This list of Math apps can help to keep the math skills sharpened during the Summer. Don't let them go down the drain or be filtered out with the pool water! I use Slate Math in the classroom and my 2nd graders loved it! Check out the list: TEN MATH APPS from Teacherswithapps.com
|D|
Showing posts with label MATH. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MATH. Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Counting Down or Counting Out?
There are less than 30 school days remaining in our 2013-14 school year. We are half-way through the last nine week reporting period. High stakes testing will begin in just over a week. What is happening to our learners? To our educators?
As the weather has improved and the days have become longer it seems there is a correlation to the memories getting shorter and the focus getting more and more cloudy. As teachers there is a tendency to push and push, shoving more and more facts, figures, learning into an already saturated and sometimes exhausted mind of a young learner. As I was talking to an educator (not at my school, thankfully), she stated that she was "counting down the days." Then she smiled and gave me that "I-can't-wait-until-Summer-break" facial look. Had she given up? Was she counting out her students? Had she thrown in the towel?
In preparation for our state's annual standardize testing, I am tutoring a group of seven third graders in math. They weren't ready for what we did. Using techniques from Dave Burgess's Teach Like A Pirate (@burgessdave #TLAP) along with ideas from Richard Byrne's websites iPadsApps4School.com and FreeTech4Teachers.com these third graders began to experience math in an entirely different way.
The first day my seven learners (all third grade girls) were waiting at the assigned point in the school with the other learners that were participating for nine hours of interventions over three weeks in preparation for the standardized tests.
They knew who I was. Evidently I have a reputation. (Thanks, PIRATE DAVE!) I announced in my strong teacher voice, "Mr Don's Math Scholars! Please, form a triangle."
Quickly they struggled to awaken from their after school coma as they tried to comprehend. "What? Form a triangle? Huh?" One girl even stated, "Mr. Don, I'm not a math scholar, sir. I'm not really that good at math." To which I looked at her and whispering, corrected her, "I'm not good at math, YET!"
Breaking into a typical drill sergeant cadence. We marched from the meeting spot (as a triangle) to my room chanting,
As we marched down the hallway I ask questions about triangles, vertices, obtuse, acute, etc. They were answering quietly. I smiled and said, "I can't hear you!" Then I smiled and at that they realized this was not going to be a typical math session.
We chanted down the hallway, now we were looking for triangles and identifying the types of triangles we could find all around us. We then continued the learning inside the room with activities, tech tools (iPads, Elmo, Projection systems) not by themselves, but as teams, as collaborators. We did this until we returned an hour later with a new chant exiting back to where parents were waiting to pick up their young mathematicians. No pencils. No paper. Math skills being enhanced by using our brains, powers of observation and using the tools we carry with us every day (yes, some had to user their fingers, but that's is a good purpose for them!)
We are now half-way through the intervention time. We continue to form geometric shapes as we cadence to the room. Yet, now, they are leading the cadence, calling out the geometric forms, identifying lengths/widths, and giving me formulas for finding area, circumferences, putting fractions into ascending and descending order all as we constantly move for the entire hour. No sitting (if at all possible) and continuously checking in with each other for understanding. We are noisy. We are learning. We are having fun, too!
The benefit to me has been enormous. I am just as rejuvenated at the end of the session as they are. We are making the time count not just counting the time.
We realize we have testing strategies as well as math skills to work on improving.
How do I know that learners should not be counted out as we approach the end of the school year? That young mathematician who "wasn't very good at math" celebrated yesterday with her team as she was able to solve a complex logic problem. Everyone in the room could hear her brain "click" and then see the light turn on as she "got it!" We all celebrated.
Let's keep counting down for events and stop counting out. Let's keep providing that hope of "Yet!" and not leaving learners in the ring thinking that they have been counted out and their match was lost, returning to their corner without hope.
"Yes, I know and I believe, all learners are extraordinary!" (Their favorite chant as we end!)
|D|
As the weather has improved and the days have become longer it seems there is a correlation to the memories getting shorter and the focus getting more and more cloudy. As teachers there is a tendency to push and push, shoving more and more facts, figures, learning into an already saturated and sometimes exhausted mind of a young learner. As I was talking to an educator (not at my school, thankfully), she stated that she was "counting down the days." Then she smiled and gave me that "I-can't-wait-until-Summer-break" facial look. Had she given up? Was she counting out her students? Had she thrown in the towel?
