Math
Destinations: Kindle the Fire
"A mind
is a fire to be kindled, not a vessel to be filled." -- Plutarch
Mathematics is
the study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of
quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. It is also dazzling,
magical, perplexing, challenging, cool, awesome, and fun. When
teaching the more abstract concepts, research has shown that these
become more concrete when they are modeled onscreen and guided
by teachers.
Many of the sites below feature interactive problem-solving lessons
and activities. Find a lesson that fits into your math curriculum,
encourage students to think and ask questions while solving the problem.
Then, watch the fire ignite!
AAA
Math
The site deals
with K-8 math and contains over 200 pages of lessons. Each lesson
features interactive practice, challenge games and an explanation
of the topic.
Aunty
Math
Math challenges
for kids. This site is sponsored by the DuPage Children's museum
and geared to children K-5.
BINGO
Card Generator
A slick tool
for creating BINGO games. Select from either 3x3 or 5x5 cards,
insert words or math problems, and click on a button. The cards
are ready for printing. You can also shuffle the items.
Coolmath4kids
Elementary students
will love the Lemonade Stand. It is great way to introduce variables
and business economics. The Tower of Hanoi is a game of skill and
logic where rings must be moved from one pole to another in the
proper order by size. Dozens of other thinking games will keep
students occupied for hours.
Count
On
Count On is an
awesome site that features games, puzzles, mysteries, and competitions
for all ages. In the game, Dino Dig, students learn how to plot
the x and y axis while looking for dinosaur bones. In Math Mysteries,
students can help Dottie Double, fix the computer and tally votes
at the Pop Awards. For teachers, there is a database of problems
to search and use in the classroom.
Figure
This
Does it make
a difference where you shop? How could I send the check and not
pay the bill? Involve families in learning math by sending students
home with challenging problems. In these two examples students
interpret graphs, compare prices, and examine probability. Students
can move on to more difficult problems, which help them to think
about other possibilities. There are more than 75 challenges available
that are indexed by the title of the challenge and math category.
Figure This is a joint project of the National Council of Teachers
of Mathematics, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering,
and Widmeyer Communications, with support from the National Science
Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Fun
Math Lessons by Cynthia Lanius
Loads of lessons
can be explored at this super site. Lanius has designed practical,
fun ways to teach math in the classroom. For instance, the unit
on fractals begins with why study fractals? Then, continues with
making fractals and culminates with answering a series of questions
based on the experience. The Jurassic Park fractal is really cool
to make. Some of the other lessons are Stressed Out: Slope as Rate
of Change, Mathematics of Cartography, Rectangle Pattern Challenge,
and Million Dollar Mission.
FunBrain
Fun Brain is
one of the most popular sites for elementary teachers and students.
There are games, quizzes, and standard guides. Some of the games
include Change Maker, Fresh Baked Fractions, and Guess the Number.
GoENC
To save you time,
ENC offers math and science educators access to information about
more than 27,000 print and multi-media curriculum resources and
professional development materials. Web-based resources are only
available to paid subscribers.
Illuminations
(National Council of Teachers of Mathematics)
Illuminations
promotes engaged learning and problem solving with hundreds of
lessons and activities for teaching the math standards. It is organized
by grade level and content area. Not to be missed are the iMath
investigations built around interactive math applets and video
clips. Some examples include Creating, Describing, and Analyzing
Patterns to Recognize Relationships and Make Predictions (Grades
Pre-K-2); Representing, and Interpreting Data Using Spreadsheets
and Graphing Software (Grades 3-5); Simulating Probability Situations
Using Box Models (Grades 6-8); and Understanding Ratios of Areas
of Inscribed Figures Using Interactive Diagrams (Grades 9-12).
In addition, this site can serve as a model for creating effective
standards-based math lessons.
Interactive
Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles
Stretch student
minds with a variety of math puzzlers. Using Java applets, Interactive
Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles puts theory into practice. All
sorts of mathematical questions are explored beginning with a hypothesis
or premise followed by an actual problem or model to solve. Readers
are invited to email alternate solutions and join in the CTK Exchange
where answers may be posted and questions raised. Use this site
as a resource for the problem of the day or challenge of the week.
Choose from a multitude of stimulating activities. Impress your
friends with math magic and do not forget to check the eye opener
series. This site encourages problem solving of unusual and interesting
problems.
Math is Fun
Math concepts are presented with colorful illustrations in an easy to understand fashion. They are followed with several types of activities from folding geometric shapes to interactive practice games and worksheets. Topics include algebra, numbers, puzzles, geometry, calculus, data, money, measurement, and physics. In addition, there is a teachers page with lots of suggestions to inspire learners. This site has received great reviews from teachers so be sure and visit Math is Fun.
Math
Forum
Browse or search
this gold mine of math Web page links maintained by Drexel University.
Click on Math Resources by Subject for a variety of curriculum
treasures. Ask Dr. Math for help with sticky problems via e-mail
or scan the FAQ section for answers to common questions. The Math
Forum is home to projects that encourage students to use math problems,
including the Math Problems of the Week (subscription based). Solution
activities may include guess and check, make a list, draw a picture,
make a table, or act it out. Volunteer math mentors follow up student
submissions with personal correspondence.
Math
Patterns in Children's Literature
An annotated
list of picture books to use with teaching patterns in grades Pre-K-2.
A
Maths Dictionary for Kids by Jenny Eather
Jenny Eather,
an Australian primary teacher, needed a reference resource for
her students. In her quest to meet that need she learned Flash
and created a dictionary that is animated, interactive, and allows
students to practice. Click on billion and discover that you have
10 billion brain cells working for you right now. Roll your mouse
over the world time zone chart and you instantly know the time
for that part of the world. Over 500 terms are explained in simple
language. Every math teacher should bookmark this Website.
Mrs.
Glosser's Math Goodies
Math Goodies
is a free math help site featuring interactive lessons, homework
help, worksheets and forums! They have over 400 pages of activities
for students, teachers and parents.
Multiplication.com
This site contains
the techniques, tips, and secrets used by master teachers to teach
multiplication facts. Worksheets, quizzes, and games compliment
the instruction.
MultiplicationGames
Free multiplication games that include related standards.
National
Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Program a ladybug
to move through a maze, use base ten blocks to model grouping in
addition, illustrate a fraction by dividing a shape and highlighting
the appropriate parts, or investigate probabilities of sticking
with a decision, or switching. These are only a few of the many
computer- based manipulatives that have been created to help students
visualize mathematical relationships and applications. Number and
operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis, and
Probability are the topics covered. This site was funded by a grant
from the National Science Foundation.Only IE and Safari are able to use the java programs.
Pattern
Blocks
This program
is designed to familiarize students with different shapes, their
relations, and their properties. The program can also be used as
a tool to learn and practice fractions.
Project
Interactive
Sort colored
shapes into a Venn Diagram. Practice estimation skills by determining
the number of objects, length, or area. Encode and decode messages.
Work with spinners, graphs, and all sorts of interactive gadgets
while learning math concepts. Teachers will appreciate the scripted
lessons to follow when using the activities and discussions. Each
lesson gives prerequisites, preparation instructions, a suggested
outline, and alternate outlines.
ticalc.org
A page devoted
to programs for Texas Instruments calculators is ticalc.org. News and
frequently asked questions are a few of the many items available. |