High School Common Core Modeling Standards
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) emphasizes mathematical modeling, or “link[ing] classroom mathematics and statistics to everyday life, work, and decision-making” for all grade levels with Math...
View ArticleWhat Isn’t Mathematical Modeling?
Many teachers reading the Standards for Mathematical Practice are confused by what “Model with Mathematics” (Math Practice 4) means. I define mathematical modeling as the process of taking an often...
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Going For A Carnival Ride
About two months ago I had the opportunity to work with a class of struggling 8th graders in a support class. I chose to do the ticket option lesson with them and wanted to share my experiences and...
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What Does It Mean To Understand Mathematics?
Several years ago I had a profound moment that led me to completely rethink what it meant to understand mathematics. I was still in the classroom and had been working with 6th graders on adding and...
View ArticleProblem-Based Learning Frequently Asked Questions
When teachers begin to implement problem-based learning, several questions consistently come up and I have a slide to discuss them during my presentations. At the 2014 California Math Council (CMC)...
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4 Ways To Assess 3-Act Tasks
One of the most common concerns about implementing 3-Act Tasks (also known as problem-based lessons, application problems, or math modeling problems) is “How do you assess them?” Here are the four...
View ArticleMath Modeling Can Tell You Who’s Pregnant
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. The most important post to read is this one about spies...
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What If We Didn’t Teach What A Calculator Can Do?
Sometimes we do something just because that’s the way it’s always been done. This happens in sports just like in education. For example, consider the high jump. You’re probably familiar with the basic...
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Mathematical Modeling: Do You Need Better Spies Or Analysts?
For years I’ve been trying to find a way to talk about mathematical modeling that made sense to me. I’ve finally found something I’m happy with and it has to do with the differences between spies and...
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Math Modeling Can Get You Kicked Off A Plane
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. The most important post to read is this one about spies...
View ArticleMath Modeling Can Pick The Best Colleges
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. The most important post to read is this one about spies...
View ArticleMath Modeling Can Tell Amazon Which Products To Recommend
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. The most important post to read is this one about spies...
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Why Do We Have Word Problems?
I want to begin this blog post with a question: why do we have word problems? I don’t mean why do we need or use word problems but rather why do they even exist in the first place? This may seem...
View ArticleMath Modeling Can Tell Pandora Which Music You Might Like
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. To learn about Spies and Analysts, I recommend watching...
View ArticleMath Modeling Can Tell You How Much Your Home Is Worth
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. To learn about Spies and Analysts, I recommend watching...
View ArticleMath Modeling Can Tell Dating Websites Who You Might Like
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. To learn about Spies and Analysts, I recommend watching...
View ArticleMath Modeling Can Tell Uber How Much To Charge You
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. To learn about Spies and Analysts, I recommend watching...
View ArticleMath Modeling Can Tell Us If We Get Free Tacos
[This is one of a series of posts that explore real world examples of mathematical modeling to help educators better understand its applications. To learn about Spies and Analysts, I recommend watching...
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