Archive for the ‘worksheets’ Category

7c. Crack a Security Code for Middle School………… Yes! Really!

August 27, 2017

NB: This post has been updated twice. Disraeli said that if you want to become acquainted with a subject, write about it!!!! Mathspig’s head nearly exploded writing about this subject. But I’ve got it down to its simplest form now. One that Mathspig finally understands.

The Complaint: Maths is really SCARY!…………….

………………………………………………………………………….

The Cause:

Some students think maths is always right or wrong and they are scared of making mistakes.

………………………………………………………………………….

The Solution:

Tackle problems that can’t be solved even by a computer. Students can only guess the answer and then test it. Anyone can make a guess. Work in groups. Every member of the group can contribute as students explore this maths.

………………………………………………………………………….

The Challenge:……………………………………………………….

Can you crack a security encryption code?….…………………………………………………..

……………………..…………………….……………………………………………………………

Topics:

Prime Numbers, Really BIG numbers……………………..

…………………………………………………………………………

Prime Numbers Hide Your Secrets: SLATE

Remember the best online calculator is the WEB 2.0 Calc. NOTE: This is a secure website and you can check on its KEYCHAIN too.

You will find a fantastic list of Prime Numbers here.

Crack a Security Code WORKSHEET & ANS

Mathspig thanks Prof Kate Smith-Miles, Prof of Applied Maths, Monash University for the information about Keychains. Kate has used KEYCHAIN exercises with primary school students. They really enjoyed going home and showing their parents how to find a Keychain on the computer.

Posted in 10 Reasons Why Maths Teachers Rock!, Middle School, Prime numbers, worksheets, Year 7 mathspig, Year 9 Mathspig | Tagged algorithm, back to school, Busted, challenge, code, crack, hackers, hate, keychain, Math, Middle school, Numbers, Prime, project, vs | 1 Comment »

Mathspig does WORKSHEETS

September 25, 2015

Helloooo my lovely wombats,

I started this blog several years ago because I found myself trying to convince teachers that maths could be fun, FUN, FUN at conferences. Sometimes it was like talking to a carton of eggs. So I had to show teachers that maths could be fun. With over 900,000 hits, you could say, my evil plan worked. After several years of blogging, I had an epiphany. Having studied maths at university for 5 years, then teaching maths for 10 years up to and including Year 12, suddenly, I realised I never wanted to know the answer to any maths problem I solved. I simply wanted to get the answer right and move on.

I taught in some tough high schools. On my first day at one high school a student threw a bike off a roof. Now I understand their rage. I loved maths from day 1, but only a small % of students love maths for the challenge. It’s like Latin, a dead language, to many students and therefore ‘booooring’.

So now I concentrate on the TOUGH YEARS: Middle School. Students want to know the answer to the questions I ask. eg. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE A 14 YO TO BLEED TO DEATH? It’s a great graph. They want to know the answer! I aim to make the maths REAL, RELEVANT and FUN. Maths teachers don’t have time to be creative. So now I’m expanding my empire by creating the WORKSHEETS that I would have wanted for my challenging classes. My friend here, Roni, who is an unidentified marsupial and a little dodgy, will guide you through the worksheets.

I’m following the Common Core Standards for the USA. Hey! I’v done the math!

So here are the worksheets that motivate students, even difficult students, to DO THE MATH or MATHS. The first one is free and then there’s a small fee and me and Roni are going to clear outa town with all the loot. Ha!