the mathsmith collage

the mathsmith collage

Sunday, October 21, 2012

#myfavfriday - more like myfavfrunday - Watson Street Loft

So, this past Friday, we went to a wedding reception at Oak Openings Lodge.  We had a good time, particularly because the local band Watson Street Loft played.  They generally play the type of music that I listened to back in college (so mainly late 90s - early 2000s).  However, they had some fun surprises in store for this particular event.  See, the groom is the bass player, so they had a good friend substitute for him most of the night (the guy in blue on the right):


They Rick Roll'd the event, saying that song best described
the love the newlyweds shared.



For a few songs, the groom stepped in on bass.


Right before my husband and I left, their other surprise was revealed: Call Me Maybe...thought you TMC12 folks would appreciate that...some people even started a conga line for this song.

Here are some pictures I took of the band back in August when I first saw Watson Street Loft:


 I also featured them in my photoblog post...scroll down to #9.
I can't wait to hear them play again.  If you are ever in the Toledo area, check them out.  They are quite talented and worth a listen.


Saturday, October 13, 2012

#MyFavFriday - err MyFavFraturday - Ukulele


I love when we have unexpected plans.  My good friend from college, Merry, called me on Thursday asking if she, her dad, and her friend could crash in our living room on their way up to Traverse City, MI for a ukulele concert.  Naturally, we said YES!  They are on their way to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain...seriously jealous.  At one point this past summer, I played a bunch of their songs on youtube as my soundtrack to making birthday cookies for my husband:

Side note: that vanilla is from the Dominican Republic.

Anyways, I think I have finally found my hook for teaching math, making it beyond interesting, and have an excuse for making youtube videos about it: Math Ukulele...err Mathulele!  

I play guitar:


So, I think I could easily pick up the ukulele.

Any thoughts?  Any song ideas? 

What's your hook?



Monday, October 8, 2012

Spinning Plates




So, now that it's October, I must confess that it's getting difficult to balance grading papers, lesson plans, etc. along with trying to maintain the habits brought forth by the summer...including #made4math  Mondays and #myfavfriday.  Sometimes I feel like this...minus the dress:









This week is no exception.  Tomorrow after school, we have a faculty meeting AND parent teacher conferences.  I found out that parent teacher conferences are in the gym, so I can't even use my computer when I don't have parents to talk to.

Anyways, I hear the 2nd trimester is always easier...

(cliche pregnancy joke...NO I'M NOT PREGNANT...our school is on trimesters.)



Anyone else feeling the same way?

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

#made4math M-Tuesday - Course Binders


Since I am going backwards in technology this year (I'm using an overhead projector instead of a computer projector with an interactive whiteboard or tablet), I am compiling printouts into binders for future use.  Also, since we have trimesters instead of semesters, I'm going to be teaching the same courses a few times this year.  So, it'll be extremely helpful to have everything together in one binder.



 Recognize this syllabus?

Review Packet

We start Algebra 1 B in chapter 3.



I printed out guided notes on paper 
for the original AND transparencies.

Filing worksheets and fun activity sheets

Keeping all quizzes and tests together, including
originals and keys.