Jim,

I tried to link this to your post...but could not.

Trig is such a fun thing to teach - so much better when the kids can see it on the computers.

For those looking for a great way to introduce the graphs of trig functions there is a really cool applet using a Ferris wheel. I am not sure of the web address but if you google it you may find it.

If you can't, let me know and I will work a little harder to remember it.

Laura Reynolds
Math Teacher/Coach
MSAD 49

Thanks for doing this blog Jim! Let's see what we can do to get more on here!

Wednesday, October 14

Hi All,

It's been a while. I have got to be better disciplined about writing on this.

In my level 4 class we just completed What's Your Bearings? The kids found it very difficult but gave it a really good effort. They did quite well on the module assessment. We did the law of sines and cosines using geogabra software that I used at some of your trainings. I have 20 PC laptops in my room that I am using as a pilot project in our school. It was great for the kids to be able to drag the sizes of their triangles and observe how the ratios remained constant. It took them a bit of time to discover these constants. Remember Fred, never tell or do anything for the kids that they can figure out or do for themselves. If you are doing too much then the kids are not doing enough.

Yesterday we started on Can It! The kids created their own unit circles by using different sized jars and cans. It just makes so much sense for them to create the circle and figure out where all of those values on it come from.

I'm still waiting, hoping, dreaming that more of you will start contributing to this blog space. It is not mine alone but for all. Use it even if you want to blog about your own kids or grand kids. Be well. Until next time. Jim