Coordinate Graphing {Math Lab: Centers}

If you're caught teaching a grade level like me where your students know about coordinate graphing, but need to "polish the edges" with it and practice, this math lab is super fun. I do it every year with my 6th grades and modify it for my pre-algebra students. I got the Nerf gun idea from a good friend of mine, and came up with the centers on my own. I'll upload a PDF of the lab for you - just please site my site or name if you use it. :)


Materials:

• Nerf Dart gun (shoots 6 - 8 darts)
• Suction cup darts
• laptop or computer with internet access

Time Allotment:

• 1 class period (60 mins) after quick refresher notes

Place students into four groups, as equally as possible and rotate every 10 - 15 minutes. Allow enough time for each group to complete the Nerf Gun center. All other centers can be completed at home.

Center #1: Nerf Guns
Have one student be the "shooter" and shoot the coordinate graph. Another student is the "recorder" and records on the shooter's paper the ordered pairs. A third student will pull off the darts from the board after the shooter is finished shooting and call off the ordered pairs for each dart. Additional students may help pull off and record. Rotate within the group so that each student has had a chance to do each job.

Center #2: Coordinate Graphing
Students will complete in their group the coodinate graphing hidden picture. Remind students how to complete these and that they need to connect points as they go to create the picture.

Center #3: Internet Resource
Students will collectively complete 25 problems on the IXL website. I have a trial subscription, but students were able to also complete this at home without a subscription and it is a GREAT resource for math!

Center #4: Word Problem Practice
Students can collaboratively complete the problems on the provided Word Problem Worksheet (by Glencoe - Lesson 2-3)

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PDF of Math Lab: {Click Here}

Integers {Notes}

Ever wonder how to make integers not only practical, but fun? I know I struggle sometimes with trying to get the importance across to my young students that these "little" negatives are SO important! I had inspiration though the other night while planning a science lesson.

I've discovered this one true fact.

Middle Schoolers like LOVE Post-It notes!!!!

Here's how I taught the lessons of integers. It took a few days to complete the four operations, BUT we not only had fun, we learned our rules and can now look back at them any time we need to!

Materials:

• 4 different bright colors of Post-Its
• Sharpie
• Math Journal

Procedure:
**Before class, I had pre-written on each post-it to save time, but you can also have students write on their own during class too.

1. Write one operational symbol on each color of Post-It. (i.e. + on pink, - on yellow, etc)
2. Have them grouped ready to be passed out following the warm-up so that each student recieves four Post-Its.
3. Students will place ALL FOUR Post-Its on ONE page as shown:

4. Have students trace around each Post-It to give a defined space when removing each note to write the integer rules underneath.
5. Add appropriate rules under each note and complete examples on following pages.
6. Once all Post-Its are complete, have a page dedicated to "Mixed Review" as most students get confused between (- 3)(- 4) and (- 3) - 4

Here's a close-up under the "Subtraction" Post-It;

Happy integer note-taking! :)