You have just seen one application of connections in the classroom: students making use of mathematical connections and connections beyond mathematics. Now reflect on the following questions and answer one in light of the students and content you teach:

• The problem explored in this section had connections to earlier and future learning and to phenomena outside the mathematics classroom. Think of another problem with similar connections that you might use in your classroom. What are its connections?
• The students in the video worked on a lab activity where they gathered data in order to develop an equation for a graph, rather than working with the equation first. What are the benefits of asking students to work in this way, that is, to make a connection from real phenomena to an exploration of mathematical representations of the phenomena? Does starting with real data pose additional teaching challenges?
• Select a topic from your mathematics curriculum. How could you connect this topic to other subjects and generally teach it in a connections-rich way and at a level appropriate for your students?
• What can you do in your classroom to help students develop the habit of searching for and discussing connections between mathematical concepts? Be specific.

• Use pen and paper.
• Use a word processor.
• Use the form below.

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Thanks for writing in your journal. Please keep your entries in whatever format you choose -- you will find them useful for reference later.

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