PUT AWAY YOUR TEXTBOOK!  IT'S TIME TO DO SOME MATH!

INSTRUCTOR(S):  Mike Weidner, Nicolet High School, Glendale
GRADE LEVEL:  6-12

Get away from the traditional lecture-practice-homework-check routing, and provide a change of pace for your students (and for your!).  Seeing algebra concepts in different situations allows for deeper learning to occur, and is more engaging for students.  For more than a decade, the presenter has been finding appropriate ways to present Algebra concepts to reluctant learners.  What has emerged is a collection of data collection activities, graphing calculator activities, application problems, and mnemonic devices that help students really understand algebra.  Many activities can be scaled to help middle-level students build algebra readiness, and to allow for algebra review and reinforcement for students in an advanced algebra class.

This course promises no "magic bullets" that will bestow instant algebra mastery to students, but rather a variety of strategies form a variety of sources.  The graphing calculator can be used for many pattern-recognition and prediction activities, and will be taught with the novice user in mind.  (Graphing calculators will be provided for use during the course.)  New approaches to routing Algebraic activities such as factoring and solving equations allow students to build skills in these important areas.  The concepts of Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design also provide fresh and helpful ways to look at curriculum development.  Issues of equity will be addressed, as well as creative ways of assessing students and assigning grades.

Throughout the week together, all of the activities will be tied into content.  They are used to raise questions, teach content, and reinforce learning.  This course will not be a series of "activities for activities sake", but will provide participants both with many different activities and the ability to develop and/or locate many more.