Making the Jigsaw
Tarsia is a free software from Hermitech Labs that creates customized mathematical (or otherwise) jigsaw puzzles. I made one for students to review adding and subtracting rational numbers.
The user interface is super easy. Just type in a problem and it's answer for each card. It has an equation editor for mathematical expressions. It mixes up the jigsaw pieces for you and even allows you to print off a table of answers or a pdf of what the finished puzzle looks like.
Here's a page of the puzzle pieces (it printed out on 2 pages) and the answer key. I didn't save the file before my computer decided it needed to install updates over lunch...so...this is the only copy I have right now. :)
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Digital Number Line
We've been working with adding and subtracting rational numbers on an interactive number line using a Google App from The Math Learning Center.
It's great because students can see the jumps and it really solidifies that transfer of what they learned about integers on the number line to what they already know about fractions and decimals.
This concept is NOT easy, but I have seen more successes using this number line than I have with memorizing integer rules in the past.
It's great because students can see the jumps and it really solidifies that transfer of what they learned about integers on the number line to what they already know about fractions and decimals.
This concept is NOT easy, but I have seen more successes using this number line than I have with memorizing integer rules in the past.
Using the number line app to solve a problem.
Thoughts About The Day
I have to say, I'm impressed with how long the students stuck with this. The puzzle I gave them had 16 matches...so they had to answer 16 problems. When I was making it, an hour seemed like plenty of time, but in the moment, it was apparent how much time and thought they were taking for each problem. Only a handful of pairs got finished by the end of class and we'll finish it up tomorrow. If I do this puzzle again (with the same exposure to solving the problems they've had) I'll do a smaller one for sure!
Overall, they seemed to love the puzzle. They were actively engaged the whole time, were getting incredibly excited when they found matches and even asked if they could come in for study hall to keep working on it. One girl that finished right before class ended said, "We're done! That was fun...but man, my brain hurts." I guess I can't ask for a better reaction than that.
Overall, they seemed to love the puzzle. They were actively engaged the whole time, were getting incredibly excited when they found matches and even asked if they could come in for study hall to keep working on it. One girl that finished right before class ended said, "We're done! That was fun...but man, my brain hurts." I guess I can't ask for a better reaction than that.
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