One week until the start of classes for Winter 2023. I get up in the morning and think “this is the day I will accomplish what I need to be ready to teach.” By the evening I feel further behind than when I started. I know I got things accomplished but I want time withContinue reading “December 27 Day 1024: I promise I’m trying”
Category Archives: teaching
December 2 Day 999: Mathematical Cooperation
It was a full day’s meeting at the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences. Presidents, Executive Directors, and friends of 19 different mathematics organizations met to work together and support each other in their efforts to promote research, improve education, and expand the uses of mathematics. It’s a great group of people and I amContinue reading “December 2 Day 999: Mathematical Cooperation”
November 19 Day 986: A Few AMATYC Highlights
The conference is continuing for another day but I am heading back this evening. There was plenty of positive math energy but here are some things I particularly want to remember. Indian food last night with April Strom, Chris Rasmussen, and Peter Liljedahl followed by the second half of the AMATYC Ignite event. For theContinue reading “November 19 Day 986: A Few AMATYC Highlights”
November 18 Day 985: Kudos for Flexibility
I want to acknowledge the persistence of my friend April Strom and the Teaching for Prowess Team. Even though it seems nothing was going right this morning, they made things work. Pivot number 1: The hotel wouldn’t allow anything on the walls. No tape, no blue tape, no static clings, nothing. The plan was toContinue reading “November 18 Day 985: Kudos for Flexibility”
November 17 Day 984: Hello Toronto!
I arrived after a restless night of travel. It’s brisk with a little snow on the ground. I took it easy today. Coffee at Tim Hortons, a session on active learning, a lovely keynote by Peter Liljedahl, and a meal sharing small plates with friends, both old and new. Quick lessons from the day: NotContinue reading “November 17 Day 984: Hello Toronto!”
October 17 Day 953: Learning New Tricks
When teaching remotely, I had lots of ways to get feedback—reactions, polls (often in Miro), waterfall chats. Now that I am back in person, I’m trying to find the right method. Inspired by my son’s willingness to ask his teacher questions on Discord, I set up a server for my class. I have to admit,Continue reading “October 17 Day 953: Learning New Tricks”
October 3 Day 939: 100% Again
It’s the second class of the quarter and attendance was at 100% again. (Admittedly one student joined on Zoom but life happens. They joined their randomly assigned workgroup in a zoom breakout room and it seemed to work fine.) I am again using the randomly generated lists to call on students rather than asking forContinue reading “October 3 Day 939: 100% Again”
September 30 Day 936: Live from LA, It’s NCTM!
This is my second time attending the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, the first time in-person. It’s been simultaneously inspiring, exhausting, and humbling. I knew more people than expected including colleagues, friends, and past students from long ago when I lived and worked in Los Angeles. Yet I felt very much alone. GreatContinue reading “September 30 Day 936: Live from LA, It’s NCTM!”
September 28 Day 934: Officially Autumn
We have passed the autumnal equinox; leaves are changing colors; and classes started at the University of Washington for Autumn quarter. Summer is over. The energy in class today was amazing. 100% attendance. Lots of positive group interactions. I’m excited to see how our community develops. After talking with my youngest son about his currentContinue reading “September 28 Day 934: Officially Autumn”
September 27 Day 933: No Wonder USPS is in Trouble
I came to campus for final preparations of tomorrow’s opening class this quarter. I checked my office mail for the first time in eight months. During this time, the United States Postal Service brought 2 hand written letters, 5 math publications, and 1 book advertisement. What does it say about the volume of electronic communicationsContinue reading “September 27 Day 933: No Wonder USPS is in Trouble”
Math Belongs to All of Us 