We just finished graphing in my calculus class and spent Thursday reviewing for an exam. One of the kids was questioning concavity. I did my usual, explaining that concave up was like a happy face, you feel happy when you are up and concave down was the frown when you were sad. One kid said she remembered concave up because it began with a U like "up". We all agreed that was great. Another kid, a sweet, innocent (or so I thought) yelled out "concave up is like two legs in the air." Needless to say, we all started laughing. I don't know if I will ever be able to teach concavity again with a straight face.
6 comments:
SO NYC classroom. How do you even describe moment like this to outsiders?
And what would a Tweedle do with a comment like that? Probably just log it.
haha you call that a teachable moment. and then you write about it in your blog and laughter ensues ...
I make my "Pi"s with a little loop up top, on the left. I know it's wrong, but the symbol is still identifiable.
So I do this one day in front of a class of teaching fellows. Adults, right? And one of them asks why, and I explain that you sort of get a backwards P, and that Pi really stands for periphery (like perimeter), and that the script-y thing just tends to emphasize the P-ness of the symbol.
But I said that out loud. Why were 25 adults staring at me with their jaws wide open?
Jonathan
PO--thanks for stopping by my blog.
YIKES! I see you teach calculus--I confess: math, not my strong suit at all.
I teach English in our local community college.
Despite subject difference and age difference of students we teach, I have a sneaking suspicion, we have the same issues to deal with!
I also teach at the local community college so I have experience with both groups.
It is simply remarkable answer
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