In preparation for our state's annual standardize testing, I am tutoring a group of seven third graders in math. They weren't ready for what we did. Using techniques from Dave Burgess's Teach Like A Pirate (@burgessdave #TLAP) along with ideas from Richard Byrne's websites iPadsApps4School.com and FreeTech4Teachers.com these third graders began to experience math in an entirely different way.
The first day my seven learners (all third grade girls) were waiting at the assigned point in the school with the other learners that were participating for nine hours of interventions over three weeks in preparation for the standardized tests.
They knew who I was. Evidently I have a reputation. (Thanks, PIRATE DAVE!) I announced in my strong teacher voice, "Mr Don's Math Scholars! Please, form a triangle."
Quickly they struggled to awaken from their after school coma as they tried to comprehend. "What? Form a triangle? Huh?" One girl even stated, "Mr. Don, I'm not a math scholar, sir. I'm not really that good at math." To which I looked at her and whispering, corrected her, "I'm not good at math, YET!"
Breaking into a typical drill sergeant cadence. We marched from the meeting spot (as a triangle) to my room chanting,
"I may not know, but I believe,
mathematics is for me!
We will study, we will learn,
not just facts but skills we earn.
Math is everywhere we see
I can do it, You will see
Math is great and math's for me!"
We chanted down the hallway, now we were looking for triangles and identifying the types of triangles we could find all around us. We then continued the learning inside the room with activities, tech tools (iPads, Elmo, Projection systems) not by themselves, but as teams, as collaborators. We did this until we returned an hour later with a new chant exiting back to where parents were waiting to pick up their young mathematicians. No pencils. No paper. Math skills being enhanced by using our brains, powers of observation and using the tools we carry with us every day (yes, some had to user their fingers, but that's is a good purpose for them!)
We are now half-way through the intervention time. We continue to form geometric shapes as we cadence to the room. Yet, now, they are leading the cadence, calling out the geometric forms, identifying lengths/widths, and giving me formulas for finding area, circumferences, putting fractions into ascending and descending order all as we constantly move for the entire hour. No sitting (if at all possible) and continuously checking in with each other for understanding. We are noisy. We are learning. We are having fun, too!
The benefit to me has been enormous. I am just as rejuvenated at the end of the session as they are. We are making the time count not just counting the time.
We realize we have testing strategies as well as math skills to work on improving.
How do I know that learners should not be counted out as we approach the end of the school year? That young mathematician who "wasn't very good at math" celebrated yesterday with her team as she was able to solve a complex logic problem. Everyone in the room could hear her brain "click" and then see the light turn on as she "got it!" We all celebrated.
Let's keep counting down for events and stop counting out. Let's keep providing that hope of "Yet!" and not leaving learners in the ring thinking that they have been counted out and their match was lost, returning to their corner without hope.
"Yes, I know and I believe, all learners are extraordinary!" (Their favorite chant as we end!)
|D|
Saturday, March 15, 2014
My 5 New Math Sites!
Here are Math Sites I've heard about, stumbled across, and been using in my class. I wanted to post a selection here for my parents and others that are wishing to allow students to get some interventions while on Spring Break!!
1. A+ Click
A+ Click helps students become problem solvers. No fees, no ads, no calculators, and no sign in. The website features a graduated set of over 4000 challenging problems.The questions are based on the Common Core Standards in Math and go beyond with emphasis on thinking and not just wrote number sentences.
2. IXL Math (http://www.ixl.com/math/) is a subscriber fee based math site (plus other curricula) and to me is worth the fee. It offers standards based material and makes math fun and not boring (how many number sentences can a student really do to show mastery?)
3. http://www.alline.org/euro/emath.html A set of Mathematics Resources for Elementary students. The sites are interactive and provide engaging learning experiences. I use this for interventions and supplemental work outside of the classroom.
