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Exponent Product Rule

   When teaching exponents, I often gave my students a sheet of all the exponent rules but the question of why they work comes up.  In this video, I show a brief explanation for why the product rule works.  I know it takes time to show students why it works but in the end, I think it's worth it.
Recent posts

Less than vs Greater Than

      This is a saying I started telling my Algebra 2 students a few years ago so they could learn the difference between the less than and greater than sign.  This year, I've been using this saying with my middle school students.  

Co-Teaching Tip #3

       In my 10 years of co-teaching I've had 9 different special education teachers. I remember the first time a school was going to keep me with the same co-teacher, I was so excited because it had never happened before.  I always heard, you are a good general education co-teacher and they are a good special education co-teacher so we are going to split you two up to be with co-teachers that need help.  While I understand this thought process, some co-teachers just click really well and work together.       These co-teacher relationships can form quickly or slowly and lots of conversations need to take place.  One year a school sat us down with our co-teachers about day 3 of in service week and we had these discussions.  I remember how awkward it was as a general education teacher yelled at the co-teacher, they wanted nothing to do with co-teaching and the co-teacher could just sit in the back of the room.  I worked with the same co-teacher that year and let me tell you they were

Co-teaching Tip #2

       Creating a positive and inclusive learning environment in a middle/high school classroom requires collaboration and teamwork between general education teachers and special education teachers. Classroom management becomes a joint effort, with both educators working together to set clear expectations, routines, and boundaries that cater to the diverse needs of all students. By establishing consistent and fair disciplinary strategies, such as positive reinforcement and proactive intervention, teachers can foster a sense of safety and respect within the classroom. Lesson planning takes on added significance in an inclusion classroom, as educators strive to differentiate instruction to accommodate varying learning styles and abilities. Through careful planning and collaboration, teachers can design engaging and accessible lessons that address the individualized needs of students with diverse learning profiles. This may involve utilizing a variety of instructional methods, incorporati

Co-teaching Tip #1

        I love co-teaching and working in inclusion classes but this doesn't mean it's always been easy.  I've had the opportunity during these years to have co-teachers that love math, hate math, and some that were terrified of math.  Each co-teaching relationship was different.     Over the years when people ask why I've had successful inclusion classrooms one reason is I respect my co-teacher.  My co-teacher may not love math but they love students.  My co-teacher may not want to teach a single whole group lesson but they may be great with small groups. It starts with respect and knowing that they have earned a teaching degree just like you.       Sadly, I've seen co-teacher be told to just sit in the back of the room, only worry about "your" students, or treated poorly.  In my experience, these classrooms didn't thrive like the other classrooms. A little respect goes a long way.

Finding Slope in Desmos

  Slope can be tricky for students especially with the subset numbers.  If you have students with a calculator accommodation or students who get to use the desmos calculator, here's a quick video on how they can put it in desmos. 

Planning with Canva

  I'm normally a paper planner but this year I've really embraced Canva and all the free features that are available to educators.  If you jump into Canva to try it, I would start with templates as those are typically easy to adjust and need minimal designing on your part.  Here is how I am laying out my calendar this year using Canva.