Math – Teaching with Technology

Fun, Ideas, Lessons, Math, Roanoke County Schools

Breakout EDU

Posted on October 16, 2016July 5, 2017 by Tina Coffey

This summer while attending ISTE, I learned about a cool new game for the classroom called Breakout EDU. Here’s a short video about it.

Since receiving my kit, I’ve played it four times–twice with my college students and twice with fifth graders. All ages loved it. For the fifth grade game, I used an adaptation of two of the games on the site (http://www.breakoutedu.com/). The game centered around missing iPads, and students had to use their knowledge of place value to decode the clues to find them.

There are many games already pre-made to use with the kits (for free) and I enjoy making them up too. I’m looking forward to playing with some first graders on Halloween!

iPad, Math, Roanoke County Schools

Decimal and Fraction Pic Collage

Posted on March 18, 2016July 5, 2017 by Tina Coffey

Mrs. Poindexter’s class used Pic Collage and Hands-on materials to compare fractions. Check it out!

21st Century Learning, Makerspace, Math, Roanoke County Schools, Science, STEM

Mouse Traps with 3rd Graders

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Tina Coffey

Mrs. Weikle’s class, with the help of Mr. Clark, visited the Makerspace for a STEM activity. They created Mouse Traps that contained at least one simple machine and one 3D shapes. Then they used Pic Collage to display their creations. Take look below!

Take a look at a few of their traps in action!

Cross posted at Oak Grove Digital Archive.

Makerspace, Math, Projects, Roanoke County Schools, SPED

Spheros

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Tina Coffey

The Oak Grove faculty was introduced to the school’s Makerspace at the faculty meeting last week. The project is still in the setup and learning phase, especially with the large influx of materials coming in. Part of my role in the project is to learn to use the new equipment and to explore uses for it that align with curriculum and STEM principles. The first piece of equipment that I’d like to introduce is our set of 5 Spheros. These are robotic balls that can be controlled and programed with iPad apps. They are great for real-life application of math skills, especially problem solving. One app, Drive N’ Draw, is a very simple app that can be used by younger students (even K and 1) with ease. Another app, Macrolab, allows older students to write simple programs that make the balls move in different directions, at different speeds, and with different colors. Changing speeds and colors requires division and percentages, and creating shapes allows students to practice lines and angles and other geometric principles. There’s a lot of math involved, and is appropriate for 4th and 5th graders. You can learn more here: http://www.gosphero.com/education/

21st Century Learning, Blogs and Blogging, digital storytelling, English, iPad, Lessons, Math, Projects, Roanoke County Schools, Science, STEM, Video, Writing

Lego iMovie Trailers

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Tina Coffey

Students in Mrs. Sharp’s and Mrs. Downey’s Math and Writing classes used Legos to practice skills! First, they created lego houses based on a STEM activity created by Mrs. Downey. They found the area and perimeter of each of the rooms in their houses, and made sure to include at least one simple machine and working light.

Lego Houses: