There are many questions regarding teaching Mathematics to Middle School students. Please feel free to mention any topic that concerns you about math in middle school.
As a beginning point, I use a multiplication table for area and reducing fractions. Do you have other ways to teach area or fractions? How might I use the basic multiplication chart in other ways?

Welcome to our little world of math in the middle level. I look forward to the discussion.
Bob Spear
Executive Director

Thanks for your comments Bob.

Sandra, can you tell a bit more on how you use multiplication charts for area and fractions? TY.

When I use the multiplication chart transparency, I also have square paper transparency ready. First I identify the square numbers on the chart as an example 4x4=16. I draw the fact by shading in the squares on with a 4x4 square for the students to count the squares on the square paper. Then we try 3x4 or 6x8 and count the squares that make up the rectangles. Area is directly connected to the numbers on the multiplucation chart.

Edited by author 11-15-2007 06:47 PM
Greetings all...

Our school just secured a document camera and projector for use by our middle school math teacher... he and I brainstormed a few ideas on it use:

1) Project the graphing calculator so everyone can see the keys to press when learning new functions.

2) Showing homework (rather than having students write solutions on the board).

3) Demonstrating use of protractors (etc.).

4) Showing how to use manipulatives.

Anyone else have ideas that I can share with my colleague?

-- GLA

Can you interact with the document or is the image a still picture?

I wonder if folks could give me some ideas about how they approach math remediation in their schools. Where do you find time for these students to get more math, and what are the other students doing during that time? How do you avoid losing time from other things?

Thank you!

Sandra:

Basically, the camera is a "live feed" from your desktop to the wall... imagine the old opaque projectors... basically, the camera points at the desk from above, then whatever is under the camera is projected on to the wall.

-- GLA

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