I love to innovate creative ways to make math fun! I love thinking of new approaches to teach a familiar concept. I'm an avid hobby vb.net programmer, and use my coding skills to create teaching worksheets and software designed around my own students’ needs. My most popular product line is my Collaborative Math Mosaic series. Topics range from middle school to advanced functions! Teachers and students alike love these!
I love to innovate creative ways to make math fun! I love thinking of new approaches to teach a familiar concept. I'm an avid hobby vb.net programmer, and use my coding skills to create teaching worksheets and software designed around my own students’ needs. My most popular product line is my Collaborative Math Mosaic series. Topics range from middle school to advanced functions! Teachers and students alike love these!
Engage your whole class this Christmas in a giant collaborative math colouring quest! This high-school take on "colour-by-number" style worksheets will have even your most reluctant students working to complete their assignments!
For Christmas this year, I wanted to give you all something awesome! Compared to the amazing grace God showed the world when he sent his Son on that first Christmas, this giant free bundle is a very very small gift to help you and your students remember God's great promise fulfilled "...the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." (Luke 1:78-79)
Each student's worksheet represents a small piece of the bigger picture, a nativity scene. Students complete the math problems, and use their answers to colour according to the key. When the work is done, the coloured sheets are put together to reveal the large pixel image.
It's Simple:
1. Calculate
2. Colour
3. Cut
4. Combine!
INCLUDED (zip folder with 12 versions in .docx and .pdf format):
• Analytic Geometry (slope, midpoint, length, perimeter, median, altitude, bisector…)
• Function Transformations (y= a f(x-h) + k form: quadratic, radical, reciprocal, cubic)
• Linear Equations (one and two step, distributing, like terms multi-step)
• Linear Systems (graphing, elimination, substitution)
• Percentage (sales & discounts, tax, part/whole/percent proportions, increase/decrease)
• Pythagorean Theorem (application problems)
• Quadratic Equations (solve by factoring, isolating, or quadratic formula)
• Sine and Cosine Laws (solve for sides and angles)
• Sinusoidal Transformations (y = a sin or cos[k(x-p)]+q)
• Trig Ratios (SohCahToa for sides or angles)
• Basic Math (add, subtract, multiply, divide, holiday themed word problems and applications)
• Ratios Problems (Holiday themed word problems, and numeric proportions)
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets; they all want to see the finished picture come together!
Leave the picture a secret or show it for motivation… it’s your call.
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheets before they colour each square. This will increase the accuracy of the final picture!
All my "Colouring by..." worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match, and encourage students to do some quality colouring! Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
Merry Christmas!
~Calfordmath
This product is a lyrics video. Merry Christmas y'all! (Find this video also on youtube: https://youtu.be/Yer4d8Ugxf4 ). A .docx Word file of the lyrics is also included for your convenience. Feel free to use this in your schools, or perform it yourselves, and distribute it freely! I didn't compose the music or design the picture... I just wrote the lyrics and performed the rap.
The Christmas Story
(lyrics and rap by Timothy A. Calford, music taken from youtube by soundblue official)
"... that baby born on Christmas morning altered history!"
Quadratic factorising falls into place in a fight against gravity to build the perfect rectangle!
Algebra Tile Factris provides a tactile, visual, and game-ified approach to factorising sure to strengthen any learner’s ability. (Think ‘Tetris meets Algebra Tiles’.) Addictively challenging, students will be learning before they know it! So many students are visual learners, yet factorising is often presented to them as a set of mysterious rules and algorithms to blindly follow.
This download contains the full game .exe file, where you can play the first level for FREE, and then purchase a game license (solo, teacher, or school…) if you’re loving it.
Designed BY a math teacher FOR math teachers. With a Teacher Account, you can access, create and manage classes, adding up to 200 students annually! View your students’ tracked achievements for quick assessment of their factorising strengths and weaknesses. Have students play on your Interactive Whiteboard using the touch-screen buttons; use it in a computer lab with your whole class; have students download and play the game at home for the most enjoyable math homework they’ll ever be assigned!
With leaderboards and personal achievement badges, Factris harnesses the competitive element of online gaming that keeps so many students up to the wee hours. Leaderboards can be narrowed by school board, school, class, modified date, etc. Tell students to play with headphones (they likely have them in their ears anyway!) to enjoy the game’s full techno soundtrack and sound effects.
Algebra Tile Factris is a Windows Desktop Application programmed in VB.net . Download the game and try the demo to make sure you can run it smoothly on your machine! If you’re loving it, you can buy a licensed account at factris.ca to unlock hours of factorising fun and unlimited levels!
