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Help Students Understand Reasoning & Proof by Explicitly Teaching the Distinction in a Way that Textbooks Don't
This concept (accompanied by free downloads below for both middle and high schoolers) gives a boost to students in grades 6-10. This will help set them up for higher level Algebra as well as Geometry and proofs. These skills strengthen reasoning and really have helped my students understand math on a deeper level.
When getting ready to introduce geometry proofs, I have learned that it’s essential to teach transitive property vs. substitution before jumping into proofs with geometry diagrams. This structure is missing from the curriculum I have seen. So, I’ve built my own resources to slowly build these skills that so many students are missing. It has made such a difference for my own classes. Be sure to take time to include these resources (free below) to give your own kids this leg up in Algebraic reasoning! I've put together materials and videos showing the perfect way for you to clearly explain the difference between the transitive property and substitution. This is a tricky distinction for students; so it’s important to be clear right off the bat! Keep reading for the ideal explanation of the difference between transitive and substitution property, and how to effectively prepare your students for Geometry (and higher level Algebra) proofs! 
Transitive Property vs. Substitution
This is tricky for our students, so read carefully to make sure you are able to give an effective and clear explanation. I have found it helps to teach this with individual cards for each variable, (See my video, below). For high schoolers, explicitly teach this difference. For middle school, scroll down to the picture puzzles for skill building instead. Substitution: So, let’s say we have 2 given equations: a + b = c and a = g Since a is equal to g, we can replace a with g and make a new equation→ g + b = c When two things are equal, we can replace one with the other, and we know that the equation will still be true. This is the Substitution Property. Substitution is the replacement of one piece. Transitive Property: On the other hand, the Transitive Property is when two numbers, variables, or quantities are equal to the same thing (not necessarily each other right away as the given). Let’s say we have two different equations: x + y = g and x + y = z The key for Transitive Property is that one entire side of the equation has to match. So, it’s not just replacing one piece. In these given equations, because z and g equal the same expression, they must equal each other. z = g z and g must be equal, because they are equal to the same QUANTITY. This is the Transitive Property. It doesn’t work unless the entire side of the equation matches. For example, if the equations were: x + y + m = g and x + y + p = z g would not equal z because the equations do not match. I’ve created a video to show you step-by-step. Consider showing this video to your students as well!
Watch the Video:
Introducing Geometry Proofs Once your students understand transitive property vs. substitution, I like to get them practicing using JUST these properties with a new, transitional style of algebraic proofs, before we jump into geometry proofs. FYI: textbooks don’t seem to teach this; this is just a trick I’ve learned to improve understanding of working with proofs! Most curriculum jumps right from the type of algebra proof that is just solving an equation (justifying each step to get to the solution x = a number) into the first geometry-based proofs. If you find a book that includes this style of proof as a bridge between the standard algebra proof and geometry proofs, let me know! So far, I've had to develop my own in-between practice. These proofs teach students how to COMBINE two previous lines in the proof using the transitive property and/or substitution as the justification. Taking a couple of days to develop JUST this thought process helped my students so much. After practicing these proofs, they had no problem easing into the next level of proofs with Angle Addition Postulate and Segment Addition Postulate. (Click here for a fun worksheet for practicing with these postulates.) This made them ready for what used to be such a huge leap. We avoided all the struggle that usually comes with introducing proofs. They did not feel nearly as lost. 
(For these additional free Geometry proof resources, enter your email to subscribe at the bottom of this post. They'll be sent right to your inbox.)
FREE MATERIALS to build these skills
Here are two resources to help you build this skill: 1. My special breed of proofs Include these algebra proofs as a bridge between algebraic and geometry proofs with justifying reasoning just for combining lines using transitive property and substitution. Click here for FREE samples of algebra proofs! 
my special breed of transitional proofs
The key is that these are DIFFERENT from the typical “solving” style algebra proof. Look closely!
2. SKILL BUILDING Picture equation puzzles This free set of fun challenge cards can be used in middle school OR high school to help your students build up the knowledge they need for geometry proofs (and algebra reasoning)! This free download comes with 4 basic cards, 4 medium cards, and 4 difficult cards for those students who want a challenge! 
free skill-building puzzle sets
The set is differentiated to meet the needs of each of your students at any level.
For more tips on teaching these skills before having students prove their logic, go to Introducing Geometry Proofs! This makes a huge impact on student comprehension, so be sure to download the sample proofs if you just did a quick skim or don’t quite know what I am talking about ? Remember to enter your email below and subscribe to Math Giraffe for more materials, updates, and ideas!
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Engaging Bulletin Board Ideas Spruce up your room and set the mood for Math Madness this March! I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites and linked the creators to spark your creativity. Keep in mind, you can always add a basketball themed problem of the week (or day!) to the board to make sure there is an aspect of learning; you want to make the best use of your time decorating. Twist a word problem or challenge problem from your current lesson in the textbook and just add a basketball theme to it! You won't even have to switch the numbers or answers from the book if you use a little creativity to re-write it. 
The games last all throughout March; the final four games are on March 31st and the National Championship is on April 2nd. Consider using this bracket above or printing out this gameday schedule for your board and assign students to fill in the teams that are yet to be announced! You may want to set up a bracket like the second bulletin board that actually tracks student progress instead of the basketball games. Have students participate in a math tournament like my End of Course review tournaments, and let the teams compete in this way instead of on the graph! 
