Experiencing Mathematics: Activities to Engage the High School Student is the result of the collaborative effort of nine Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) National Board Certified Teachers in mathematics. This teacher edition is a compilation of successful activities that prompt high school students to explore, conjecture, and reflect on their mathematical adventures-thus "experience" mathematics. The relevant nature of the activities will motivate students to pursue their investigations with vigor and take the intellectual risk necessary to construct knowledge and improve problem-solving competence.
This edition will educate teachers regarding tenets of cognitive science, motivation theory, and the NCTM/NBCT standards. It will dispel the myth that the crowded curriculum does not have room for such activities and, in fact, will convince teachers that using such activities increases teacher and student motivation and achievement. The resources provide detailed instructions for each activity, along with student prompts and reflective questions for the teacher.
R. James Breunlin is the mathematics department chair of Schaumburg High School in Schaumburg, Illinois. He teaches AP Statistics, is active in mentoring NBCT candidates and part of a UCSMP authoring team for an Algebra 1 text.
Timothy Kasper is a 2003 National Board Certified Teacher in AYA Mathematics.
Michelle Kolet is a 2003 National Board Certified Teacher in AYA Mathematics. Michelle has taught algebra, calculus, and trigonometry and has focused on using graphing calculators and computer algebra systems to make learning meaningful for her students.
Kendra Letzel became a National Board Certified Teacher in AYA Mathematics in 2004.
Thomas Letzel is a National Board Certified Teacher of science at Schaumburg High School. He has been teaching for 10 including AP physics and an interdisciplinary course between physical science and algebra.
John Noah received his National Board Certification in 2003. He currently teaches algebra and calculus at Schaumburg High School.
Jennifer Schutte received National Board Certification in 2004 and teaches geometry and algebra.
Bob Williams has taught high school mathematics for the past 25 years as well as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability, and Statistics. He obtained his National Board Certification in 2005.
Chris Zickert received National Board Certification in 2003 in AYA math and teaches AP computer science, Cisco CCNA certification, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and precalculus.
