Laura+P


 * Laura Plunkett • lsplunkett@aol.com • laura_plunkett@hcpss.org • dplunk1@students.towson.edu**

I have been a teacher in Howard County for eight years; five years teaching elementary, and three years teaching middle school math. Before I became a teacher, I worked for the Navy supporting Surface Electronic Warfare and Air Warfare logistics programs. It was a great experience that gives me a unique perspective to help prepare my students for the demands needed for a career in defense. It also allows me to use actual problems and situations that I have been involved with as examples in my classroom.
 * Bio**

I am an adrenaline junky. I love heights and speed; which means riding motorcycles, flying planes, climbing rocks, and riding wicked fast roller coasters. I am a calculated risk person, which means I won’t ride a motorcycle without wearing full protective gear; I will only fly planes that have wings and a propeller, and I won’t climb mountains without wearing a harness, rope, and a helmet.

I live in Montgomery County. I have been married for 22 years. My husband’s name is Bryan and we met 23 years ago while working together on Navy programs. We have four children. Tyler is 15 and a freshman in high school. Maddie, Jimmy, and Paige are triplets so they are all 12 and in seventh grade. We also have a yellow lab named Mandy.

I have gone to college forever. I love to learn. I have a degree from the University of Maryland. I have a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. I will have another Master’s degree from Towson in May of 2015. I am already plotting and planning my next program. It will either be Applied Mathematics or Systems Engineering. I haven’t picked the school yet.

I am passionate about math and engineering. I hope my enthusiasm rubs off and helps inspire future mathematicians, logisticians, and engineers.

=**Learning Task #1**=

=**Learning Task #2**=
 * What is Web 2.0?** Web 2.0 describes the next generation of Internet tools. It has shifted the way digital information is created, shared, stored, distributed, and manipulated. In Web 2.0, applications are web-based and can be accessed from anywhere, data can be readily shared, and social tools encourage people to create, collaborate, edit, categorize, exchange, and promote information. Users can now generate or edit content without having to be the page provider.

**My Today's Meet:** @https://todaysmeet.com/LPlunkett **My KidBlog Class:** []

=**Learning Task #3**=
 * My Prezi: [|Multiplying Numbers in Scientific Notation]**
 * My Smore: [|Wheel of Theodorus]**

=**Learning Task #4**=
 * 10. Thinking Blocks ** . Thinking blocks can be used to model and solve ratio and proportion word problems, 7.RP.A.


 * 9. Pythagorean Puzzles ** . These puzzles can be used to illustrate the Pythagorean Theorem, 8.G.B.6.


 * 8. Transformations – Composition ** . This tool lets you see the result of multiple transformations, 8.G.A.2.


 * 7. Circle 0 ** . Reinforces situations where positive and negative quantities combine to produce zero sums, 7.NS.A.1.a.


 * 6. Integer Chips – Subtraction Practice ** . Integer chips can be used to practice subtraction, 7.NS.A.1.


 * 5. Line Plotter ** . Practice drawing lines through a given point having a specified slope, 8.EE.B.6.


 * 4. Fraction Number Line Bars ** . This tool can be used to model division of fractions, 7.NS.A.2.


 * 3. Percentage Calculator ** . Shows how proportional relationships can be used to solve percent problems, 7.RP.A.3.


 * 2. Stick or Switch ** . This is a variation of the game “Let’s Make a Deal”, 7.SP.C.6.


 * 1. Algebra Pan Balance ** . This algebra balance can be used to model how to solve one and two-step equations, 7.EE.4 and 7.EE.4a.

=**Learning Task #5**=
 * Link to Student Survey
 * Link to Parent Survey

=**Learning Task #6**=
 * Link to Text2MindMap -Triangles
 * Link to Padlet.com/laura_plunkett/lovemath. The password is lovemath. (I also put the link in my Google Classroom as an assignment. It will be interesting to see if anyone checks it over winter break.)
 * Line to Popplet Exponent Rules.