4. Cool Math 4 Kids (http://www.coolmath4kids.com/) Visually stimulating, engaging sites, and great intuitive lessons. That's just for the kids. Parents there is also a link for you that will help guide through the maze of helping with math homework, getting ready for kindergarten, and a set of resources. This is one of my favorites for the parent guides as well as the student interactivity.
5. Kids Numbers (http://www.kidsnumbers.com/) A collection of games, worksheets, and interactivity to assist the early learner in having fun with math.
~~~~~~~~
If you have your favorite FREE math website please post in the comments. Parents and teachers are always looking for ways to help students get a positive learning experience in math that will last a life time!
|D|
1. A+ Click
A+ Click helps students become problem solvers. No fees, no ads, no calculators, and no sign in. The website features a graduated set of over 4000 challenging problems.The questions are based on the Common Core Standards in Math and go beyond with emphasis on thinking and not just wrote number sentences.
2. IXL Math (http://www.ixl.com/math/) is a subscriber fee based math site (plus other curricula) and to me is worth the fee. It offers standards based material and makes math fun and not boring (how many number sentences can a student really do to show mastery?)
3. http://www.alline.org/euro/emath.html A set of Mathematics Resources for Elementary students. The sites are interactive and provide engaging learning experiences. I use this for interventions and supplemental work outside of the classroom.
4. Cool Math 4 Kids (http://www.coolmath4kids.com/) Visually stimulating, engaging sites, and great intuitive lessons. That's just for the kids. Parents there is also a link for you that will help guide through the maze of helping with math homework, getting ready for kindergarten, and a set of resources. This is one of my favorites for the parent guides as well as the student interactivity.
5. Kids Numbers (http://www.kidsnumbers.com/) A collection of games, worksheets, and interactivity to assist the early learner in having fun with math.
~~~~~~~~
If you have your favorite FREE math website please post in the comments. Parents and teachers are always looking for ways to help students get a positive learning experience in math that will last a life time!
|D|
Saturday, December 7, 2013
12 Educational and Productive Websites
12 Educational and Productive Websites (for use in the classroom or at home)
1. www.popplet.com A classroom version
of Pinterest®
2. www.pics4learning.com A site of royalty free and non-copyrighted
photos for use in presentations by teachers and students.
3. www.betterlesson.com A collection of lesson plans by grade level,
by technology device which all follow the Common Core Standards.
4. www.socrative.com Socrative
is a smart student response system that empowers teachers to engage their
classrooms through a series of educational exercises and games via smartphones,
laptops, and tablets.
5. www.ClassDojo.com A
personal favorite for attendance and behavior. The site produces great
reporting as well as parental logins and views.
6. www.joine.me A
method of sharing what is on the laptops in the classroom.
7. www.symbaloo.com A
listing of the iPad and iPhone apps that are available for educators and
parents arranged by subject and importance.
8. www.teded.com TED
is a great set of curated videos and the TEDed set are just for educators. Especially
helpful if you need inspiration, professional improvement or development in a
certain area as well as a great site for watching how others do things in their
classrooms.
9. www.evernote.com This
site is still free (with Login) and is a great cloud location to place notes
from meetings, notes from research as well as to place pictures, graphs, etc.
for use by the students as they conduct their research. Evernote® is available
on your laptop, computer and iPad, iPhone and Android app for continuous access
and updating.
10. www.mathplayground.com A math site by grade level. Includes math games, logic puzzles and word
problems.
11. www.Math-play.com This site hosts multiplication table matching
games along with a great collection of other math games including money,
fractions, decimals and geometry games.
A great site for parents to help students at home.
12. www.ixl.com IXL Math is a subscription
based site, but it is free for a few times each day. This is a great site by
grade level and offers several methods of solving math, math sentences, problem
solving, etc. A great site for students to do at home.
iPad Apps (from the App Store)
Multipliation+ The
Apps Gate Inc (Free) This helps with
learning multiplication tables.
Math-Multiplication table This
is another free ap from Online Science
classroom
available at the AppStore for iPads and iPhones.
Prezi A
great presentation application which is similar to in functionality to power
point, but has an easier user interface.
Slideshare (Free) another great presentation alternative to power
point.
Thanks to my friends from the
Middle Tennessee Education Technology Association – Instructional Technology
Academy for sharing some of these ideas, apps and websites.
|D|
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Animated Math Learning from FreeTech4Teachers!
