January 2013

NYT Resources Teaching

Math Lesson: Teaching the Mathematics of Infinity

My latest contribution to the New York Times Learning Network is the lesson “Teaching the Mathematics of Infinity“.

Inspired by the wonderful article “The Life of Pi, and Other Infinities,” I put together a collection of resources and activities for exploring this rich, mysterious, and important mathematical concept.

Students are challenged to think about the different kinds of infinities encountered in mathematics, and then to research and discuss some of the classic applications and paradoxes of infinity. They are also invited to think about the infinite quantities in their own lives.

Infinity is one of my favorite mathematical concepts: it is an amazingly powerful tool, as well as a rich philosophical idea. The mystery and excitement of infinity always produces great conversations, some of which can go on forever!

By MrHonner, 12 years12 years ago

Challenge NYT

Math Quiz — NYT Learning Network

Through Math for America, I am part of an ongoing collaboration with the New York Times Learning Network. My latest contribution, a Test Yourself quiz-question, can be found here:

Test Yourself Math — January 30, 2013

This question has to do with the surge in college and junior college graduates in China. How far behind the US is China in graduations per capita?

By MrHonner, 12 years7 years ago

Teaching

g = 4, and Other Lies the Test Told Me

As part of Math for America‘s inaugural Master Teachers on Teaching symposium, I gave a talk titled “g = 4, and Other Lies the Test Told Me”. Video of the talk can be seen here.

The theme of the symposium was modeling, and my talk focused on the ways that standardized testing can undermine the teaching and learning of modeling.

By looking at a series of poorly-conceived state exam questions, I discussed the ramifications that these questions have on student’s conceptions of mathematics and modeling, and on the teaching that goes on in the classroom.

By MrHonner, 12 years12 years ago

Appreciation Art

Math Art: Hypotrochoids

This hypotrochoid art set was the perfect stocking stuffer for a math lover like myself! With a little practice you can quickly produce some really beautiful images.

By MrHonner, 12 years12 years ago

Challenge Resources

Challenging Physics Problems

This is a sample of the problems from the book “200 Puzzling Physics Problems” published by Cambridge University Press:

http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/sam ples/cam034/00053005.pdf

This above resource contains 89 of the problems, but no solutions.

The problems here are simple to state, but seem to get at profound mathematical and physical ideas. For example, if the Earth and Sun were scaled down as to be 1 meter apart on average, how long would a year be?

I can see a lot of productive student struggle coming from this book!

By patrick honner, 12 years12 years ago

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