Aim to Be Awesome, Not Perfect

This week I am hoping to incorporate more inquiry in my lessons, specificially in my onlevel classes. This week we are learning about circumference and area of circles, and rather than just teach them the formulas, I thought it would be more meaningful for them to actually experience it.  It is also a great unit to read some story books - like  Sir Cumference and the First Round Table . Tuesday's plan is to read them the book to help with vocabulary and then have them work on an activity that has them examining the relationship of the circumference and diameter using yarn, and then measuring the diameter with a ruler to estimate the circumference.  I got it from For the Love of Teaching Math , but I can't find the actual file, which is why I haven't linked it.  There are similar activities in her store. I think the story will help with recall of circle vocabulary and by seeing that a little more than 3 diameters make the circumference will make this "stick"

I should blog more... I know it is a good reflection practice and I feel like a struggling teacher again. But finding time to write and topics to discuss is hard.  But the best way to get back on this metaphorical horse is to just write. My #oneword for 2016 is BALANCE. Looking back, I feel like I didn't have a lot of balance in my life this year.  During the school year, I was all work.  Summer, I was all about being a bum.  I only remember reading 2 books this year... and for me, that is shocking.  I usually read at least 10 books a year (it was way more when I wasn't a teacher).  I have a list a mile long of projects I want to complete in my home - but none have been accomplished in the last 6 months. So this year, I will be more about balance.  I will not be 100% immersed in work but I will also not be a total 100% bum. I will accomplish more on my long-term lists.  I will actually start exercising. I will work on being balanced. What is your #oneword?