End of Course Review Tournament
End of Course Review Tournament - ALL math standards
Probability Activity Tom DeRosa shares a great Probability Activity using the NCAA’s data since 1979. Students find the probability of a given seed winning the tournament, as a fraction and percent. Then, they use these numbers to answer a few questions about probability. They discuss the difference between experimental and theoretical probability. Using real-life data about basketball makes the work relevant to their lives! March Madness Trashketball This FREE download brings real-life fractions and decimals practice and lets your students get in on the basketball action! They get to “shoot hoops” by shooting crumpled up paper into the trash bin. They keep track of the shots they make versus the shots they take, and they use this data to practice fractions, statistics, and decimals! STEM Idea: Basketball Tower Challenge If you need a STEM lesson idea, look no further! Try this fun idea by Sarah Wiggins at More than a Worksheet. All you need is newspaper, masking tape, and a few basketballs. Have students work in pairs or small groups to build a newspaper tower that can support a basketball. This challenge sounds simple, but is actually very tricky! Students will definitely be challenged. Before students create their tower, have them create a hypothesis and introduce the STEM engineering design process with the free graphic organizers she provides. Algebraic Expressions Basketball Game This game allows middle schoolers (Pre-Algebra) to play a basketball game practicing with expressions! www.algebra4children.com/Games/games-2/Algebraic-expressions/hoopshoot-algebraic_expressions.html
Or, this similar game helps students practice solving equations. Track their points using a bracket to run your own tournament throughout the month!
http://www.math-play.com/math-basketball-one-step-equations/math-basketball-one-step-equations-game_html5.html Geometry in Basketball This presentation offers a lesson for your Geometry students, showing how geometric principles play into every aspect of the sport. https://prezi.com/1lnbrkd9zuac/geometry-in-basketball/ Let kids explore it, then write up a few questions using the information they discovered. They can swap with a partner and use the presentation to try to answer the other set of questions!
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Looking for ways to make Pi Day unique and memorable? Every math teacher (and student) I know looks forward to an awesome Pi Day. It’s the highlight of our math year!
It can be tricky to find new, unique ideas, especially when the internet is filled with the same ideas, like allowing students to eat pie while memorizing digits of Pi. While there’s nothing wrong with this, I think it can be fun to switch it up a bit! Plus, since these are pretty unique ideas, it’s unlikely your students will have ever done these before. I’ve gathered some different ideas that students will surely love and talk about for years to come!
Video
Have your students watch this video first to get the basics they'll need to work through the other activities below.
Pi Doodle Notes
Next, choose either doodle notes or stations (see below). Either option gets kids engaged with the actual math behind Pi Day! If you’ve tried doodle notes, you already know kids love them! They are the perfect blend of creativity and rigor; doodle notes activate the left and right sides of the brain, which improves memory and retention. To read more about the many benefits of doodle notes, go here! These Pi Doodle Notes are perfect for Pi Day or anytime! Here’s what it includes:- approximations of Pi - definition of "irrational" - meaning / utility of the number pi - room for a history fact about Pi - room for a formula that includes Pi - background of Euler using the greek letter to represent it - circumference and diameter - why we can't know or recite ALL digits of pi You can choose one of the two sheets, or use both. Students get to creatively fill the doodle note sheets out with the information, and can color and embellish them in any extra time! 
Pi Day Stations
My favorite way to set up class on Pi Day is by implementing Pi Day Stations. One way to do this is with the "Delicious Pi Problems" as work stations, and the other way is with hands-on variety stations.
The Delicious Pi Problems offer practice with circumference and area of circles (and volume of cylinders in the challenge level) using yummy foods! These word problems include circle formulas with pi and it doubles as a coloring book!
The Pi Day Stations are another great option, and include a hands-on exploration, a creative challenge, a wordsearch, and other fun learning centers that you can print and set up for your class to go through.
Mini Pies
Most students, if asked their favorite part of Pi Day will be quick to answer with, “The food!” After all, they probably don’t normally get the chance to eat anything in class, let alone sweet treats. 
An easy option is individual pies. This way, you don't have the mess and wasted time of cutting and serving full-size pies. Students can measure the circumference and diameter if you have not done that already with other circles in the stations. Switching to mini pies makes the class period go MUCH smoother. It's well worth the 50 cents per pie. You can have volunteers bring in stacks of mini pies to help cover the cost. Get Students Laughing with Pi Jokes It’s always a good idea to begin class with some smiles and laughter! Break out a few of these hilarious and dorky Pi jokes throughout the class period, and set the mood for the class period. Here are some favorites:
Grab the Pi Day Bundle
If you want to be all set for Pi Day with everything you need for all the grade levels and courses you teach, this Pi Day pack will be all you need to be all set for ALL or your Pi Days... FOREVERMORE. The discounted bundle contains plenty of options that you can print and use, including pi practice problems, the pi doodle notes, Pi Day learning stations to choose from, and even pi infographics that you can hand out as bookmarks. 
What's included in the Bundle:
Get the downloadable bundle of Pi Day materials here. I hope you try one or more of these ideas! Don’t forget to plan your Pi Day the right way- Check out Perfecting Pi Day for my tips and tricks for planning the perfect day and avoiding my previous mistakes! Do you have anything awesome planned for Pi Day? We’d love to hear in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe to Math Giraffe, by entering your email in the box below.
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