To help alleviate the struggle in choosing effective apps to use in the classroom, Taylor Harrison presents a list of qualities supported by research, that teachers can use to discern at a glance whether an app can potentially be an effective learning tool for their students. This list of qualities was produced through an extensive review of…

More teachers are trying out the flipped classroom model in which content is delivered outside of class time, typically through online videos and "homework," and follow-up activities are done in class. This model frees up more class time for inquiry and discussion. This article focuses on the self-learning portion of the flipped learning…

As a group of middle school mathematics teachers and teacher educators, the authors have focused their attention on using innovative practices coupled with high cognitive demand tasks to engage students, pique their interest in mathematics, and promote conceptual understanding. This article explores their three-act task design. In act 1, students…

Students' experiences with statistics and data analysis in middle school are often limited to little more than making and interpreting graphs. Although students may develop fluency in statistical procedures and vocabulary, they frequently lack the skills necessary to apply statistical reasoning in situations other than clear-cut textbook examples.…

The rapid growth of digital technology, including the worldwide adoption of mobile and embedded computers, places new demands on K-grade 12 educators and their students. Young people should have an opportunity to learn the technical knowledge of computer science (e.g., computer programming, mathematical logic, and discrete mathematics) in order to…

In this article, middle school mathematics teacher Jennifer Zakrzewski describes how she successfully incorporated iPads and Apple TV (for projection of iPad screens) into her classroom while having her students solve a problem about mangoes. As Zakrzewski began a unit on multiplying and dividing fractions, she chose to start with the Mangoes…

Although discussions about inductive reasoning can be traced back thousands of years (Fitelson 2011), the implementation of the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP) within the Common Core State Standards (CCSSI 2010) is generating renewed attention to how students learn mathematics. The third SMP, "Construct viable arguments and critique…

An iPad® can be used to teach students to graph parabolas with ease and grasp vocabulary quickly. Parabolas come to life for students in this easily implemented activity described in this article. Teachers can use this tool in a fun and interactive way to not only address these graphing and vocabulary concepts but also introduce and explore…

The game of Plinko offers students an exciting real-world example of the applications of probability and data analysis. The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSI 2010) and the Guidelines for Assessment in Statistics Education (GAISE) (Franklin et al. 2007) suggest that students in grades 6-8 be given ample opportunities to engage in…

Geometry is a major area of study in middle school mathematics, yet middle school and secondary students have difficulty learning important geometric concepts. This article considers Alexis-Claude Clairaut's approach that emphasizes engaging student curiosity about key ideas and theorems instead of directly teaching theorems before their…

Narratives are a wonderful way to allow students to personalize mathematics. In the context of this article, the authors define narratives as short stories, written by students, that contain a mathematical work problem centered on students' lives and interests. These narratives can be supported with art, such as drawings or photographs. When…

As much as ever before, mathematics teachers are searching for ways to connect mathematics to real-life scenarios within STEM contexts. As students develop skill in proportional reasoning, they examine graphical representations of linear functions, learn to associate "slope" with "steepness" and rate of change, and develop…

In this culture of instantaneous technology, students are familiar with immediate feedback. To maintain student engagement, it is vital for teachers to create similarly interactive experiences. Student-centered instruction is important in connecting students to key mathematical concepts. If the connection is not obvious, they may be unaware of…

As information technology continues to progress, teaching mathematic with multimedia is becoming a new way of instruction. Integrating technology enables students to become more active in the learning process. When students feel more vested in actual learning, retention of the material tends to rise significantly. This article describes how tools…

No person, place, or thing can capture the attention of a class of sixth graders like "man's best friend." To prompt students' interest in a series of lessons on proportional relationships, the authors brought in a unique teaching aid--a dog. A family dog was used to supply the measurements for scatter plots and variables so that students could…