Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Use this hip site to reinforce the need for algebra in today's world. Beyond architecture, view videos that explain how musicians, fashion designers, and video game designers use algebra in their work. View videos on the site or embed into a blog, wiki, or other site for your students. Though the Challenges use Flash, there is certainly a lot more to learn at this entertaining site. Teachers will find a video introduction on using the site with classes as well as lesson plans either as a word document or Adobe PDF format.

tag(s): problem solving (233)

This site provides links to formulas and calculations used for finding baseball statistics. The site is written as a Baseball Stats 101 workshop providing a basic overview to statistics. Available links include common abbreviations, quotes about stats, and definitions and formulas. One of the most in-depth portions of the sites includes sample Microsoft Excel spreadsheets that can be used to track hitting and pitching, Little League individual player or team stats, odds of hitting a pitch, and major league team stats. Be sure to read some of the interesting quotes listed at the bottom of the page! This site does include some minor advertisements.

tag(s): charts and graphs (171), data (151), Microsoft (80), statistics (121)

This is an extensive collection of ready to go, teacher-made SMART Notebook activities. This collection covers all grade levels and subject areas. Click Elementary, Middle School, Jr. High, or High School to find the many (MANY) resources). The topics vary greatly and the quantity is impressive. You must have Smart Board software installed on your computer to open these files. Some files will work using the SMART Notebook Express online viewer available here. (Download the notebook file from Longwood's collection to your desktop and then upload to SMART Notebook Express site.)

Understand basic math and algebra, as well as advanced math topics like calculus and statistics. These free CliffsNotes articles can help when you're doing math homework and taking math tests. Articles begin with Algebra 1 and basic math skills and continue through Statistics and Trigonometry. Each article gives a written overview of the topic along with diagrams and charts. Each also contains a link on how to cite the article. Resources also include glossaries for Pre-Agebra, Geometry, and Statistics. Although the site is set up as a supplement to the familiar Cliff Notes books available as study guides, these materials are free and useful as resources in the math classroom. This site does include some unobtrusive advertisements.

tag(s): statistics (121)

Create your own motivational posters easily and simply. Choose a random picture (one from Flickr or Facebook) or use one already on your computer. Choose colors and other options as well as the type of text to be used. Enter your text and preview the result. Once complete, save to Flickr, your computer, or print. Remember you can use a saved image in PowerPoint shows and on a class wiki, as well as blogs and other sites.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): collages (17), images (263), photography (130), posters (43)

This website is designed for math students who need an easy-to-use, easy-to-understand math resource all in one place. It is a comprehensive listing of formulas and definitions from beginning algebra to calculus. The explanations are readable for average math students, and over a thousand illustrations and examples are provided. Terms can be searched alphabetically and by subject area. Multi-media entries are also identified separately - these include QuickTime movies, LiveGraphics3D, and JavaSketchpad. This site does include some unobtrusive advertisements.

tag(s): vocabulary (238)

This site offers tutorials for concepts taught in Pre-Calculus, Single Variable Calculus, Multi-Variable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations. Each tutorial includes explanations, examples, key concepts, and extensions of concepts taught. Some images are included; however, most explanations are written. Tutorials can also be downloaded in pdf form. At the end of each tutorial there is a quiz; these are only for Harvey Mudd College students and cannot be accessed by the general public.

tag(s): equations (119), tutorials (52), variables (14)

This site offers practice with math and challenging problems for all grade levels. If you teach math to grades 1-12, this site is a MUST SEE. It contains a graduated set of over 1,000 problems starting from very easy and working up to very difficult levels. Each problem contains a short description and an image to help visualize the problem. Problems adapt to the skill of the person answering problems, grade levels cannot be increased until 5 correct problems in a row have been solved. The tests concentrate on understanding, spatial reasoning, and problem solving rather than math rules and theorems.

tag(s): decimals (85), fractions (160), logic (161), operations (72), order of operations (29), test prep (69)

"Play and learn" Math on this interactive site loaded with lessons and flash activities. Topics range from Algebra, Probability, and up to Higher Calculus. Each lesson is divided into different subtopics which contain lessons using real-world examples and images. Many lessons include information obtained with the Live Math Viewer which can be downloaded from the site for free. Be sure to check out the "flash highlights" link which includes activities sure to appeal to students such as a Calculus Math Millionaire game, Math of Beauty, and an interactive World Population display. The advertising is worth ignoring to access the good content.

tag(s): charts and graphs (171), differentiation (84), probability (99)

This site offers a vast array of resources and information for working with Fibonacci Numbers, Golden Section Numbers, and the Golden String. Although the site design is "plain vanilla," the content is quite good. Be sure to check out the quick introduction page mentioned at the beginning of the site to find information on Fibonacci in nature along with images and activities. Links to activities are clearly marked with a pencil icon for quick access. Also included is an in-depth biography of Leonardo of Pisa who became known as Fibonacci in his later years. Students will love some of the number tricks found on the site under the Mathematical Magic of Fibonacci Numbers.

tag(s): puzzles (149)

