Charting cont'd

Today, we finished the charting activity by making a graph comparing the number of students on an IEP in the four lowest per capita income states. After we found the next three poorest states, after WV, we figured out the number of students on an IEP.

Even though this activity was more work, I enjoyed it more because it involved more math! We had to compare the per capita incomes of all the states to find the next three poorest next to WV. Then we had to do some basic math to figure out the actual number of students in each state on an IEP. We used those numbers to make our graph. I would use this kind of activity in a middle or junior high level to discuss how statistics become distorted. (An explanation based on our information is included with my graph.)

Overall, I greatly enjoyed these graphing activities. I am 99.9% sure they are going to come in very handy in my classroom one day!!

Charting

Today, we learned about making charts through the NCES website's creating a graph tool. We made a chart comparing the WV NAEP 4th grade math scores and the national average NAEP 4th grade math scores. I decided to make a bar graph, which turned out in our favor! In the bar graph, WV's scores appear to be keeping up with the national scores. Which is pretty impressive!
The graphing website is one of the best things I've gotten from this class so far. I plan on teaching middle school or junior high math, so graphs are going to come into play A LOT. This online tool is going to come in SO handy in my classroom. I will be able to assess my students' ability to create graphs. I am SUPER excited about using this in my class one day!!!

Teach Away!!

Our homework today was to design a graphic. At first I was confused and a bit aggravated because I thought Dr. Pierce was going to make us use Paint. BUT, he didn't! So I based mine on an old "quote" about teaching. Enjoy!!

PS . . . Finally

I have had some major trouble with PhotoStory. But, I think I finally have it all worked out and ready to go! Hope it works and hope you enjoy!!!

Catching Up

This isn't a good start to the semester for me. So I'm trying to play catch-up right now. Hopefully this link (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhtxwpv7_2ncx9c7db&hl=en) will guide you to my resume. It hasn't been updated in a while, sorry. I tried updating it today, but I don't have all the information I need, so that didn't work too well. =[

Well, I was going to upload my photostory, but there seems to be a problem. Seeing how it is midnight, I am going to try to figure it out in the morning!

Intel Education Tools

In today's class, we learned about the Intel Education website. I had no idea what this was before today, but I fell in love with it. I cannot wait to use the visual ranking tool in one of my units this semester! For my science methods class, I am doing a unit on dinosaurs, and this tool will come in very handy for a couple of lessons. I really like this tool for getting an idea on what students know (or think they know) about the subject before and after the unit is taught. I'm really excited about this!!

Need Help Already!

OK . . . one of my assignments in my Science Methods class is to prove I can keep an animal alive for at least one week. Unfortunately, mammals do not count. Our teacher has giant hissing cockroaches to give us. After everyone freaking out, she told us that if we want to buy a fish on our own and keep it alive for a week, we can. So I am buying a fish. But I've never had fish. What's the cheapest, easiest-to-keep-alive fish at Wal-Mart? =] Thanx!!