1. My name is Sarah Hagan, and I'm a high school math teacher in Oklahoma.
2. I teach Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and College Algebra. If you couldn't tell, I also love lists.
3. I live and teach in rural Oklahoma. I am one of only two high school math teachers at my school. We have approximately 150 students in 9th through 12th grade.
4. As a first year teacher, school is my life. I get to work early, and I leave work late. But, I love it.
5. I also love chocolate, crossword puzzles, reading, and playing the piano.
6. School supplies and classroom decorations make me giddy.
7. I am in love with foldables and interactive notebooks. My students are too!
8. I am involved with Student Council, National Honor Society, and our newly formed Math and Science Club.
9. I'm a lifelong vegetarian. I don't think my students will ever stop being amazed by this fact.
10. I strive everyday to become a better teacher. I love reading blogs, watching videos of other teachers, and reading books and magazines to learn new teaching practices. Twitter has been life-changing for me.
I have been teaching for 18 years, with my first 10 all at the same school in a small town in northern CA. I taught middle school then, and one year out of the blue I started using the "Math = Love" meme in my classes. The kids found it corny at first, but eventually I got classes trying to out-do other classes by claiming different versions of this equation. Students speaking:
ReplyDelete"For *this* class, Math is greater than or equal to Love!"
"Fourth period said that, well we're going to use Math is congruent to Love. That's more geometric."
That sort of thing. It was a lot of fun. I still have a t-shirt one class made for me with MATH = LOVE on it and everyone's signature from that class. (That's middle school for you. You rarely get that kind of emotional attachment to your class, at least in my experience, with high schoolers.)
I tried to use the idea again the next year, but it mostly fizzled out. I find that such gimmicks (if that's the right word) usually only work once. I don't know if it's because I only come upon them and present them with the right amount or type of enthusiasm when they are new to me, or what, but it feels like catching lightning in a bottle when one of these ideas sticks.
I teach only high school now, by choice, but the title of your blog reminded me of one of the things I really did enjoy about teaching middle school. Thanks!
I love your blog! I teach Pre-Algebra and Algebra to 7th and 8th graders and your blog has sparked my imagination. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, I invite my students to send me emails when they need help. I've set my signature line to be:
Even if you think you don't love Math, Math loves you.
Don't believe me? Solve for "i".
9x - 7i > 3(3x - 7u)
The Algebra students can figure it out pretty quickly. My Pre-Alg girls are desperate to understand how find the answer.
Just realized I never replied to this... I love your e-mail signature, and I totally stole it and made it mine!
DeleteI am also a first year teacher this year, teaching Algebra I and Geometry at the High school level.
ReplyDeleteI just used your HOY-VUX foldable in class, and they loved it!
Thanks! Hope your first year of teaching is going swell!
DeleteSarah, thank you for your notebook ideas! You are a real math master! You are helping my students and I in big ways! Keep up the excellent work! Please keep sharing your insights and ideas for 8th grade math! You are a phenom!
ReplyDeleteValerie
Thanks for sharing. You are a true blessing.
ReplyDeleteWow! Bless you for sharing all these wonderful ideas! I tutor students and these materials will be fabulous. Keep up the great work you're doing!
ReplyDeleteFinally! Someone who loves math! I'm in the works of becoming a middle school math teacher and its so hard to find others as dedicated and passionate about the subject. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteFrivolousrambling.blogspot.com
Thanks for your kind words! It sounds like you are entering the right career field! If I could offer you some advice, I'd definitely recommend that you blog throughout all of your student teaching and observation experiences. Good luck with your studies, and make sure you keep that passion!
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