 Bill Lombard | Mr. L (Bill Lombard) is a high school math teacher at Foothill High School in Palo Cedro, CA (just east of Redding, about 165 miles north of Sacramento).
He has assisted his co-author, Brad Fulton, in writing more than a dozen books for math teachers as well as over twenty Teacher Resource Manuals for teacher training seminars. Brad and Bill host a companion website, Teacher to Teacher Press. On this site you may find more materials to help math teachers. Known throughout the country for motivating and engaging teachers and students, Brad and Bill create activities that help teachers who believe mathematics must be both meaningful and powerful. |
Bill’s goal is to make mathematics both understandable and meaningful for his students, and on this website he shares some of his materials, lessons, and other information to help both teachers and students to be successful in the math classroom.
Seminar leader and trainer of mathematics teachers
- California Math Council and NCTM presenter
- Lead trainer for summer teacher training institutes
- Trainer/consultant for district, county, regional, and national workshops
Co-author of mathematics curriculum
- Simply Great Math Activities series: five books covering all major strands
- Math Discoveries series: four books bringing math alive for students in middle schools
- Teacher Training Resource Handbooks for elementary, middle, and secondary teachers
Workshops, conference sessions, and keynote addresses
All workshops provide participants with complete and ready-to-use activities. These activities require minimal preparation, use materials commonly found in classrooms, and give clear and specific directions and format. Participants will also receive journal prompts, homework suggestions, and ideas for extensions and assessment.
- “Excellent…relevant…useful…practical…engaging.”
- - Tizoc Tirado, kindergarten teacher
Do you have a conference or staff development activity coming up? Find out why you should book me to speak by 
Mr. L –
I have been out of the HS classroom for a few years now (currently at Duke Marine Lab), and just started sporadic blogging late in 2008. The random point of interest here –> I am also known as “Mr. L” to younger students [teens]. So, from Mr. L (east coast) to Mr. L (west coast) — Happy New Year! I look forward to reading more of your work and gladly defer the official Mr. L moniker to you !
I just stumbled upon your blog and wish to say — “keep up the great work”
Peace,
Ed
Hello Mr. L,
I am a first grade teacher in Massachusetts. Which of your books are appropriate for K-2 teachers?
Thank you.
Tim
Hi Tim,
Many primary teachers use our books with their students. The two most popular are Number Sense and The Language of Math. Number Sense can be used to develop skills in calculating, but more importantly, inquiring minds. The Language of math is a universal book since it allows the teacher to see how to incorporate language into the classroom in a simple, easily managed way. By using these two books over a period of time you will find yourself becoming a more inventive, creative teacher. Best wishes,
-Mr. L
Mr. L,
I saw your student’s work in your picasa gallery.
http://picasaweb.google.com/bill.lombard/ParabolaProjects#5306875031915769554
Did you have them use geogebra for the entire project? Or did you have them use another piece of software for the labeling and layout.
Is there an easier to use graphing program for middle school that you would recommend?
Thanks for any help, and the very inspiring student work!
Hi Colin,
My students use GeoGebra for the graphing part of their projects and do as much as possible with the layout while still in GeoGebra; setting the font size, colors, etc. They then export the graph to the clipboard and paste it into MS Word. The final text writing and layout are done in MS Word. I’ve looked for years for a quality graphing program, and GeoGebra is the best choice I’ve found. I also like it since it’s possible to do quite a bit of geometry with it as well. Good luck with your students!
- Mr. L
Hello Mr. L,
I want to make next year, engaging, meaningful and fun for my students. I want them to say they LOVE math, but I am so new to teaching math I need direction.
I just wrapped up my first year as a middle school teacher (6th gr)! What a challenge.
Being new to your site, what books/activities do you recommend for hands on, fun math learning. My goal is to keep students engaged and realize math affects every part of the lives!
Thank you,
Liz
Hi Liz,
I’d suggest that you take a look at my other website, http://www.tttpress.com and visit the STORE.
There are also a lot of free activities on that site.
Best wishes,
Bill
Hello Mr. L,
I have a question about note taking. I teach 6 and 7th grade math. We currently use a spiral notebook to keep what I call (VIP’s) very important pictures of the math concepts we are studying. However, getting students to bring their journals, take legible notes, keep notes organized for later retrieval, and then utilize them has been a real challenge. Do you have a system that you wouldn’t mind sharing. If not maybe we have another book idea! I have them all and a few of your videos. You and Brad are my go to guys when it comes to supplementing the textbook. Your books are worth their weight in gold and are always my students favorite activities.
PS: I used your idea of tools of the trade for storing and retrieving students calculators, compasses, calculators, scissors, and rulers. It works like a charm and we haven’t lost even a pair of scissors! Thanks for the great ideas!