Brightstorm Algebra Lesson Videos

Here is another algebra lesson video resource list. Again these are videos of a real classroom lesson. These are more dry than the yaymath videos but they also are a bit more high tech and go into further depth. I think students might have more issues with attention in watching these videos, but they do illustrate concepts well and provide multiple examples. I would probably use the yaymath videos in class over these, but this list covers a wider variety of topics than yaymath currently has. It is a more exhausting list of algebra concepts so I can use these when yaymath doesn't cover it. Again, I would use these in cases where students are having trouble grasping a particular concept, or perhaps assign them to watch one as homework.

Here is the link to algebra videos: http://www.brightstorm.com/math/algebra/

Here is a sample video:
http://www.brightstorm.com/math/algebra/factoring-2/difference-of-perfect-squares/
Difference of Perfect Squares

Algebra in the Real World Movies

Here is another fun video resource for anyone to use. These are a set of videos depicting how various algebraic concepts are used every day in the real world. I like how they apply algebraic concepts to answer the age old question, "when am I going to use this?!". It will also be useful in class to show students various real world applications of what they are currently learning!

Here is the site: http://www.thefutureschannel.com/algebra/algebra_real_world_movies.php

And here is a sample video on how environmentalists use exponential equations to save the endangered black footed ferret. http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/realworld/the_blackfooted_ferret/

YayMath! Algebra Instructional Videos

I already posted 2 videos, but I found a neat website that has video lessons for tons of algebra 1 topics we will cover. It's basically just a video camera peek into another math classroom so there are students answering problems too. Hopefully students and parents can use this if they're stuck! I like how goofy and fun the teachers in the video are, it makes listening to them quite entertaining! I might use these in class if a certain topic is not sinking in, to help reiterate and approach from possibly a different angle to aid learning.

Here is the website, http://www.yaymath.org/video.html

Here is a sample video on Perfect Square Factoring.

Student Resources

Here are a list of resources for students to use in understanding content:

1.) Algebra Math Lessons and Activities-- Organized by Big Ideas

2.) Algebra Math Lessons-- Very easy to understand, breaks down Big Ideas

3.) Algebra Dictionary-- What does such and such mean?!

4.) Math Forum-- Look at previously answered questions for help or ask your own!

5.) Algebra Games! Fun and Informative!

Resources for Parents

Here are a list of resources for parents to use: 

1.) New Kentucky Common Core (called Crosswalk now):
Crosswalk Standards (pg. 107-157) Click Here. 
Look for "grade 9-12".

2.) The New Grading System - Grading for Mastery vs. Traditional
Why is our current system of grading not good enough? Click Here.
What is grading for mastery? Click Here.

3.) Why do we use manipulatives (hands on examples) in class?
 Algebra Tiles Guide. Click Here.

4.) How do TI-84s work? How can I use them with my child?
TI Calculator How To Guides. Click Here.

5.) How can I help my child with his Algebra?
Algebra Video Resource. Click Here.

Teacher Tube - Solving Equations with a TI-84 Calculator

Teacher Tube - Intro to Using TI-84 Calculators

Reflection

I think this site will prove useful in so many ways for us (as a classroom). The blog format vs. a website should help me post more often and with less stress, since I don't have to worry about all the information being on the page, whether the new content is accessible via the main page, manage links, etc. This blog should also be less imposing and scary for parents and students to use to get in touch with me in formats other than my email. It's also more modern, and user friendly then outdated websites are!

Classroom Blog

Hi all! First post here. I am excited about the potential this classroom blog will provide. Hopefully parents and students will find it a good resource to go to in helping solve confusion, anxiety, and frustration with our class content. I will use it to post links to useful sites that relate to current content taught in class and to post reminders for assessments and big projects! It should also be a good resource for me in future years so that I know what teaching strategies worked, what parents and students needed more help learning, etc.