Math and Music Videos

There have been many different studies done to see if there is a connection between how learning music may help students learn math. For the most part experts agree that there is a connection between music and math abilities. Because of these studies once youtube came around it was only natural for math teachers to create parody music videos. 



From a very young age students learn things through songs and rhythms such as the ABC's, but this idea does not need to stop at the elementary level it can be carried through high school. Flocabulary is one program that can help teachers bring music into the class room. Flocabulary has hip hop videos that cover every subject. Each song is very catchy and easy for students to memorize. Flocabulary also pairs the videos with printable lyrics, exercise problems and lesson plans.Unfortunately, this program does cost money but youtube is full of math music videos.


One of the best youtube sites for math music videos is WSHS math department. They are able to rewrite popular songs so that they teach a math concept. Not only do the videos show how to do the math concept they also show students who are excited and having fun with math. These videos are a great way to engage students in the classroom as well as giving them a different way to remember different concepts.  

Math music videos can also be turned into projects for students. This is a way to get students excited about math and they get to use their creativity. Not only will the students better understand the concept they are trying to put into music they will also learn how to create videos and write music and lyrics. Math music videos are a great way to spice up the math classroom.  

Resources

Music and Math [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://www.musicnotion.com/2012/09/14/doodle-music/

Flocabulary [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://www.flocabulary.com

Why do we have to learn this?

In every math class this question comes up at least once. Students want to know why they have to learn math and if and when they will have to use it in real life. This question can become a stumbling block for some teachers, even searching the internet for answers falls short in this area.  Luckily this question and many more math related questions can be answered with the app Elevated Math.

Elevated Math is a great interactive learning tool that covers numbers and operations, Algebra one and everything in between. There is also a special section for SAT and ACT math review. This app is free to download, unfortunately each lesson costs $1.99. The lessons are aligned with the common core which makes it great for use in the classroom.

Each of the lessons has a fun cartoon introduction to the topic and then walks the student through a problem step by step. There is a white board tool underneath the video portion of the app so that students can take notes or work out the problems. Only word problems are given so that each problem relates to real life situations so students can see how math is used out side of school.

Users can also download career videos which are organized into four categories  numbers and operations applied, measurement,  geometry, and algebra applications. Under each category there are a list of jobs that use that kind of math. For example under the algebra category a skateboard park designer is listed along with six other professions. Each video has a person of that profession talk about how math is used, they even walk the viewer through a few simple math problems that are used in that career field. One of the videos shows how a jazz musician used fractions to write music and create different beats. 

This app can be a get asset to the classroom. Many schools now have ipads for students to use and this is a great way for students review topics and work at their own pase while being entertained.  Elevated math helps answer that ever looming question in math classes: Why do we have to learn this? 

References

Cartoon picture [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from Elevated Math app

Infinity Design [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/elevated-math/id435995971?mt=8

Desmos a Great Addition to the Math Classroom

A basic graph on the TI-84 plus

Graphing calculators have become a staple for middle school and high school math classes. In 2000, the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics recommend the use of  graphing calculator technology . The research done on graphing calculators in the classroom has shown that it has a positive effect on student learning (Horton, Storm, & Leonard, 2004).

Most high schools now use or have access to graphing calculators the most common being the TI-84. Although these calculators are a great asset to math classes, there are a few disadvantages to using the normal school issued graphing calculator especially when it comes to graphing. One of these disadvantages being graphs are displayed in black and white. This becomes an issue when students are graphing multiple equations, it can be hard to tell the different graphs a part. Also, plotting points can also be very difficult and time consuming for students on the calculator. 

Sunset created by functions on Desmos

There is an amazing program that is free online called Desmos that can help with these issues. The program is an online calculator that has great features especially for students in algebra one and two. The user can easily plot points, and graph lines and functions. Each plot can be set as a different color, so each function is easily distinguishable. 

This program can aid students who are first learning about functions because it is so easy to change the functions, the students can easily see how small changes to the function can affect the graph. Graphs can also be saved, which lends itself to fun creative student projects. It can sometimes be hard to incorporate student creativity into math classes but students can use Desmos and their understanding of functions and graphs to create colorful pictures. Desmos can also do basic calculator functions like addition and multiplication and work with trig functions. 

Graphs of sin(x) and cos(x) on Desmos

Desmos is also great for students in Trigonometry because the labels on the x and y axis can be changed to increments of pi. Which can make graphing sine and cosine much easier.  There is also a projector setting for teachers to make sure all of the students can see the graph and equations. 

Desmos will not completely replace the hand held graphing calculator in the classroom but it is definitely a great resource to enhance student learning.

Resources

Argyle_jiwonjeong. (Artist). Sunset [Web Drawing]. Retrieved from https://www.desmos.com/calculator/5ztag1oppl

Ball. (Artist). Sine and Cosine  [Web Drawing]. Retrieved from https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Horton, Storm, & Leonard (2004). The graphing calculator as an aid to teaching algebra.Contemporary Issues in Technology and Te acher Education, 4(2), 152 -162.

Picture of Ti-84 plus [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://wp.lps.org/ehsmath/resources/