How hard is it to add the graph of a function to a photograph? Not very hard, if you have the right software, as I discovered last week. But the real question is why? A few weeks ago I stumbled on an article about a photographer who adds math functions to her photographs. A sample photograph of her work is shown on the right. Immediately, the gears in my head started turning, "I remember working with software that can do this…. I smell a classroom activity or possibly even a math contest on flickr."
The problem was that I couldn't remember the name of the software. I tried several: Graph, MathGV, and http://fooplot.com/. All of them are free, but none of them could add pictures to the graph. Then I remembered an engineering marvel called GeoGebra. Its free software for high school geometry and algebra, and most importantly, you can add pictures to your graphs.
Here are the steps to add the graph of a function to a photograph:
- Upload (or download) a photograph to your computer.
- Download GeoGebra from the website: http://www.geogebra.org/cms/en/download. If you don't want to install it (or can't) on your computer, choose "Applet Start."
- Run GeoGebra.
- Add the photograph. Click on the down arrow over the purple pinwheel. A menu will pop up. Select "Insert Image." Browse to the image.
- Show the coordinate axes. Right-click on the picture. Choose "Object Properties." Select the "Style" tab and then move the "Filling" cursor to around 25. You should be able to see through the picture.
- Move the picture using the "Move" tool. When you are done, set it as the background. Right-click the picture. Check off "Background Image" under the "Basic" tab.
- Type in a function in the input box at the bottom. For example, type in
y=x^2 and press enter. - Re-save the picture with the graph. Select File>>Export>>Graphics View as Picture. A dialog box will pop up. Accept the defaults and press "Save."
Tips
- If you move the graph of the function with the "Move" tool, the equation will auto-magically update.
- You can change the color of the functions.
- Don't forget to change the "Filling" of the picture back to 100 (step 5) when you are done.
Was that so hard? Your students don't have to go through all these hoops if you create a GeoGebra file with the picture pre-loaded. Tailor the allowed functions for your class. For example, in a first-year Algebra class (that still hasn't covered quadratics), allow only linear functions.
Now for the contest: upload your pictures to flickr.com, join the "amscomath" group by going here, and then click "Send to group" from the photo page. OR, if flickr is blocked in your school, then you can email the photos to:
amscomath AT live DOT com
Pictures will be judged on originality, creativity, and correctness. The following would make a neat picture (hint): a golden rectangle superimposed over a person's face or body.
First prize is a free book. The contest ends on May 10 at 12 p.m.
Have fun!
One obstacle facing teachers who use the TI-83/84 calculators is "upgrading" to the new TI-Nspire—how can I do something (for example, scatter plots) that I am used to doing on the TI-83/84 on the new TI-Nspire? I addressed this issue in my presentation in the TI^3 (pronounced TI cubed) conference in Atlanta a few weeks ago. At the TI^3 conference, educators from all over the world gathered to share how they use TI products in their classroom. No, it's not all marketing hype—in the US, the TI-83/84 graphing calculators are currently the de facto standard in high schools. The conference is highly recommended if you are a teacher. My presentation covered how to do basic two-variable statistics on the TI-Nspire; i.e., how to do most of the material that you would cover in an Algebra class on scatter plots on the TI-Nspire.
The handout is available for download here. Make sure to also download the calculator files.
Note: The handout is written for the "old" 1.7 OS. In case you didn't know, TI recently made major updates to the operating systems of both the TI-Nspire and TI-84. The updates are mainly in the area of user-friendliness, specially for the TI-Nspire. Honestly, while I found the old TI-Nspire packed with useful features, it was at times hard to use (mainly because of the arrow keys). The update is a welcome change. It also adds a few additional features (for example, you can now do bar graphs of categorical data), so it may be worthwhile to update in case you haven't already.
I will update the handout for the new OS as soon as I get a chance. All the math-related steps still work. However, some of the bookkeeping steps may not (such as opening a file, inserting a new app)—TI has completely revamped these.
Enjoy!
In case you didn't know, the books in our series Integrated Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry (by Ann Gantert) have additional resources available.
Each textbook has:
- an accompanying workbook: Preparing for the Regents Examination: Integrated Algebra 1, Preparing for the Regents Examination: Geometry, and Preparing for the Regents Examination: Algebra 2 and Trigonometry. All our workbooks are written by NY teachers for NY teachers. The authors of the Algebra 2 workbook were both named LI Teacher of the Year (in different years, of course). Each workbook not only covers the NY curriculum completely but can stand on its own as a content resource. The workbooks are another great source of problems. One more fact: the workbooks are updated every year to include the latest NY regents.
- a test bank. Each test bank contains over 1,000 Regents-style questions. No, these are not test generators. What you'll find are a ready-to-print quiz for each section of the textbook. There are also chapter and cumulative review quizzes.
- a teacher's manual on CD. Not only will you find teacher tips in this resource but also extra Hands-On Activities, Enrichment Activities, SAT-type questions, and Chapter Tests.
Amsco has partnered with Texas Instruments (TI) and Jefferson Math Project (JMAP).
