Final Padlet Portfolio by Alayna Lee Gilliland

gillilal — 2024-07-20 05:27:48 UTC

Standard 6.EE addresses sixth graders ability to make sense of and solve equations and inequalities with one variable. Grasping the concept of variables and mastering the techniques to solve for them forms the cornerstone of algebra and mathematical problem-solving. Learning how to solve for variables and understand what they represent was the first concept that I remember finding exciting and beautiful in my own math career, so I thought I would explore it for this project. The standard is made up of four sub-standards. The first addresses the way a variable functions as a puzzle piece that completes the picture of an equation/inequality. The second emphasizes that variables are representative of unknown numerical values, and can be used as a placeholder or label for a missing value. In real-world problems, variables often represent unknown values such as distance, time or cost. Being able to write, reason, and solve equations (in real-world andmathematical contexts) of the form and is the third sub-standard. Lastly, the fourth sub-standard tackles inequalities in which variables have infinitely many solutions. Students are expected to understand that inequalities of the form and have endless solutions and how to represent them on number line diagrams. Overall, Standard 6.EE offers a clear framework for sixth graders to master the essential skills of working with variables, solving equations, and understanding inequalities, laying a solid foundation for future algebraic thinking.

Standard 6.EE: Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.

gillilal — 2024-07-20 05:29:45 UTC

Understand solving an equation or inequality as a process of answering a question: which values from a specified set, if any, make the equation or inequality true? Use substitution to determine whether a given number in a specified set makes an equation or inequality true.
Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an unknown number, or, depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set.
Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.
Write an inequality of the form x > c or x < c to represent a constraint or condition in a real-world or mathematical problem. Recognize that inequalities of the form x > c or x < c have infinitely many solutions; represent solutions of such inequalities on number line diagrams

Khan Academy: variables, expressions, & equations

gillilal — 2024-07-20 05:32:43 UTC

I would be remiss if I did not include khan academy as a strong external resource. This is interactive for students, clear, and easy to understand

Maneuvering the Middle: Teaching one and two step inequalities

gillilal — 2024-07-20 05:37:04 UTC

This resource has some beautiful bright visuals and great advice for teachers which discuss ways to address students who struggle with this standard

NMPED: Algebra Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities

gillilal — 2024-07-20 05:43:41 UTC

This chart was an excellent read. It pointed out some important aspects of teaching this standard that are often overlooked, such as, "Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Instruction" and "Multi-Layered System of Supports."

GeoGebra: Linear Inequality Generator

gillilal — 2024-07-20 05:48:19 UTC

This resource is excellent for students practicing solving for inequalities. Instead of having to make worksheets, students can generate a wide variety of inequality problems to practice with! It saves on paper and is fun to use!

gillilal — 2024-07-20 05:50:42 UTC

I stumbled upon this resource in my SED 414 class during my undergrad, and I thought it was brilliant. While it does not explicitly use variables (or even just one variable), it is an engaging way to introduce students to the concepts of solving for missing pieces to create a balanced product!

Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School: Prove it to Me!

gillilal — 2024-07-20 06:03:20 UTC

I really enjoyed all of the articles we read in class from this particular journal, so I found another one that investigates how students reason algebraically and what teachers can do to help them do so!

An Abundance of Resources

gillilal — 2024-07-20 06:22:29 UTC

The first and most notable thing that I learned while setting up this padlet portfolio is that finding and sorting through resources takes time and investigation. I did not include every article or resource I found while looking for them, but I went down quite a few rabbit holes trying to find relevant information which addressed standard 6.EE. There are so many math education resources out there! While it is absolutely incredible that the internet hold infinite accessible knowledge about how to teach math, it is also a bit daunting. With excess of information also comes the anxiety of choice. I do feel though, after exploring on my own for this assignment, that I am better prepared, and more interested in exploring all of the fantastic resources that exist for teachers of math!

Seeing Through a Students Eyes

gillilal — 2024-07-20 06:25:51 UTC

In making my own activities and resources for this portfolio, I was reminded how important it is to look at math from different perspectives. I have been doing high level math for so long, understanding one variable inequalities and equations is like second nature. For students learning this standard for the first time, this is not the case. If I want to be an effective and empathetic teacher of this standard, I must practice seeing this concept through the eyes of a student who may not understand. As I set up my activities, I challenged myself to think outside the box, and be creative with my explanations of concepts. Articles I linked in my resources such as Prove it to Me! and Maneuvering the Middle: Teaching One and Two Step Inequalities pointed out some useful misconceptions and quotes of student thinking that helped me understand students' perspective.

Understand Sub-standards

gillilal — 2024-07-20 06:26:20 UTC

When I was writing my introduction of the standard, I challenged myself to reiterate each substandard in my own words so that I better understood it. Writing about each individual aspect of the overall standard helped me focus on what I needed to research as I looked for external sources and created my own! I think writing about the standards cemented my understanding and mental organization of them. I would like to do the same with the other standards at some point in my life.

Enjoying Padlet

gillilal — 2024-07-20 06:26:59 UTC

I had never heard of or used padlet before this assignment, and I have come to really enjoy it as an educational resource! I can see myself making a padlet profile for my future classes and posting supplemental resources to it. This way, students who may need extra help have a curated resource to find it! I can also use it to post answer keys, announcements, practice problems etc. I most enjoyed that all of the information was on one page. I sometimes find canvas hard to navigate because things can easily get buried in links and pages, but padlet has everything laid out very clearly.

Math Chimp: Math Games

gillilal — 2024-07-21 19:09:09 UTC

I stumbled upon this site after submitting my Portfolio, but I thew it in because it is so cool! This website holds tons of interactive games that help students practice solving for equations and inequalities!

NYT Games Worksheet

gillilal — 2024-07-21 21:55:39 UTC

Here is a worksheet I created for students to use to practice their solving of equations and inequalities of one variable. I have noticed that many middle and high schoolers love the New York Times Games, so I am hoping by putting it in this context, it will be fun and engaging for students!