The Math Teacher's Toolbox

How to Teach Math to Teenagers and Survive

By (author) Nicholas J. Rinaldi

Not available to order

Publication date:

09 April 2013

Length of book:

100 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

ISBN-13: 9781475803556

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

As a teacher-educator with extensive experience in public education, I found Mr. Rinaldi's book to be a practical down- to-earth approach to help new and veteran teachers bring a fresh and interesting perspective to teaching mathematics at all levels. A must read for all who want ways to engage students to be motivated in mathematics.