Math is so important in our world. We must not only teach the equation solving, but the understanding of why the equation is solved and the fact it can be resolved in more than just one way to reach the correct answer, but our students must learn to use the math concepts in more than just one setting and in real world settings. Math Live does just that.
Free Technology for Teachers listed a great animated website on their site called: Math Live. I've been using it with my students and not only is it entertaining and holds their attention, it is diversity correct. Check out Math Live and also look at the other great ideas from Free Technology for Teachers!!
|D|
Free Technology for Teachers listed a great animated website on their site called: Math Live. I've been using it with my students and not only is it entertaining and holds their attention, it is diversity correct. Check out Math Live and also look at the other great ideas from Free Technology for Teachers!!
|D|
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Math Solutions has a great set of videos called "Explain It To Me" for the "big idea" of the eight practices in the Standards for Mathematical Practices posted ont he Math Solutions site. Really helpful for me and my students. Check them out!
Explain It To Me Videos from Math Solutions
|D|Sunday, December 30, 2012
Interactive Resource for Math Standards
This is a great resource for understanding math education in the implementation of Common Core Math Standards.
PARCC Prototype!
Mathematics Core Tool Box for Common Core Standards has a resource for a set of PARCC multipart prototype tasks which represents the initial
release from a larger set of prototype tasks developed as part of a
collaborative project between PARCC and the Charles A. Dana Center at The
University of Texas at Austin, the University of Arizona, the City University
of New York, Agile Mind, Inc., and a select group of experts.
Click on the link: http://www.ccsstoolbox.com/ then select the drop down “Resources for
Implementation,” then on the sidebar click on “PARCC Prototyping Project.” This site offers samples for elementary, middle and high schools.
Thanks to my district for sending out this link to the resources from CCSS Tool Box.
|D|
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Math, Math, Math!
Math is sometimes difficult to learn as well as teach. These resources were sent to us by my school district.
I wanted to share them (plus remember where they are when I need them again!).
They are all excellent resources for the various grade levels and contain interactive games, pdf lessons, and other media types.
Zillions of lessons- includes Math as well as other subjects. Can be filtered by grade level.
Lessons:
Kindergarten: K.G.1,2,3-
In this unit, students are introduced to the idea of shapes through a read-aloud session with an appropriate book.
They then use models to learn the names of shapes, work together and individually to locate shapes in their real-world environment.
1st Grade: 1.OA.7,8-This lesson encourages students to explore another model of subtraction, the balance. Students will use real and virtual balances.
Students also explore recording the modeled subtraction facts in equation form.
2nd Grade: 2.MD.7- In this unit, students explore the relationship between pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. They count sets of mixed coins, write story problems that involve money, and use coins to make patterns.
3rd Grade: 3.NF- or 3.NF additional In this unit, students explore relationships among fractions through work with the length model. This early work with fraction relationships helps students make sense of basic fraction concepts and facilitates work with comparing and ordering fractions and working with equivalency.
4th Grade: Performance Task 4.NF.1-
Leapfrog Fractions
5th Grade: 5.MD.1 Students learn the basics of the metric system. They identify which units of measurement are used to measure specific objects, and they learn to convert between units within the same system.
6th Grade:6.EE.1-4 Online game- Late Delivery
7th Grade: 7.RP.1,3- Online Proportions Lesson
8th Grade: Impact of a SuperStarThis lesson uses technology tools to plot data, identify lines of best fit, and detect outliers. Then, students compare the lines of best fit when one element is removed from a data set, and interpret the results.
Online Games by grade levels from MathChimp
|D|
FLIPBOOKS!
These resources were provided by my district and I wanted to post them to the blog to help me remember where I put them and to share them with others. The are great resources for teachers, home schooling, and for parents looking for ideas on teaching Math.
FLIPBOOKS
The Common Core “FlipBooks” are a compilation of research, “unpacked” standards from many states, instructional strategies and examples for each standard at each grade level. The intent is to show the connections to the Standards of Mathematical Practices for the content standards and to get detailed information at each level.
