I spend several hours a week looking for engaging math examples to use in my classroom--some incorporate technology, some don't. However, many of the things I pull don't make it into my lessons. Often I will find something that works for an idea we covered last month or an application which would be brilliant next semester. Sadly, when next semester (or next year) rolls around, I've forgotten it completely.
Enter a conversation I've had this past week with some other math teachers from around the country. One of them wants to create an online textbook for Algebra 1. I'm in ... kind of. I think it would be extremely helpful to have rich examples and online content linked to the Common Core Standards. I don't know how helpful it would be to include teaching content. I asked my colleague (for those of you who don't know, our math department for middle and high school consists of two people) what she thought. She gave some sage advice: "I think linked content to the Standards would be useful to every math teacher. Creating a textbook with a handful of other teachers is probably biting off more than you can chew."
After discussing it until long after the kids went home on Friday afternoon, I agree. Re-inventing the wheel is not what I want. Improving the design of the wheel and making it more effective? Yes, please.
Once the project gets off the ground I'll post some updates about how things are shaping up.
Enter a conversation I've had this past week with some other math teachers from around the country. One of them wants to create an online textbook for Algebra 1. I'm in ... kind of. I think it would be extremely helpful to have rich examples and online content linked to the Common Core Standards. I don't know how helpful it would be to include teaching content. I asked my colleague (for those of you who don't know, our math department for middle and high school consists of two people) what she thought. She gave some sage advice: "I think linked content to the Standards would be useful to every math teacher. Creating a textbook with a handful of other teachers is probably biting off more than you can chew."
After discussing it until long after the kids went home on Friday afternoon, I agree. Re-inventing the wheel is not what I want. Improving the design of the wheel and making it more effective? Yes, please.
Once the project gets off the ground I'll post some updates about how things are shaping up.
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