=**Learning Task #7**=


 * Videos & Lesson Briefs**

**Usain Bolt's Gold in the 100-Meter Sprint**
 * 8.SP.A.2. Watch the first minute. Discuss variables that might affect future performance. Have them use line of best fit to predict performance in future races.


 * Men's 100-Meter Freestyle **
 * 8.SP.A.2. Watch the first two minutes - stop before he gives the answer for the 45 second prediction. Have students calculate line of best fit to predict when/if swimmers can break the 45 second mark.


 * Men's Long Jump **
 * 8.SP.A.1. Watch whole video. Discuss which variables have the most impact on jump distance.

San Francisco CANstruction 2011 This event has a lot of videos and endless math lesson possibilities. If you have never seen these structures they are amazing and creative and purposeful. It can be used to calculate how many cans are in a structure. How much money needs to be fund raised to purchase supplies? How many man hours and people will it take to build? (7.NS., 7.EE., 7.G., and 8.G.)
 * More Videos**

How long does it take to fill a 150,000 gallon pool? Camp Siloam's pool holds 150,000 gallons of water. How long does it take to fill it? Volume (7.G and 8.G)

Playing Card Polyhedra I used to have a variety of these hanging in my room. I still have an endless stream of students who come in at lunch to build them. Geometry (7.G, 8.G)

Simplifying Radicals Approximating Square Roots
 * Kahn Academy -** I prefer this site because I find it easy to navigate and I have used it more than LearnZillion.
 * **Pros**
 * Organized by grade but titled by specific topic so you can find obscure concepts that might be embedded in a larger topic.
 * A lot of resources
 * Linked to CCSS
 * **Cons:**
 * Overwhelming
 * Procedural and a bit rote

Simplifying Radicals Approximating Square Roots
 * LearnZillion**
 * **Pros**
 * Linked to CCSS
 * **Cons:**
 * Hard to navigate
 * Not as well organized as Khan Academy
 * Too many vague resources

=**Learning Task #8**= Educreations Video: Pythagorean Theorem Educreations Video: [|Combining Like Terms] = = =**Learning Task #9**= Rubistar rubric: [|Pythagorean Theorem Project Rubric] Kahoot: [|Tranformations Review]



Testmoz quiz (password is lovemath): [|Triangle Inequalities] =**Learning Task #10**=

**Plickers**
Plickers is a simple app that collects real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices. I use them for quick checks of understanding to know whether students are understanding big concepts and mastering key skills. My classes love it. I trade off having students be the scanner. It is very engaging. One downside is that you cannot upload graphics or pictures. Which can be a big downside depending on your unit.

iTooch 7th Grade Math
iTooch 7th Math is a fun way of practicing and learning Math for seventh graders. It claims to have the largest collection of practice problems based on the US National Common Core Standards on Google Play for middle school. It would make a great practice station in the classroom or as extra help for a struggling learner. They have a lot of other levels and subjects. I made my kids try the 7th and 8th grade math. They loved it.

Kahoot
Kahoot is a game-based classroom response system. You can create your own questions or search for existing questions. Students can play using any device with a web browser. Results can be directly downloaded to Google Docs. It does not work well in classes where students need a lot of thinking time or are anxious about a competitive environment.

**Freebloks 3D**
This is the Android version of Freebloks 3D, an implementation of the famous board game Blokus. Try to place as many tiles on the board as possible, keeping in mind only two simple rules: your tiles must touch a corner of one of your previously placed tiles, but they must not share an edge. My own kids are obsessed with the board game so it was a good find.



Sketchometry
Sketchometry is dynamic geometry software. Simply sketch the desired object with your finger or a pen. The software recognizes the drawn object and creates an exact image. Objects can be rotated and changed at will. Designs created can be stored locally or in the cloud. Export to HTML pages or interactive e-books is possible.


 * Project:** Google Classroom - Attached file: [[file:PlunkettGC.pptx]]