Questions or feedback? CalfordMath@live.ca
Teach algebra geometrically! Students will DISCOVER the rules for factorising and completing the square rather than memorize blind algorithms. Algebra tiles can explain the "square" in completing the square, aid students in collecting like terms visually, help with integer operations, and make factorising a visual process! Also, check out Algebra Tile Factris for a game-ified spin on factorizing!
Enter ANY quadratic expression in standard, vertex, or factored form and get a digital algebra tile model!
The tiles snap in place and don't overlap. This is perfect for teaching students to expand, factor and complete the square.
This software requires Windows to run. It is desktop application, created in VB.net (4.5 framework to be specific). I have placed the .exe file in zip folder. It will give you a warning messages, as all .exe files will, when you open the program, but I assure you there is nothing malicious about this software! Simply click "run anyway" or "allow" and enjoy!
I created this out of need! The need for better virtual algebra tiles! Students find physical tiles cumbersome to manipulate, and most of the virtual tiles I've found are very finicky to manipulate! This software is more than a virtual algebra tile modeller... it includes step by step instructions, guiding students to the standard, factored, or vertex form! It recognizes when the tiles have been factored (built into a rectangle) or the square has been competed. More than this, it dynamically knows the answer giving either a green checkmark, a red x, or a yellow "half way checkmark" if their answer is not formatted quite right. There is an option to "Just play with the tiles" if you don't wish to be restricted to quadratic expressions. You can add tiles to the panel and it will give the algebraic polynomial tally up top (and even tell you if your tiles are factorable or not).
As I continue to tweak and update this program I will update the file here, so you can always download a fresh version, should the file change. You can use this on an interactive whiteboard as a teaching tool, or throw the file in a network drive for students to use individually in a computer lab.
Feel free to use this product with your own students, but please do not distribute or post the file openly on the internet or share with colleagues, as this would violate copyright permissions. Send them here! I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Common Core States Standards:
HSF.IF.C.9
HSF.IF.C.8
HSA.SSE.B.3.a
HSA-REI.B.4
HSA-REI.B.4b
Ontario Curriculum: Great for MPM2D, MFM2P, MBF3C, MFM3M, MCR3U
"The tale of a couple of young triangle bachelors, scouting out a party looking to score a few phone numbers..."
Ernie and Stu put their lines to the test when a cute angle is spotted at a hoppin' party. They rely on their knowledge of similarity, proportionality, and trigonometry to prove their compatibility.
Keep it triggy! Check out Trig Treasure Map for a fun right angle trigonometry worksheet, where students solve for missing side lengths using SohCahToa.
This is a FUN little extra to any trigonometry unit! The more math the students understand, the more innuendos and trig references they'll pick up on.
A fresh approach to a culminating activity for grade 9 applied math, far from the routine pencil and paper!
The “MFM1P 6000” is an interactive computer game which gives students an opportunity to show what they have learned, using models and strategies used in current MFM1P classes, while providing endless opportunity for practice and timely remedial help! Students receive instant automated feedback worded in growth mindset language. This program also provides teachers an extensive summary of students strengths and areas of difficulty.
Download the game file, place it in a public handout folder that students can access, and give them 3-4 days to play! Make sure the students have calculators, scrap paper, and perhaps a formula sheet too.
Download Tip
◾Your computer will flag the program as a virus. It is just doing it’s job as it should for any unknown executable file! Be assured it is safe. Click “more info” and then “Run Anyway” etc.
I know how tough it can be to motivate students to review material from the start of the semester in preparation for EQAO and the final exam. Set them loose in a computer lab for a few days with the MFM1P 6000 and watch the magic happen!
Please visit calfordmath.ca/MFM1P6000 for a complete layout of the culminating activity including a complete curriculum connection list, and an up-to-date list of bug fixes and changes.
This activity generates every single problem randomly so that every student has a different set of problems and can try as many attempts as necessary to master each topic. The topics span the MFM1P curriculum, and are arranged in difficulty from $100 to $500 score value. To earn 100%, a student must earn $6000 or more, and complete at least two problems from each category.
I had tremendous engagement and much EQAO success with my grade 9 applied class last year when I piloted this activity. I have also added and tweaked many things! The game is a Windows Desktop Application designed for a PC. It is not web based, so you will need to copy the game file to a public handout folder where students can open it.
I think you and your students will LOVE this!
I would love to hear how it goes with your class, and I welcome any suggestions you have! Thanks for checking this out,
~CalfordMath
Calling all π-rates of the Caribbean!
To reach the buried treasure, students must apply the sine, cosine, or tangent ratios, and the Pythagorean Theorem, to calculate all unknown lengths along their path. Right triangle trigonometry just hit the high seas.