This site offers an in-depth look at statistics starting with looking at numbers then discussing ways to "lie and cheat using statistics." Range, median, mode, and standard deviation are explained with examples then methods of collecting data are discussed. The third page takes a look at ways that data is presented and what it really does or does not tell us. Although this site is rather "plain vanilla" as many math sites are, it does offer a lot of useful information on a topic that is sometimes hard to find.

tag(s): data (151), statistics (121)

This site offers a variety of graph paper to be downloaded in PDF form. Graph categories include squares, triangular, hexagonal, circular, brick, and note-taking. Within each category are several options. Be sure to scroll down the site to read the helpful tips before printing any of the graph paper. Note that the pdfs will also display on an interactive whiteboard for students to graph, draw, and more!

tag(s): printables (36)

This site provides tutorials and free puzzles for the game of KenKen. KenKen is similar to Soduku; however, it has the added complication of requiring number combinations (using operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to fit within bolded boxes. The site has an excellent illustrated tutorial on how to play the game located at the "How to Play" link. Teachers can sign up for the free newsletter and receive free puzzles. There are several free puzzles on the site. Much of the site is devoted to selling puzzle books (so you will notice some advertisements); however, there are many free puzzles and the tutorial makes it worth a visit. Also available is an iphone app that can be downloaded to receive more puzzles.

tag(s): addition (129), division (98), logic (161), multiplication (122), puzzles (149), subtraction (110), vision (44)

Math lovers have been known to celebrate the Joys of Pi, and this website offers many opportunities for celebration! The site is based on David Blatner's book of the same name; however, it contains many links and resources for learning about Pi. The most in-depth portion is the links section which contains a long list of Pi links around the web such as Pi History, Pi Mysteries, and Fun with Pi. Who knows, you may want to follow the link to purchase a Pi tie!

Caution: there is a link to American Pi which is a spoof on the movie, American Pie, and may contain some adult themes.

tag(s): pi (29)

This site provides practice in introducing sequences, allowing students to create sequences by varying the starting number, multiplier, or add-on, reinforce previously obtained knowledge regarding the behavior of sequences, and practice computational skills. Be sure to check out the learner and instructor areas for valuable explanations. The learner area includes a detailed explanation of the activity and sequences. The instructor area provides links to standards, information about questions that may arise in the classroom, and links to additional resources. In addition, there is a downloadable sheet of exploration questions to be used in the classroom.

tag(s): equations (119), functions (52), operations (72), patterns (61)

This activity provides good practice in converting fractions, decimals and percents, simplifying fractions and developing number sense. Choose from different time limits and difficulty levels as well as activities such as percentages, converting fractions/decimals, reducing fractions, add/subtracting fractions and much more. The instructor tab provides information on standards addressed, suggested classroom uses and links to similar resources.

tag(s): decimals (85), fractions (160), percent (59), test prep (69)

This is a one stop shop for SMART Board (interactive whiteboard) math lessons. All information and activities found on this site have been created by the site's owner Harvey Almarode a retired education professor from James Madison University. The site contains pre-made SMART lessons, web resources and links to SMART professional development. Lessons can be found and downloaded on all math topics.

These lessons are created for the SMART Board so SMART Notebook software is needed to run the lessons. If you don't have SMART Notebook the lessons can be viewed using SMART Notebook Express found at http://express.smarttech.com/#. The site also sells a flash drive with the lessons loaded on it, but you don't HAVE to buy anything.

tag(s): puzzles (149), riddles (15)

This site provides practice with identifying patterns using a table and chairs visual. Practice involves exploration, where the student chooses the length and arrangement of the table (straight line or rectangle) or guess based on the random image generated. Be sure to check out the in-depth explanation on the learner portion of the website. The instructor area includes a description, links to standards, classroom information and links to similar resources. Exploration questions can be downloaded for classroom use.

tag(s): equations (119), logic (161), patterns (61), problem solving (233)

This site provides many resources for math teachers of all grades and includes lesson plans, articles, classroom and administrator questions and answers, and helpful links - all located under the "helpful tool" tab at the top of the site. Click to find elementary resources, algebra, calculus, and other "basic math." Free webinars are also available within the site. Math Solutions was founded by Marilyn Burns, who is known as one of the foremost experts in elementary math instruction. Although much of the website is devoted to materials and Professional Development for sale, there are many resources available for free that are extremely helpful for classroom teachers. One such resource is the classroom lessons portion. Lessons are in ready to print PDF format making them easy to review and use for planning. Sample classroom conversations are often included along with samples of student work and suggestions for use in the classroom. This site also sells many resource materials, so links to these materials are included for alternative resources within the lesson. No need to buy, however! Teachers can sign up to receive the free monthly newsletter containing information about new materials on the Math Solutions site.

tag(s): problem solving (233)

Find great math resources on this free site on countless topics. Click each resource to find sites useful on individual computers or projected on a whiteboard screen. Be sure to test out each interactive prior to using with a class, as some require Flash or other programs. Find great games about Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Probability, and Money. Though these interactives are labeled for grades 7-12, several can be used by K-5 teachers i.e. the number line interactives. Click on an activity and then explore the tabs above. There is a wealth of material here, so be sure to check it out!

tag(s): data (151), money (113), numbers (120), probability (99)