September 2023

Tech in Mrs. Ward’s Classroom:

9th Grade Integrated Algebra/Geometry
Nearpod Slides
Features
Open-Ended
Question
Draw It
Matching Pairs
Quiz
Fill in the Blanks
Memory Test
Poll
Flipgrid
Nearpod: Interactive and Student- Collaborate Board
Centered Lessons Time to Climb
This year, there will be several units during which we make use of the
interactive lesson app, Nearpod. Students will access the Nearpod lesson I Additional Nearpod
have created for that day by imputing the classroom code into the Nearpod Features
app that has been downloaded onto each student’s school-issued iPad. I am
Imbedded videos,
able to view which students have joined and are active on the Nearpod
lesson to ensure active participation and engagement with the lesson. web content,
Nearpod has a “Live Participation” mode that allows students to follow along simulations, pdfs,
and engage with the slides that I am projecting on the board. It’s multitude of and more!
slides features, listed to the right, make it possible for me to monitor students’
progress on activators, guided practice, and formative assessments in real
time. Time to Climb is a fun, multiple-choice, Kahoot-style quiz game that
Student-Paced Mode
students have enjoyed as a review activity in past years.
Students can use Nearpod’s
One reason that I am super excited to use Nearpod this year is because of “Student-Paced” mode
the draw feature. This feature allows students to write on the displayed outside of class time to
problem with all of the flexibility that they would have on paper. In our review a lesson and rework
upcoming unit on polynomials, for example, the draw feature gives students problems at their own pace. If
space to show the steps they took to solve a quadratic equation via they were absent that day,
completing the square or factoring, but this feature can also include a they can use this mode to
coordinate plane where students solve the equation via graphing too. It is work through exactly what we
easy to imagine how this draw feature will benefit students in noting triangle covered in class. I am able to
congruencies in our geometry units as well. Every feature on Nearpod can see student’s work in student-
have a timer enabled or unlimited time. Once students have had a chance to paced mode just as I would in
attempt a problem on their own, I am able to anonymously display student’s live participation mode. This
work on the Nearpod lesson for us to discuss and build off of as a class. I can feature will also include the
display a strong start that one student made on a problem and then switch homework each day for
to a different student’s more worked out solution. This Nearpod function students who would prefer to
empowers students as co-creators of learning, and it allows me to center complete homework virtually
student thinking in lessons and easily identify common student mistakes. rather than on paper.
Tech in Mrs. Ward’s Classroom September 2023

Graphing and Geometric Construction

Another tech tool that we will make use of in our integrated
algebra/geometry class this year is the web-based program,
GeoGebra. This program has a “Resources” section and a
“Calculator” section. We will primarily make use of the
calculator section, which includes graphing, geometry, and 3D
graphing features, as pictured to the right. The “Resources”
section contains pre-made practices of algebra and geometry
skills that students should have mastered in middle school, and
students will be instructed to access this section of the website
as needed for student review and scaffolding.
Algebra: Solving Systems of Equations via Graphing

The “Calculator” will be helpful in several of our algebra units,

such as when using the graphing feature during our systems of
equations unit, but it will be particularly beneficial when we go
about constructing and proving theorems about various
geometric shapes. In our circles unit in geometry, for example,
GeoGebra’s geometry feature will allow us to easily inscribe
quadrilaterals within circles and observe resulting relationships
between the angles within this quadrilateral. It will also allow us
to explore inscribed angles and chords. GeoGebra’s 3D
Calculator will help us visualize 3D objects and learn about how
we can generate these from 2D objects. Sometimes I will
project GeoGebra to demonstrate a geometric construction,
and other times students will be instructed to access the app
version of this website on their iPads to work on constructions
together.

The Benefit of Technology Use in Math Geometry: Theorems about Circles

The use of technology in mathematics enables
student-centered learning and continuous
assessment, as highlighted by the features of
Nearpod, as well as mathematical construction,
visualization, and discovery, as highlighted by the
incorporation of GeoGebra in our classroom this
year. Technology aids in my ability to empower and
engage your students as budding mathematicians
and more easily differentiate instruction to support
all learners.

Questions or concerns?
Reach out to Mrs. Ward:
wardkw@bc.edu
Geometry: Visualizing Relationships between 2D and 3D Objects
703-473-1696
Newton South HS, Room 119