The Home Page of
Michelle (Lowry) Brantley


Welcome! This page contains my work fromEMT 668, EMT 669, and EMT 670. I hope that you might find something that is useful for your classroom.


Last modified on March 17 , 1997
Send e-mail to me at: mmlowry@sage.coe.uga.edu
You can read about me here.

Comprehensive Examination -- Winter 1997


The essays and investigations below were created in EMT 669 with my partner Ashley LIttle. You might find something you can use.

ESSAYS



Essay One - "How much does a brick and a half weigh..."


Essay Two - An investigation of Napolean's triangle


Essay Three - The gingerbread problem


INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS



Instructional Unit One - Reflection Lab
Instructional Unit Two - Translations Lab
Instructional Unit Three - Rotations Lab
Instructional Unit Four - Square Root Lab
Instructional Unit Five - Functional Shift Lab


EMT 670 PROJECT


Details of my intended project for EMT 670 can be found by clicking here.

The following lessons and activities are meant to be used with a Pre-Algebra class. We are using the Merrill Pre-Algebra book, so most of the lessons are done in connection with that textbook. Keep in mind that "technology" means the use of computers and calculators in the mathematics classroom. My class only has access to TI-34 calculators and TI-81 calculators so my explorations will focus on the use of those two types of calculators. We also have a Macintosh lab, therefore the programs I will be using are Algebra Expresser, GSP, and Greatworks. Once again, this was developed with our school system in mind.


Introduction to the TI-34 calculators

The first couple of days, I like to get the students familar with how to use the TI-34 calculators. It allows them to get "comfortable" with the technology they can use every day and review the mathematics at the same time.

Explanation of TI-34 lab

"Getting to know your calculator" lab


Chapter One - The Language of Algebra

This chapter is a good time to get the students exposed to the TI-81 and its many capabilities.

Section 1-1 "Order of Operations"

Section 1-2 "Variables and Expressions"

Section 1-5 "Variables and Equations"

Section 1-10 "Inequalities"


Chapter Two - Integers

In this chapter, students are using both the TI-34 and TI-81 calculators to look for patterns.

Section 2-1 "Integers and Absolute Value"

Section 2-7/2-8 "Multiplying and Dividing Integers"


Chapter Three - Solving One-Step Equations

A brief section on finding area and perimeter of rectangles is introduced in Chapter 3. This is a perfect time to get the students introduced to GSP. The following is a handout you can pass out to students to introduce them to some of the basics.

An Introduction to Geometer's Sketch Pad

Section 3-6 "Area and Perimeter"


Chapter Four - Factors and Fractions

In this chapter it is important for students to become comfortable with exploring. They should be looking for patterns and also generalizing.

Section 4-2 "Powers and Exponents"

Section 4-5 "Greatest Common Factor"

Section 4-7 "Least Common Multiple"


Chapter Five - Rationals: Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers

It is important for the students to know how to use the "fraction" key on the TI-34 calculator. However, a much better approach to teaching how to add and subtract fractions is to let them enter the problems in the calculator and then figure out how the calculator gets the answer.

Section 5-6/5-7 "Rationals: Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers"


Chapter Six - Rationals: Multiplying and Dividing Rational Numbers

Once again, the technology can be used to work "backwards" and identify what steps were taken to arrive at a particular answer.

Section 6-3/6-6 "Rationals: Multiplying and Dividing Rational Numbers"



INDEPENDENT STUDY

This is where my other project begins. My EMT 670 project was much more work than I expected. Therefore, this project is a continuation of my 670 project.



Chapter Eight - Graphing Equations and Inequalities

This chapter provides an overview of linear equations. I like to spend the time having the students becoming familiar with the capabilities of both Geometer's Sketch Pad and Algebra Xpresser.

"Using GSP to graph linear equations"

"Using Algebra Xpresser to graph linear equations"

"Using GSP and Algebra Xpresser to study slopes and intercepts of lines"

"Using Algebra Xpresser to study perpendicular and parallel lines"


Chapter Nine - Proportions and Percents

This chapter deals with ratios, proportions, and percentages. I find this a wonderful time to expose students to the uses of the spreadsheet. This was designed for Symantec Greatworks, but could be easily used with any spreadsheet program.

"Worksheet for M&M lab"

"Spreadsheet lab for M&M lab"


Chapter Ten - Statistics

"Using the TI-81 to compute statistics"


Chapter Eleven - Probability

Because this chapter deals with probabilities, it is a nice time to show the students how to use their calculators to generate random numbers. They can use the calculator to simulate the toss of a coin or the roll of a die. The wonderful part is that you do not have to worry about dice or coins flying all over the classroom!

"Dice simulation activity"


Chapter Twelve - Applying Algebra to Geometry

The students should feel comfortable using GSP by now. This is a wonderful chapter for students to do lots of exploration!

An Introduction to Geometer's Sketch Pad - (if not used already)


Section 12-6 "Exploring the measure of the angles of a triangle"

Reflections Lab

Translations Lab

Rotations Lab



Chapter Fourteen - Applying Algebra to Right Triangles


"Finding square roots using GSP "




Mathematical Quote of the Day

Students should be exposed to the internet right from the beginning. A nice application is to have a student get the math quote of the day from this internet link. This site is provided by Furman University.

Math quote of the day!


Mathematicians of the Day

Here is another source students can access that gives a complete index on famous mathematicians. Once there, you can access the mathematicians that were born on that particular day. This site is provided by St. Andrews College in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Mathematicians index


Math Tables

This is a source of mathematics tables, formulas, etc. This was put out by David Manura. If you forget any of your mathematics formulas check here!

Math tables


The Math Forum

This site is devoted to the exploration of mathematics. It is great for mathematics teachers. Please check it out - it is presented by Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA.

The Math Forum


The Online Mathematics Dictionary

This site has all those important mathematical terms defined for you...just in case you forgot. It is presented by MathPro Press.

Online mathematics dictionary




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