Resources used: Common Core State Standards, NCTM’s Focus In Grades K-8 series, Student Centered Mathematics by J. VandeWalle, Arizona, Ohio and North Carolina department of education “unpacking” of the standards. This “Flip Book” is intended to help teachers understand what each standard means in terms of what students must know and be able to do. It provides only a sample of instructional strategies and examples. The goal of every teacher should be to guide students in understanding & making sense of mathematics.
|D|
Unpacking & Understanding the Common Core Standards
This website is an excellent resource for grades K-6 unpacking the standards with understanding and implementing math skills.
The NC Department of Public instruction has created a set of documents for grade level called "Unpacking the Standards." One extremely helpful part of each document is the chart of Mathematical Practices that specifies how those standards look at that particular grade level. The Standards for Mathematical Practice can be found starting on page 3 of each document below:
- Unpacking the Math Common Core - Kindergarten
- Unpacking the Math Common Core - First Grade
- Unpacking the Math Common Core - Second Grade
- Unpacking the Math Common Core - Third Grade
- Unpacking the Math Common Core - Fourth Grade
- Unpacking the Math Common Core - Fifth Grade
- Unpacking the Math Common Core - Sixth Grade
http://mathwire.com/index.html Mathwire.com is another good resource for lots of games, activities, worksheets etc.
(Lots of great pumpkin activities etc.) http://mathwire.com/seasonal/
|D|
Friday, October 5, 2012
Six Great CCSS Math Websites...
Six Common Core Math Websites for Teachers, Students & Parents
1. Common Core Math Standards (pdf) Just in case you haven't seen them or read them yet. Important for every teacher and parent to understand the standards and their expectations.
Providing math problems in the various CCSS strands each month along with an archive to help with teaching students, student practice, parent understanding and learning.
3. Inside Mathematics' Listing of the Math Eight Standards:
Standard 2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively
Standard 3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
Standard 4: Model with mathematics
Standard 4: Model with mathematics
4. PARCC prototype sample questions With the PARCC around the corner it would be a great idea to help our students understand the question structure. Remember that we don't all structure language the same and we need to teach our students to find the key words in each word problem for proper resolution and to understand what the author is asking.
Navigation Tip--: Click on Resources for Implementation
----> Click on PARCC Prototyping Project
-----> Click on tasks by school level
-----> Click on tasks by school level
5. Illustrativemathematics.org provides drill down lessons by standard and grade level. Great resource for any level.
6. Illustrating the Standards for Mathematical Practice
From the great people at NCSSM-Leadership in Mathematics Education, this link provides ways to illustrate each of the math standards by grade level. Click on the hyper linked graphics to drill down into lessons and helpful resources.
From the great people at NCSSM-Leadership in Mathematics Education, this link provides ways to illustrate each of the math standards by grade level. Click on the hyper linked graphics to drill down into lessons and helpful resources.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
An Extensive Collection of Math Resources
Sometimes when you are looking at Tweets and following people on Facebook you stumble upon a website that you can put to use right away. One such site that I found today is http://www.k-5mathteachingresources.com/
This site provides an extensive collection of free resources, math games, and hands-on math activities aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
Their math printables are suitable for use in math centers, small group or whole class settings. Instructions for each activity are presented in large print on a task card in child-friendly language to enable students to work on tasks independently after a brief introduction to the task.
I found several for my exceptional education students whereby we can improve their numeracy skills, their counting, and general overall learning of math. Please check them out and leave a thank you in their comments section, too. After all one does like to see how far information can travel in the digital realm.
|D|
This site provides an extensive collection of free resources, math games, and hands-on math activities aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
Their math printables are suitable for use in math centers, small group or whole class settings. Instructions for each activity are presented in large print on a task card in child-friendly language to enable students to work on tasks independently after a brief introduction to the task.
I found several for my exceptional education students whereby we can improve their numeracy skills, their counting, and general overall learning of math. Please check them out and leave a thank you in their comments section, too. After all one does like to see how far information can travel in the digital realm.
|D|
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Common Core Resources for Math & ELA
Justin Tarte is a passionate educator with a love of learning and technology. He is the Director of Curriculum & Support Services in the Union R-XI School District in Union, Missouri.
