The Math Teacher's Toolbox

How to Teach Math to Teenagers and Survive

By (author) Nicholas J. Rinaldi

Publication date:

23 April 2013

Length of book:

142 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

Dimensions:

236x160mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781475803532

Whether you are a new or an experienced math teacher, The Math Teachers’ Tool Box provides guidance and serves as a reference book of topics, ideas, and resources. This book provides teachers with various tools to improve their classroom management skills, to actively involve students in lessons, and as a result, raise their interest level and improve learning. The ideas presented have been classroom-tested over many years and can be used in virtually any middle or high school classroom.

Introduction
Chapter 1:On Your Marks, Get Set…Establishing Expectations

Course Description
Getting off to a good start

Chapter 2: Put Me In Coach…Getting Students Actively Involved

Overview

Chapter 3:Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines…Opening of Class
Activities

Overview

Problems to introduce the next lesson
Problems to review a previous lesson
‘Real world’ math problems
Holiday problems
SAT prep questions
Brain teasers

Chapter 4:And the Children Shall Lead…Rinaldi’s Routine: Creating a
Student-centered Classroom

Procedures and Materials
Rinaldi’s Routine--- Student survey
Cooperative Learning---Student Survey

i
Chapter 5: Eureka…Inquiry Based /Discovery Lessons

Overview

Chessboard Squares

Properties of Exponents
The Triangle Angle Sum Theorem
Finding the Equation of a Parabola from Data

Chapter 6: “When Will I Ever Use This?”…Problems in the Student’s World

Overview

Circle Graphs
Scale Drawings and More
Meanest Kid in School

Chapter 7: He Who Laughs, Lasts…Humor in the Classroom

Overview

Math Riddles
Humorous Story Problems
Math Jokes
Wacky Definitions

Chapter 8: Calculate This!...Using the Graphing Calculator

Overview

The Open Box
Shortest Path Problem
Bones, Bones, Bones

ii
Chapter 9: The Pen Is Mightier Than the Calculator…Writing in a Math Class

Overview
Answer Completely

Read Carefully
Rapid Write
From Top to Bottom
Chalk Talk
Exit Slips

Chapter 10: It’s Game Time…Classroom Competitions

Overview
Student Survey

Tic-Tac-Toe
Station-to-Station
Bottleneck
Who Am I?/What Am I?
The Message Game
Team Tournament

Chapter 11: All Good Things Must Come to an End…Closing Activities
Chapter 12: But Wait! There’s More…Odds and Ends

Wait Time
The Consultant
Progress Report
New Year’s Resolution

iii

Assignment Sheets
Self Esteem
Monster Math
Thumbs Up
Test Time

Conclusion
Answers
Appendix

The Math Teacher’s Toolbox can best bedescribed as a referencefor the mathematicsteacher. In it, Rinaldishares the lessons hehas learned after morethan four decades ofteaching mathematics. Full of time-tested ideas for successfully managing a high school mathematics class, this book providesreaders with tips and suggestionsfor everything from grading homework toimplementing group work successfully. The Math Teacher’s Toolbox alsooffers readers many good strategies. Thispractical guide could be very helpful to anew mathematics teacher or to a veteranlooking for new ideas. . . .[T]his book contains enough solid information to make it a useful resource for any mathematics teacher.