My own 3 act problem

Introducing application problems to my elementary algebra class today...  I tried my own 3 act problem.  I think that it turned out alright.
The set up:

The info:
Jet's menu

Jet's menu with sizes

Pizza per person expert

The students came up with LOTS of questions.  Then figured out how to answer most of them.  When I have more time I will post the questions and some of the answers.

It was a good intro to the application problems, which overall are not nearly as much fun as 3 act problems.  

How can I make all of the application problems more fun?

Great way to introduce a topic

In my Calculus class, we have been studying applications of derivatives... 

First derivatives and all of the great information that come with them.

Second derivatives and their special qualities.  

We have been curve sketching, asking questions different ways by looking at graphs and determining where the first derivative is > 0 or where the 2nd derivative is > 0.  Fun stuff.

Then we came to Optimization problems.

I used Dan Meyer's Taco Cart problem to kick it off.  (Find the problem here:
http://threeacts.mrmeyer.com/tacocart/)

What a great way to start Optimization!!!

The class came up with the main questions that need to be answered.  As a class, we figured out the easier ones first.  Then came the set up for the optimization problem...  went SO smoothly.  Everyone was on board.  The rest of the lesson and problem set up was great!  Hopefully that will carry over to the test.

(unlike when we did related rates...  usually during class, I will give/show an example to model how to think about a problem, then I have the students work on a few problems on their own or in small groups, so the students feel some frustration and THINK through the set up...  when we did related rates, I gave the students the option to a)have me go through the problems for the whole class or b) to do our usual work...  they chose option a).  It was one of the most painful lessons that I have ever taught.  UGH...  what was extremely eye-opening was that when these students were tested on problems VERY SIMILAR to what I did in class, they did horridly...  I mean really, really, really poorly.  They thought that the problems were 'easy' because they felt that they understood the problems as I did them.)

Love the enthusiasm!!!

I received this email from a current student yesterday.

HI, Barbie,

 

I GET IT!!! I've been going through the book and doing the problems by manually and I'm beginning to understand it!  I've only worked through 11.1, but considering how lost I was after class yesterday, I feel I'm making progress!!! LOL

 

I was so excited that I couldn't wait until Monday to tell you!!! You don't know how relieved I am.  lol

 

Have a really great weekend!  See you Monday.  =) 

 

Regards,

<student name withheld>

How cool is that.  This student is a strong student.  She has told me that she hates math, but loves our class.  She has been frustrated with the material lately.

WOO HOO!

What's your excuse? (I am a pushover)

I gave a test last week.  Prior to the test I had not received any notes/calls/emails/etc that students would not be able to take the test.  How exciting for me...

Then the excuses started flying:

• I am contagious.  (I have a doctor's note)
• Sure.  Please stay home.  The test can be made up.
• I am not ready to take it right now, could I have more time?
• Sure.  Go study.  You need to take it before the next time we meet.
• I am at a funeral today and won't make it to the test.
• Sure.  You did not know about the funeral yesterday?
• My car broke down last night and I don't have a ride to school today.
• Sure.  Oh... you are going to take the test during our next class...  so you are missing new material to take the test.  Sure.
• I overslept and have another class right now.
• Sure.
• My green card was revoked.  I have been out of the country trying to get back in.
• Sure.  ?!?  never heard that reason before ?!?
• I promised my mom that I would work for her today and cannot make it to the test.
• Really?  The test has been on the schedule since January.  But Sure.

I am a pushover.  I believe every excuse is probably valid.  Just when they come pouring in all at once that it becomes a bit surreal.

Are we breaking up?

I went through a break up last week...

He said the dreaded phrase:

"It's not you, it's me"

It's not working out, I don't have time for this, I wish it could be another way

And just like that it was over.  I didn't say much.

I did ask "Are you sure?" and he just said 'yes' and walked away.



Then the student left my office and withdrew from the class.  I felt bad for the student, but was inspired by the conversation...  and finally came up with a blog title...  hence the beginning of "It's Not You, It's Math"