INTERMATH | Rational Numbers Workshop
Atlanta Public Schools - September 19, 2007 to December 19, 2007

Program:	Rational Numbers - Wednesday
Location:	Atlanta Public Schools
Instructor and Contact Information:	Laurel Bleich LaurelBleich@gmail.com

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this course is for teachers to:

• Develop mathematical content knowledge
• Explore mathematical investigations using technology
• Become more proficient with technology for mathematical problem solving
• Align mathematical investigations with Georgia Performance Standards

The participants in this course will be expected to:

• Complete 10 write-ups and align work with the GPS's
  • Here is a template for your write-ups (in Word format).
  • Here is a sample write-up.
• Complete 2 lesson plans aligning with GPS's
  • Here is a template for your lesson plan (in Word format).
• Write a reflection and email it to the instructor after each class meeting

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

As a result of this course, participants will demonstrate their ability to:

• Incorporate technology into the learning and teaching of rational number concepts.
• Communicate mathematical understanding of a variety of rational number concepts in the form of an online portfolio of investigation solutions.
• Plan middle school instructional activities based on InterMath experiences.

PARTICIPANTS

 COURSE SCHEDULE AND SYLLABUS

Wednesday, September 19 - Week 1  Parts             

1. Introduction to InterMath
   
2. Talking Points Quiz
   
3. Demo Problem: Introduction to Fraction Bars
   
4. Group investigations
   
   Surrounding Numbers
   
   
5. Individual Investigation
   
   Land Dispute
   Musical Chairs
   Fractional Parts
   Pandigital Fraction
   Those Fractions in Between

Wednesday, September 26 - Week 2  Parts of Parts

1. Demo Problem: Let's Operate on Fractions
   
2. Group investigations
   
   Where is that Fraction?
   Fraction Situations
   
   
3. Individual Investigations:
   
   Exploring Multiplication with Fractions
   What Happens When...
   Can you tell?
   Fraction Figures

Wednesday, October 3 - Week 3   Geometry, Fractions

1. Demo Problem: Dividing a Rectangle
   
2. Group Investigation
   Double Trouble
   
3. Individual investigations
   
   Equal Portions
   Cutting the Cake

Wednesday, October 10 - Week 4  Pesky Parts I

1. Demo Problems
   
   Cans and Containers
   Exploring Division with Fractions
   
   
2. Individual investigations
   
   The Meaning of 1/3
   What does 3 divided by 1/2 look like?

Wednesday, October 17 - Week 5 Pesky Parts II

1. Group investigations
   
   Division Pattern
   Jacob's Idea
   Natasha's Idea
   Dueling Speakers

Wednesday, October 24 - Week 6 Decimal Concepts

1. Demo Problem: Approximate Digit Use
   
2. Group Investigations
   
   Estimating the Point
   
   
3. Individual Investigations
   
   Nonrepeating Decimals
   Creating Integers
   Unit fractions: Terminating, Repeating, or Never-ending
   What coins?
   Money Puzzle
   Difficult Change

Saturday, November 3 (tentative) - Week 7  Decimal Models

1. Demo Problem: Representing Decimals
   
2. Group Invesigations
   
   Moving the Point
   Decimal Division
   Modeling Multiplication
   
   
3. Individual Investigations
   
   Spending it all
   Library Fines
   Decimal Products

Wednesday, November 7 - Week 8  Percents

1. Group Investigations
   
   Beaker Comparison
   Predicting the Value of a House
   
   
2. Individual Investigations
   
   Discounting Cars
   Raising Salaries
   Choosing a Loan
   It's on Lacey
   Drinking Coca-Cola

Wednesday, November 14 - Week 9  Sum Difference

1. Demo Problem: Mathopia Farm
   
2. Group Investigations
   
   Geometric Sequences and Series
   Johnny's Rule
   
   
3. Individual Investigations
   
   Making Unit Fractions
   Adding Fractions
   Proper Fraction Fury
   Splitting Fractions in Two
   What Happens When...

Wednesday, November 28 - Week 10 Ratios

1. Group Investigations
   
   Adding Ratios
   Which is Larger?
   Jumping Monkeys
   Ratio of a + b to b + c
   
   
2. Individual Investigations
   
   Boys and Girls in the Class
   Mathematics Football Players
   Comparing Properties
   Students in the Class
   Building Roofs
   Laurel's Muffins

Wednesday, December 5 - Week 11  Proportional Simulations

1. Demo Problem: Drink Mixes
   
2. Group Investigations
   
   Math & Cookies
   Proportions and Graphs
   
   
3. Individual Investigations
   
   Maximum Capacity
   Shopping for Soup
   Which Movie is Best?
   Fair Share

Wednesday, December 12 - Week 12  Inverse Proportions

1. Demo Problem: Inversely Proportional
   
2. Group Investigations
   
   Exploring Rectangle Properties
   
   
3. Individual Investigations
   
   Camera Lens Aperture
   Volume and Pressure

Wednesday, December 19 - Week 13  Geometry & Rational Numbers

1. Demo Problem: Volume & Surface Area of a Cube
   
2. Group Investigations
   
   Intersecting Chords
   Paper Folding
   
   
3. Individual Investigations
   
   Triangle in a Quadrilateral
   Triangles in a Trapezoid
   Proportional Rectangles

Week 14  Probability and Rational Numbers

1. Group Investigations
   
   Getting Free
   Varying Probabilities
   
   
2. Individual Investigations
   
   Unfair Coins
   Triangle Inside a Parallelogram
   Medial Probabilities
   Increasing Your Chances
   Adding Marbles
   Sum of the Dice
   Bonus Free Throws
   
   
3. Posttest