INCLUDED:
-> Word (.doc)
-> Colourful handout with instructions
-> Answer key & rubric suggestions
This activity is perfect for Grade 10 Academic or Applied students (ontario curriculum: MPM2D, MFM2P), as it builds the core skill of selecting and using the appropriate trig ratio. This prepares students for the next step of applying this knowledge to real life applications.
This activity is a good compliment to my Angle Tangle Spider Web which focuses on calculating angles.
This is more fun than a straight boring quiz.
There are multiple paths that could be taken, offering some differentiation of ability and student initiative.
Enjoy! ~ CalfordMath
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.SRT.C.8
Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems.
This task differentiates learning by giving keener students the chance to show their understanding by doing fewer (but more challenging) problems. For grading students work, I usually give "all the points" or "half the points" for a partially correct solution. You could break it into quarters if you need to be more specific :)
You can edit the .docx version to suit your specific class needs. This makes a great exam review, even if you don't wish to use it for evaluation purposes!
INCLUDED:
.docx and .pdf file versions
This culminating activity brings all the overall expectations of the grade 10 applied mathematics course (MFM2P) together in an action-packed story line!
Students help the young mathematically-inclined warrior Zachary rescue the kidnapped Princess Eva by applying their knowledge of trigonometry, proportional reasoning, linear relations & systems, quadratic relations, simple trinomial factoring, and 3D measurement.
Will Princess Eva be rescued? Will the Warrior Zachary muster the math power to save the day? Have your students mastered the grade 10 applied mathematics curriculum??
...this task will be the determining factor!
INCLUDED:
.docx and .pdf format of the assignment AND the complete answer key
A triggy web of SohCahToa fun!
Students must use sine, cosine, and tangent ratios to determine unknown acute angle measures. Each angle’s letter corresponds to an answer below, helping to solve the riddle, “What did one spider say to another?”
INCLUDED:
-> PDF (.pdf)
-> Colourful handout with instructions
-> Answer key / Solution
This activity is a good compliment to my Trig Treasure Map (which focuses on calculating side lengths), building the core skill of selecting and using the appropriate trig ratio. This prepares students for the next step of applying this knowledge to real life applications. It’s perfect for Grade 10 Academic or Applied students (Ontario curriculum: MPM2D, MFM2P)
This is more fun than a straight boring worksheet… it has corny joke!
The triangles are set up to ensure all three trig ratios are required, but in some cases, basic interior angle properties could be employed as well. The final “!”-labelled angle requires some careful thought…
Enjoy! ~ CalfordMath
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.SRT.C.8
Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems.
Goal: Model a real life problem with a quadratic relation of the form y=a(x-h)²+k , and use this equation to solve problems.
Problem:
Farmer Bill has 28m of wire fence material to enclose a rectangular garden. He is trying to decide between two possible garden options:
Garden A → in the middle of the yard Garden B → against the barn
Students will create a table of values, a graph, and determine the vertex form equation for each garden, then answer some questions. The product includes two sheets of grid paper. All the instructions / questions fit nicely on one page; students should show their work on a separate sheet of paper.
A sample exemplar is included from a student's work in my own classroom. This makes a nice tidy assignment form MPM2D (Ontario Curriculum)
This gameshow style activity provides great practice for students to recognize the criteria necessitating each trigonometry tool (right and oblique). Students are shown a triangle with some sides and angles given, and they must either:
1) Decide what the most appropriate trig tool would be to determine the unknown (side or angle), or conclude that there is not enough information given to solve it. Or,
2) Decide which trig tool could NOT be used to solve the triangle. (This type of problem really builds a deeper understanding)
Embedded in the Smart Notebook file is a link to the Kahoot! version that you can play with your class too! (They all log on with their own cellular devices and receive immediate feedback, complete with a leaderboard and bonus points for correct-streaks and quick responses... it's really quite an exciting way to review!)
This activity includes the Pythagorean Theorem, Soh Cah Toa (trig ratios), Sine Law, and the Cosine Law.
I designed this for my MPM2D (Grade 10 academic math) class, but it would work well with grade 11 College (MCF3M) or even a quick Grade 11 University (MCR3U) review. It does include oblique (non-right) trig, so be warned if you're thinking of using it for grade 10 applied (MFM2P).
This gameshow style activity works great with write-and-wipe mini whiteboards, or you could make up little signs with the various trig tools printed for students to hold up. Or better yet, get them to use those cell phone for academic purposes and play the Kahoot! version.
Enjoy!
