculty in the Pro Group and the Con Group will be writers and the other half will be speakers.

Writer 1 and Speaker 1 Writer 2 and Speaker 2

Writer 3 and Speaker 3 Writer 4 and Speaker 4Pro Group and so on 

Con Group Writer 1 and Speaker 1 Writer 2 and Speaker 2

Writer 3 and Speaker 3 Writer 4 and Speaker 4

and so on After reading one article, Writer 1 will develop a 30 second defense for Speaker 1 to read. Writer 2 will develop a 30 second defense for Speaker 2 to read and so on.

Sample 30-second Defense

Dear Colleagues ~My partner and I have chosen to vote to use technology

less than 5% of the time Choose one about 50% of the time

More than 95% of the time

 We base our decision on both experience and what the literature says. For example, (State what literature says)________________________ _______________________________________________________________ We hope that you have the same position as we do.

Sample Ballot

Teach Write Middle SchoolBallot

Teacher’s Name ___________________________ Date _______________

I believe that we should be using technology at this middle school

____Less than 5% of the time ____About 50% of the time ____Over 95% of the time

Comments:______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

As a result of this unit, you should now be able to:

(2) Solve real world problems using Pythagorean’s Theorem and a calculator

(3) Discuss the pros and cons about students using

calculators in the middle school classroom.

(Use references)(4) Formulate your philosophy about using calculators in the middle school classroom.

(1) Approximate the square root using the Classical Approach of Mathematics