He is someone that I follow on Twitter and his blog has great resources for teachers and administrators.
His recent posting on Common Core Resources for Math & ELA is a great place for teachers who are trying wrap their arms around the CCSS.
Be sure to check out and subscribe to his blog, as well as, read other postings by Dr. Tarte on Common Core standards. Don't miss the great posts on leadership either.
|D|
Be sure to check out and subscribe to his blog, as well as, read other postings by Dr. Tarte on Common Core standards. Don't miss the great posts on leadership either.
|D|
Friday, August 3, 2012
Bedtime Math is awesome!!
Wow! A great way to help our kids get better at math... check it out: www.bedtimemathproblem.org
Bedtime Math is the brainchild of Laura Bilodeau Overdeck. Laura has no professional training in teaching, but she does know something about numbers. As a kid she sat and memorized perfect squares for fun, back before it was cool. As a mom, she (along with her husband John) started giving math problems to their two older kids; when their 2-year-old started hollering for his own math problem, they knew they were onto something, and Bedtime Math was born.
This is a great way to help them with the new common core state standards of math in a deeper level.
|D|
Bedtime Math is the brainchild of Laura Bilodeau Overdeck. Laura has no professional training in teaching, but she does know something about numbers. As a kid she sat and memorized perfect squares for fun, back before it was cool. As a mom, she (along with her husband John) started giving math problems to their two older kids; when their 2-year-old started hollering for his own math problem, they knew they were onto something, and Bedtime Math was born.
This is a great way to help them with the new common core state standards of math in a deeper level.
|D|
Friday, October 7, 2011
Maths Teaching Ideas: 10 Great Maths Games Sites
Posted by Pooky Hesmondhalgh on July 11, 2011 at 8:56 am
Online maths teaching games can be a great way to engage students in maths learning, even if they aren’t very motivated in class. There a huge range of sites available and I’m recommending ten that were highlighted to me by Vijay Krishnan, a maths tutor who has found that these sites have really improved his students’ maths abilities.
Ixl.com
SheppardSoftware.com
Mathgames.com
Coolmath.com
Hoodamath.com
Mangahaigh.com
Mathsduck.co.uk
Coolmath4kids.com
Free-training-tutorial.com
Funbrain.com
This was tweeted earlier today and I wanted to share it here as well as use it in my classroom!
|D|
Online maths teaching games can be a great way to engage students in maths learning, even if they aren’t very motivated in class. There a huge range of sites available and I’m recommending ten that were highlighted to me by Vijay Krishnan, a maths tutor who has found that these sites have really improved his students’ maths abilities.
Ixl.com
SheppardSoftware.com
Mathgames.com
Coolmath.com
Hoodamath.com
Mangahaigh.com
Mathsduck.co.uk
Coolmath4kids.com
Free-training-tutorial.com
Funbrain.com
This was tweeted earlier today and I wanted to share it here as well as use it in my classroom!
|D|
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Free MATH Videos --- that's right FREE!!!
Maths Master offers short instructional videos for learning basic arithmetic and algebra. Maths Master is also working on developing video instruction on probability and geometry. The videos can be viewed on the Maths Master site or downloaded via iTunesU.Click on the logo above to be taken to their website!!
A great website for all grade levels and subjects relating to Mathematics!!
-D-
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
18 ELEMENTARY MATH Sites for Teachers, Parents and Students
Eighteen Websites for Elementary Math Teachers
5. TCAP Practice Test Sets from TN DOE -this takes you directly to the samplers
12. Math Test Prep with Lessons by Standard Great ideas and examples for test prep
13. Math Playground (Use after teaching lessons for practice as well as refreshers and review. Cool graphics and sound appeals to the kids and they learn in the process.)
15. Online Fact Navigator from Multiplication.com Teaches the concepts of multiplication and not just playing games. The site offers a great tool for interactive multiplication table.
16. BrianPop - Math All of the items are great, some require a subscription or email address to activate.
17. Numeracy from the BBC website Organized by age and subject. Check it out!
18. Online Math Games & Activities (Additional Collection) J. B. Pratt curates this listing of Online Math Games and Activities. He keeps it updated and active. Several great ideas, sites and collections from around the globe.
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