More Radicals - Dealing with Extraneous Solutions
In this post, I discuss how I introduce extraneous solutions and how I have students explore them more with graphing calculators (although Desmos could be used as well). Resources are included.
Find Your Radical Error
A couple weeks ago, I gave my students a worksheet on things related to radicals. As I went through the sheets, I noticed a LOT of common errors; errors that I knew they shouldn’t be making. It could have been due to carelessness or rushing in some cases, but either way I wanted an effective way to address the errors. I decided to create a “Fix the Error” worksheet based directly on the errors I saw. Here is the original problem set and the “Find Your Error” worksheet, which worked out really well in class!
Polynomial Application Problems
Here are two of my favorite sets of Polynomial problems to be done at Vertical Whiteboards (VNPS). Each sets takes about two class periods.
1st Day of School “About Me” Pennants
Starting in 2021-22, I began using an “About Me” pennant to not only get to know students, but to also create a lasting memory of each student that I have taught - plus, it’s a really fun activity that immediately breaks the ice on Day 1 and makes a great ending on the final day of school!
Logarithm Curriculum Refresh Continued
We have been doing logarithms for exactly one week now, and overall I am happy with the restructured curriculum that I have been working on. Here is what I have done so far since my last blog post on Logarithms.
Exponential Thin-Slicing + Quiz Redos
Today we did real-life exponential task cards at the VNPS whiteboards where students wrote the equation of a function. Also, thoughts on redoing assessments.
Rethinking Logarithms
Due to Covid and Covid learning gaps, I am teaching logarithms in Algebra II for the first time since in three years and I am excited to finally get to this important concept!
Get Rolling with Exponential Decay
One lesson I really enjoy in my Exponential Functions unit is the “10-Sided Dice” lesson. Most Algebra teachers know about the M&M exponential decay lesson, where students get a cup full of M&M’s and roll them.
Exponential Growth is King
One of the big takeaways I want my students to remember about exponential functions is how powerful exponential growth is. It will outstrip linear growth ALWAYS. It grows faster than any polynomial.