- TI's Activities Exchange. Click on Textbook Search to find calculator activities aligned to your Amsco textbook. There are activities for all of TI's calculators, including the new TI-Nspire. Use the textbook code
TI: AM (for Amsco).
- JMAP.org. JMAP is a free resource compiled by NY teachers for NY teachers. You can download worksheets and lesson plans aligned to your Amsco textbook. There are even links to videos.
If your school has a math computer lab, you may find the WinPossible Tutorials to be a perfect fit. The tutorials review the basic concepts covered in each section of the textbooks. You'll also find additional practice questions for each section. (Please note that the tutorial for Algebra 2 and Trigonometry is in the works.)
On July 29, 2009, AMSCO began Integrated Algebra 1 Regents Review classes at Nassau BOCES. The program, which ran through August 14, 2009, was a success. AMSCO classes have proven to be an excellent model for how strong integration of good curricula resources helps students prepare for and pass the Integrated Algebra 1 Regents exam in New York state.
A total of 58 students participated in taking the Integrated Algebra 1 Regents on August 13, 2009, from approximately 8:30 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m. Out of 58 students, 21 participated in the AMSCO-sponsored program. Of the 21 students, 18 passed, and the combined class average was about 86%.
The AMSCO-sponsored program was a huge success. With a passing rate of over 80%, students who used the Preparing for the Regents Examination, Integrated Algebra I by Andres and Bernstein in the classroom, and students who used the Integrated Algebra I textbook by Gantert for homework and reference, outperformed students in a similar Regents prep class.
About 24 students registered for the AMSCO-sponsored program. Nassau BOCES conducted the program at West Hempstead High School and split the Regents Review into two periods. This allowed for a student-to-teacher (yours truly) ratio of 13: 1 for the session conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and a ratio of 11:1 for the session conducted from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Preparing for the Regents Examination Integrated Algebra I by Andres and Bernstein was used for classroom review of topics, and then the matching topic chapters were assigned from Integrated Algebra I by Gantert. This allowed students to focus on topics through a detailed survey of the essential components of the Integrated Algebra 1 Regents exam. Some work was collected – however, no class exam or class grade was issued. On August 14, 2009, only the Integrated Algebra 1 Regents Exam grade was reported to home schools and parents.
Out of the 24 participants in the AMSCO-sponsored program, two were absent on the examination date, and one student was scheduled to take the RCT in lieu of the Algebra 1 Regents; he passed the RCT. So, only 21 students took the Integrated Algebra 1 exam. Out of the 21 students, the two failing grades were 62% and 54%. The 18 passing grades ranged from 65% to 90%.
I am happy to report that the usability of AMSCO publications, including teachers’ supplemental resources, was above average and played a critical role in the high performance of students and their successful experience in the program. One or two students took the course to advance and will probably start Geometry as freshmen; others took it as a way to ensure correct placement. Thanks to AMSCO, all the students who earned a passing score have now officially satisfied their mathematics graduation requirements and can begin the new school year on track.
I hope to conduct future programs similar to this one and recommend similar programs in curricula involving high-stakes testing. From mathematics to science to social studies to foreign language, it is clear that a lead role by AMSCO in high-stakes testing can only produce excellent results. 
In case you can't read the sign, that's my name at the bottom!
Last month, I was asked to present Young Author writing awards at Corydon Intermediate School (4-5-6 grades) in Corydon, Indiana (Southern Indiana, in case you're wondering). Despite having a lot of fun going back to my hometown and being included in an event that is near and dear to my heart-young writers and readers-it was also a little strange because CIS used to be the old high school.
Hate to tell you how many times I attended basketball games, played volleyball, sat through boring school assemblies, or danced at post-basketball game sockhops in that same gym!
Never, in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd ever stand on that gym floor, in front of people-filled bleachers and have to talk! Yikes! Quite an experience.
I also had the privilege to speak to my dear friend, Barbara Smith's 4th grade class. I spent almost an hour answering questions about my series, writing in general and just having fun...in the same room where I sweated through (barely passed) Algebra I!
Barbara (we played together as kids and went to high school together) saw the irony, too. We had a good laugh over the strict atmosphere of that same class. In fact, she frequently mentions our old Algebra teacher to her students and tells them if they aren't quiet, Miss Eskew's spirit just might have some choice words for them!
I'll post more pictures of my visit in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, "neener-neener-neeeeeeener, Miss Eskew! I spoke for an hour in your classroom, and lived to tell about it!
Mary
If you want to check out my series, go to Quake
or, my website: Mary Cunningham Books
This post, "Have algebra books changed?", by Maria at the always worthwhile Homeschool Math Blog, caught my eye. Good to read read even if your kids aren't quite ready for algebra.
Kelly at Big A little a is ready with the 10th Carnival of Children's Literature. Lots of good stuff, or "toasty posts" as Kelly calls them, to read on a cold winter's day (or night)!
A classical homeschooling
I love this story because I think it eloquently demonstrates the following dispositi
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Cheers to the authors and editors of those excellent books!