The Cell Hotel – A Cell Phone Management System that Actually Works

Math by the Mountain2 Comments

You know that moment when a guest teacher actually takes the time to leave a compliment in the sub notes? It’s the dream. This year, all four of my guest teachers have specifically called out how smooth and easy attendance was in my room, and it’s all thanks to the cell hotel system.

Yep. My cell phone routine doubles as my attendance system, and it’s been an absolute game-changer. Here’s exactly how I make it work, and why I’ll be sticking with it.

What Is a Cell Hotel?

If you’re unfamiliar, a “cell hotel” is basically one of those hanging pocket charts (think shoe organizer) that students place their phones in at the start of class. Each student has a numbered pocket (matched to their seat number), and it becomes part of our daily entry routine.

It’s not a brand-new idea, but the way I use it for both phone management and attendance might be new to you.

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📵 That Buzz Isn’t Just Annoying—It’s Derailing Learning

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You’re mid-lesson, the class is focused, and then—you see it. A student subtly shifts, hand to pocket. Their phone just buzzed.

They don’t even take it out. No screen, no scrolling.

But the damage is already done.

Research shows that just feeling a phone vibrate can knock a student off task for up to 5 minutes. Not because they checked it, but because their brain did—automatically.

That tiny buzz triggers a cognitive shift. Their mind starts to wonder: Who texted me? Is it urgent? Should I check?
Even if they resist, their focus is gone, and it takes time—and effort—to get it back.

Studies on the impact of phones in classrooms reveal something every teacher has seen: tech distractions don’t need screens to sabotage attention. The anticipation alone burns mental fuel.

Over time, the problem compounds. Students conditioned by constant notifications develop twitchy attention spans. They struggle to stay present even when they aren’t actively on their device.

So what can we do?
Create clear, consistent phone policies. Talk to students about why focus matters. Be transparent with students about the reasons behind those policies to develop buy-in.

Because that little buzz?
It’s louder than it sounds.

Want to read about my classroom phone policy? The Cell Hotel – A Cell Phone Management System that Actually Works

AP Statistics Exam Review – Inference Calculator Functions Stations Activity (AP Stats Exam Prep Activity)

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Leading up to the AP Exam, the number one thing I hear from my students is that they want more calculator review practice.

And, you know what? That makes a lot of sense. Knowing how to efficiently use the TI-84 calculator‘s built-in inference functions can save them a lot of valuable time during the AP Exam, in both the multiple-choice and free response sections.

Unfortunately, those features only save time if students remember the correct function to use (7: ZInterval vs A: 1-PropZInt is a common confusion-causing offender) AND where to find that function.

While so many incredible review activities for preparing for the AP Exam already exist, I couldn’t find exactly what my students wanted for calculator review, so I created this high-impact stations activity!

  • Each station includes a scenario that either asks the student to construct and interpret a confidence interval or to perform a significance test to assess a claim.
  • Every station includes the stipulation that they can assume all conditions for inference have been met, that way students can just focus on quickly and efficiently using their calculator to get an answer.

In addition, there is a cheat sheet with all of the calculator functions listed out for each procedure type, along with tips about how to use the functions or what additional information to include in addition to their calculator output (like degrees of freedom).

One of my favorite features about the calculator functions cheat sheet is that it is very transparent about when using the calculator functions is actually NOT the most time-efficient approach (like when performing inference calculations for slope, since computer output will be given).

There are 15 stations, covering:

Finding a confidence interval for…

  • a single proportion
  • a difference in proportions
  • a single mean
  • a difference in means
  • a mean difference
  • slope

Performing significance tests for…

  • a single proportion
  • a difference in proportions
  • a single mean
  • a difference in means
  • a mean difference
  • Chi-square GOF
  • Chi-Square test for homogeneity
  • Chi-square test for independence
  • slope

“This is a must-do exam prep activity for my students!“

Free Mini-Version!

Try before you buy! This free sample includes 4 of the 15 stations.

Free Sample:
Includes 4 stations covering inference for:
✅ Proportions
❌ Means
❌ Chi-Square
❌ Slope

vs.

Paid Activity:
Includes 15 stations covering inference for:
✅ Proportions
✅ Means
✅ Chi-Square
✅ Slope

Click here to get the FULL ACTIVITY with all 15 stations.

Happy reviewing with your students!

Unit 4 Planning Guide: Teaching Functions, Relations, & Domain and Range in Algebra 1

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Being asked to identify the domain and range of a function can often make even older and more experienced Algebra students fumble, but we’re in luck! We were so intentional in choosing the content that was included in our first three units of the year, that this unit will come together with a little smattering of everything that came before.

The functions, relations, domain & range unit will feel like the natural next step continuing off what your students have already learned, allowing for a fumble-free, stress-free unit.

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Unit 3 Planning Guide: Teaching Solving Multi-Step Inequalities in Algebra 1

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Solving inequalities is a skill in Algebra 1 that is useful on its own, but it is much more powerful as a connecting unit. The solving multi-step inequalities unit both serves to re-emphasize everything that was learned throughout the solving multi-step equations unit and also sets students up to be successful and stress-free when learning how to identify the domain and range of functions in subsequent units.

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Unit 2 Planning Guide: Teaching Solving Multi-Step Equations in Algebra 1

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Solving equations is an essential Algebra 1 skill that comes back in so many ways throughout the year, from rearranging equations to slope-intercept form before graphing a line, to solving systems of equations and even solving quadratic equations.

Solving multi-step equations is at the heart of what we ask Algebra 1 students to do – it is certainly a Top 5 unit if we were ranking them all by importance.

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5 Must-Do’s for Managing Glue & Interactive Notebooks

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As the old saying goes, “If you fail to plan (your interactive notebook gluing routines), you are planning to fail.”

More than any other point of frustration I hear from teachers when implementing interactive notebooks is how to deal with all of the glue. While glue may seem like an insignificant part of switching to interactive notebooks, it can really end up being a growing daily thorn if your classroom’s glue management hasn’t been given some intentional prior thought. 

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Everything You Need to Know: Using Interactive Notebooks with AVID

Math by the Mountain3 Comments

So you just found out you are working at an AVID school and are trying to figure out how to incorporate all the things into your lessons.

Lucky for you, interactive notebooks (INBs) or interactive student notebooks (ISNs) and AVID are a perfect match — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t overwhelming learning how to get started.
PS: There’s no difference between INBs and ISNs, it’s more of a tomayto/tomahto situation.

If you’re new to AVID, here’s a quick rundown:

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5 First Day or Week of School Activities for Secondary Math

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Planning for the first day and first week of school can be incredibly stressful because it sets the tone for the entire year. No pressure, right? 

Students are also getting non-stop information about rules, expectations, classroom procedures, and syllabi, so throwing something in to break that up is a must. 

5 first day of school activities for secondary math classrooms

Here are 5 of my favorite activities for the first week of school, that I have used with my Algebra 1 classes over the years but are perfect for any middle school math classroom:

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