~CalfordMath
Help students to Remember this November as they collaboratively complete the Poppy mosaic. Each student's worksheet represents a small section of the big picture! The end result will look spectacular hanging up in your classroom :)
Also check out the Remembrance Day Poppy mosaic in a :
more basic colour-by-number and number range bundle (5 versions) .
Students solve 1 and 2-step linear equations, then use the answers to colour their worksheets based on the colour key. Their sheets combine to create the large mosaic image!
It's simple!
1. Calculate the answers.
2. Colour the squares.
3. Cut out your section.
4. Combine with the class!
INCLUDED (.pdf and .docx files):
• Full class set of 25 worksheets (all different!) that combine to create the Poppy Mosaic
• Complete Answer Key for all worksheets making assessment a breeze
• Every worksheet has a randomized answer list at the bottom so students can self-assess their work before colouring
• Coloured image of the mosaic with coordinates, guiding you to easy assembly
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets; they all want to see the finished picture come together! High school students love colouring too! This will be a nice change in pace from textbook homework.
Leave the picture a secret or show the answer key for motivation… it’s your call.
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheet before they colour each square. This will increase the accuracy of the final picture!
All my “Colouring by…” worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match (and encourage quality colouring!). Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
If your class size doesn’t line up with 25, no worries! You could hand out some duplicate worksheets if you have a large class (perhaps to a student less likely to enjoy the colouring aspect of this task!) or, you could have some students work pairs (differentiated learning). If you have a small class, in my experience, students are eager to do additional sheets to complete the picture! (Or you could use the answer key to fill in the missing pieces quickly.)
Feedback, suggestions, and frontline stories are always welcomed!
Thanks for checking this out!
~CalfordMath
Students use SohCahToa to solve for sides and angles, then use their answers to colour-by-number and reveal the pixel emoji
INCLUDED
◾ .docx and .pdf files in a zip folder of the worksheet & emoji colouring grid
◾ The worksheet involves 6 solve-for-side problems and 6 solve-for-angle problems, randomly requiring sin, cos, or tan.
◾ A randomized list of answers at the bottom, allowing for student self-assessment
◾ Complete Answer Key (in order!) for the teacher, showing the numeric solution for each problem.
◾ Handy formulas & steps exemplar included in the handout for students' reference
If you like this product, be sure the check out my collaborative math mosaics, where each worksheet represents a small piece of the larger whole-class mosaic!
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheet before they colour each square.
All my “Colouring by…” worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match (and encourage quality colouring!). Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
Feedback, suggestions, and frontline stories are much appreciated!!
Thanks for checking this out!
~CalfordMath
Curriculum Connection:
◾ HSG-SRT.C.8, ◾ MPM2D, ◾ MFM2P, ◾ MBF3C
Students use SohCahToa to solve for sides and angles, then use their answers to colour-by-number and reveal the pixel emoji
INCLUDED
◾ .docx and .pdf files in a zip folder of the worksheet & emoji colouring grid
◾ The worksheet involves 6 solve-for-side problems and 6 solve-for-angle problems, randomly requiring sin, cos, or tan.
◾ A randomized list of answers at the bottom, allowing for student self-assessment
◾ Complete Answer Key (in order!) for the teacher, showing the numeric solution for each problem.
◾ Handy formulas & steps exemplar included in the handout for students' reference
If you like this product, be sure the check out my collaborative math mosaics, where each worksheet represents a small piece of the larger whole-class mosaic!
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheet before they colour each square.
All my “Colouring by…” worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match (and encourage quality colouring!). Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
Feedback, suggestions, and frontline stories are much appreciated!!
Thanks for checking this out!
~CalfordMath
Curriculum Connection:
◾ HSG-SRT.C.8, ◾ MPM2D, ◾ MFM2P, ◾ MBF3C
Students use SohCahToa to solve for sides and angles, then use their answers to colour-by-number and reveal the pixel emoji
INCLUDED
◾ .docx and .pdf files in a zip folder of the worksheet & emoji colouring grid
◾ The worksheet involves 6 solve-for-side problems and 6 solve-for-angle problems, randomly requiring sin, cos, or tan.
◾ A randomized list of answers at the bottom, allowing for student self-assessment
◾ Complete Answer Key (in order!) for the teacher, showing the numeric solution for each problem.
◾ Handy formulas & steps exemplar included in the handout for students' reference
If you like this product, be sure the check out my collaborative math mosaics, where each worksheet represents a small piece of the larger whole-class mosaic!
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheet before they colour each square.
All my “Colouring by…” worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match (and encourage quality colouring!). Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
Feedback, suggestions, and frontline stories are much appreciated!!
