Classifying Triangles: When one of my math classes was studying the names of polygons, their properties, and the measurement of their interior angles we made several entries in our interactive notebooks. We made this T-chart to review the classification of triangles by their sides and angles. We folded the triangles over and glued them on the chart. On the outside we wrote the names of each type of triangle and on the inside the students wrote the properties for each type of triangle. 
Download the template for free below!

Writing in Math: To reflect on the classification of triangles and lead into the concept of the measurement of the interior angles of a triangle students were asked to write whether or not a triangle could have two right angles. They also had to draw a representation to show reasoning and proof of their response. 

Triangle Interior Angle Measurement:   In past years I've used a piece of construction paper to model this for the class. I cut a diagonal to make a triangle. I would tear off each angle and put them together on the board or digital projector to demonstrate that the angles, when put together, make a line which is 180 degrees. Since I have been developing interactive notebooks with my classes this year I wanted them to have this activity glued in their notebooks.

I decided to  use 3 different types of triangles to demonstrate that it is true for all of them. I made two of each triangle so they could see the original as well as the triangle with the angles removed and glued together. The activity went really well in class and was a great visual reminder for other angle measurement concepts we studied later in the chapter.

Teaching graphs, patterns, and equations are some of my favorite things! I love helping students discover that they can write an expression with a variable to represent a pattern. I think it helps break the stigma that algebra is hard. 

FREE STUFF!!! This is part of a lesson in my TpT store- Graphs, Patterns, and Equations. The lesson guides students through naming patterns and writing equations by solving word problems with line graphs and tables. With this page students name patterns, use them to write an equation, and graph the coordinates.

This week I started new chapters in almost all of my classes. Overwhelming! Because my 7th and 8th grade math classes are both in geometry units I decided to start them off with some vocabulary activities. There are over 30 vocabulary terms for each class. We made vocabulary booklets to staple into their interactive notebooks.  When I told them what we were doing, the 7th graders started laughing because we've done this activity before and there was a little mishap. I had to go on emergency leave at the beginning of the year and created these booklet templates for the sub to have my geography class do while I was gone. When I got back and looked at their work I realized they had done the wrong chapter. Oops! They had to start all over. So glad they can laugh about it :) One of my classes was unusually quiet as they worked on their booklets. When I walked around I could see that they were all concentrating on making detailed and really fantastic illustrations. So proud!

FREE STUFF! You can download a copy of the template. Some students chose to cut theirs on the dotted lines and others wanted to cut around the curves of the frames. That takes longer but does look nicer. 

Here's the Word document version. 

Students have such a hard time conceptualizing operations with fractions. I've spent a lot of years developing fraction lessons and activities to use with my students. The best way I've found to get them to understand dividing by fractions is this simple statement "How many _____ are in _____?" Once the blanks are filled in a representation can be developed.

I created a PowerPoint to use with my classes that takes them step by step through the concept of dividing by fractions. This is one section of the PowerPoint. In the downloaded version the parts of each slide are presented one at a time. I used it on a digital board and students were able to come up and draw out their representations.

The full PowerPoint version includes an introduction to using "How many _____ are in ____?" with 2 whole numbers, dividing whole numbers by fractions, and dividing fractions by fractions. It also uses a couple word problems. You can find the full version by clicking on this link to my TpT page.

Free Stuff! Use this student sheet with the PowerPoint presentation to practice fraction division.