I've noticed that quarter 3 is always a tough quarter. Its the middle of Winter, not much sunlight outside and its also one of our longest quarters. So, I decided to try and incorporate quick and fun activities to the beginning and end of my algebra lessons. I researched a lot of math tricks and mind tricks that I thought my students would love. I first used the tricks as class motivators before my lessons and eventually turned them into incentives to earn for the end of the hour. The tricks, (most of which I find on youtube) have become such a hit in my classes that using it as an incentive for the end of the period has also helped in the classroom behavior in my room.
Nearly everyday my students walk into the room and immediately ask me if they get to do a "trick" that day or what the trick might be about. These tricks have also helped me create a better relationship with many of my students. It has helped me see that many of them love puzzles and all the crazy educational things you can find on the sites. Not only do many of the problems involve students to use a deeper level of thinking, but they also help them with their problem solving skills. We many times take the trick and turn it into an algebra problem and find out HOW it was done. I think this has sparked many of my students to create their own.
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