Thanks for checking this out!
~CalfordMath
Curriculum Connection:
◾ HSG-SRT.C.8, ◾ MPM2D, ◾ MFM2P, ◾ MBF3C
Students use SohCahToa to solve for sides and angles, then use their answers to colour-by-number and reveal the pixel emoji
INCLUDED
◾ .docx and .pdf files in a zip folder of the worksheet & emoji colouring grid
◾ The worksheet involves 6 solve-for-side problems and 6 solve-for-angle problems, randomly requiring sin, cos, or tan.
◾ A randomized list of answers at the bottom, allowing for student self-assessment
◾ Complete Answer Key (in order!) for the teacher, showing the numeric solution for each problem.
◾ Handy formulas & steps exemplar included in the handout for students' reference
If you like this product, be sure the check out my collaborative math mosaics, where each worksheet represents a small piece of the larger whole-class mosaic!
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheet before they colour each square.
All my “Colouring by…” worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match (and encourage quality colouring!). Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
Feedback, suggestions, and frontline stories are much appreciated!!
Thanks for checking this out!
~CalfordMath
Curriculum Connection:
◾ HSG-SRT.C.8, ◾ MPM2D, ◾ MFM2P, ◾ MBF3C
Students use SohCahToa to solve for sides and angles, then use their answers to colour-by-number and reveal the pixel emoji
INCLUDED
◾ .docx and .pdf files in a zip folder of the worksheet & emoji colouring grid
◾ The worksheet involves 6 solve-for-side problems and 6 solve-for-angle problems, randomly requiring sin, cos, or tan.
◾ A randomized list of answers at the bottom, allowing for student self-assessment
◾ Complete Answer Key (in order!) for the teacher, showing the numeric solution for each problem.
◾ Handy formulas & steps exemplar included in the handout for students' reference
If you like this product, be sure the check out my collaborative math mosaics, where each worksheet represents a small piece of the larger whole-class mosaic!
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheet before they colour each square.
All my “Colouring by…” worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match (and encourage quality colouring!). Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
Feedback, suggestions, and frontline stories are much appreciated!!
Thanks for checking this out!
~CalfordMath
Curriculum Connection:
◾ HSG-SRT.C.8, ◾ MPM2D, ◾ MFM2P, ◾ MBF3C
Students use SohCahToa to solve for sides and angles, then use their answers to colour-by-number and reveal the pixel emoji
INCLUDED
◾ .docx and .pdf files in a zip folder of the worksheet & emoji colouring grid
◾ The worksheet involves 6 solve-for-side problems and 6 solve-for-angle problems, randomly requiring sin, cos, or tan.
◾ A randomized list of answers at the bottom, allowing for student self-assessment
◾ Complete Answer Key (in order!) for the teacher, showing the numeric solution for each problem.
◾ Handy formulas & steps exemplar included in the handout for students' reference
If you like this product, be sure the check out my collaborative math mosaics, where each worksheet represents a small piece of the larger whole-class mosaic!
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheet before they colour each square.
All my “Colouring by…” worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match (and encourage quality colouring!). Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
Feedback, suggestions, and frontline stories are much appreciated!!
Thanks for checking this out!
~CalfordMath
Curriculum Connection:
◾ HSG-SRT.C.8, ◾ MPM2D, ◾ MFM2P, ◾ MBF3C
Students use SohCahToa to solve for sides and angles, then use their answers to colour-by-number and reveal the pixel emoji
INCLUDED
◾ .docx and .pdf files in a zip folder of the worksheet & emoji colouring grid
◾ The worksheet involves 6 solve-for-side problems and 6 solve-for-angle problems, randomly requiring sin, cos, or tan.
◾ A randomized list of answers at the bottom, allowing for student self-assessment
◾ Complete Answer Key (in order!) for the teacher, showing the numeric solution for each problem.
◾ Handy formulas & steps exemplar included in the handout for students' reference
If you like this product, be sure the check out my collaborative math mosaics, where each worksheet represents a small piece of the larger whole-class mosaic!
The student buy-in factor is HUGE with these worksheets
Encourage students to check their answers by finding them in the randomized list on their worksheet before they colour each square.
All my “Colouring by…” worksheets use standard pencil-crayon colours found in the Crayola 24 pack. For best results, use the exact colour name match (and encourage quality colouring!). Perhaps a class set of pencil crayons would be a fun math department investment!
Feedback, suggestions, and frontline stories are much appreciated!!
Thanks for checking this out!
~CalfordMath
Curriculum Connection:
◾ HSG-SRT.C.8, ◾ MPM2D, ◾ MFM2P, ◾ MBF3C