Donna Dubey, Winnisquam Regional High School, New Hampshire, USA has a great story to tell about using Sphinx in her Algebra 1 class. There are many messages in her text and you will be stunned by the photos of what her students achieved. Probably the largest Sphinxes ever built.
Access the story from the Do Tasks Work? link or the Sphinx Album link.
This is definitely worth a read.
Two new cameos this month.
- Triangles Around Triangles is a wonderful example of visual algebra. It can be tackled at a range of levels and includes content related to number patterns, linear relationships, quadratic relationships and the difference between two squares. No matter which level the task is used the focus is on seeing how the construction of the squares leads to the patterns and generalisations. More than that, the focus is on seeing these links in more than one way.
- Number Tiles begins with the addition of two three digit numbers to make a third. The challenge is to make that happen using only the digits 1 - 9. It may take 15 - 20 minutes to find a solution, and even teachers usually have to ask Are you allowed to carry?, but once achieved, the excitement is in finding more. The question How do we know we have found them all? leads into a search for pattern, forming hypotheses and the concept of proof?
Read about these Tasks of the Month in Task Cameos in the Iceberg Information link on the left, or click on a photo to go straight to printable information about the task. Add the printed files to your Cameo Collection. There is a cover page for your collection in the Iceberg Information link.
In the Maths300 eNews this month it was reported that several educators in Victoria's North-east and a colleague from Albury, NSW, met to workshop and discuss ideas about a building a network of Working Mathematically schools. An after school practical time together followed by a friendly meal. Now this is what I call a workshop!
The meeting was held at Bruce's home with the support of his wife Pam Nulty. It was also designed to integrate with the new Professional Learning Assistance Teams (PLAT) concept of the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV). Bruce comments:
An interesting bunch of people with a complementary mix of skills. The meal was great. When I went out to cook the barbecue they all stayed talking about maths stuff. We could have packed in more work last night but I am glad we stopped when we did. It was a Thursday night and sometimes "less is more".Teachers interested in PLAT in their area should contact Ian Lowe, MAV Professional Officer - but he can't promise this level of catering.
Our last price change was October 2004. Since then postage has risen several times and all of our suppliers have increased their prices. We must now change our pricing structure to allow for these increases. On July 1st 2007 the following changes will take effect:
- Listed prices will not include delivery charges.
- A delivery charge will be added to all orders.
- New price for Task Centre Package ... $2431 (was $2266)
- New price for Working Mathematically Curriculum Pack ... $3564 (was $3249.40)
- New Price for Library Kit for Home Lending ... $368.50 (was $357.50)
If you are thinking about finding your way into using Tasks and Maths300 to build a Working Mathematically curriculum, you will probably also be thinking about professional development to support the shift in vision. Our usual professional development fee (in Australia) is $1100 per day.
But did you know that if you purchase the Working Mathematically Curriculum Pack or the Task Centre Package that fee is substantially discounted.
See Resources/How To Order/Service, Products & Prices on the left for details.
Digital cameras are common in schools today and we are always happy to receive photos of your students using tasks. No doubt you have learnt something from the many already on site. If you shoot the picture over a shoulder, like the one of the home page (click on the Sphinx logo above), or in a similar way ensure that students can't be identified, there should be no problem about using them.
