Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This site offers many opportunities for math exploration for both teachers and students. Although they have a store and ads on the site, much of the site is free and worth a visit. One especially helpful portion of the site is the link to different types of calculators from basic to graphing to mortgage and loan calculators. Students and parents will find the homework section of the site helpful as it is categorized by different topics, then each topic is further divided into sections. For example, under fractions you will find definitions, reducing, adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing. In each of those portions there is a section with a first glance (overview), in-depth, examples, and workout. There is also a unit quiz for each section. Another helpful area of the site is the practice section which offers practice in many different math skills such as square root, percent, and integers. The games section offers practice with critical thinking skills through logic puzzles and games such as chess.
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tag(s): calculators (36), fractions (160), integers (21), percent (59), test prep (69)

This site is perfect to practice math skills using real-time information and statistics from the American and National Leagues. A vast amount of data is available including prices of recent transactions, team and player statistics, streaks, and more. Considerable data is included for All-Star games, postseason stats, and frivolities such as birthdays and birthplaces. Information is also included for minor league teams. Be sure to check out the tutorial videos that help users with the site. Videos include information on box scores and their features, player and team gamelogs, and a 17 minute video reviewing features and layout of the baseball-reference site.

tag(s): charts and graphs (171), data (151), probability (99), statistics (121)

If you are looking for fun math interactives and printable, this is the place for you! Hundreds of activities are available and are sorted in several different formats. Search by grade level, board games, worksheets, printable games, and more. Some grade levels also offer customizable worksheets. If you aren't sure what you are looking for, try the Cool Math Games link to view the most highly rated games or the Popular Math Games link to find the most visited games. Visitors can sign up to receive an email when new games are available and subscribe to Dr. Mike's blog and newsletter. There are some ads on the site that you will want to have students avoid.
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tag(s): fractions (160), number sense (69), numbers (120), puzzles (149), sudoku (10), worksheets (69)

What did one math book say to the other? Don't bother me I've got my own problems! Are you looking for more bad jokes like this for your math class or perhaps a staff presentation? This site is for you! Choose from over 40 math jokes listed on this site, or send in your own. Who says math teachers can't be funny?

tag(s): riddles (15)

Find tutorials and problems with solutions on the informative math site. Find help with calculus, trigonometry, algebra, and more. Use the tutorials to find ways to solve a variety of math problems.
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tag(s): problem solving (233)

How are rainbows formed? Why do they only occur when the sun is behind the observer? If the sun is low on the horizon, at what angle in the sky should we expect to see a rainbow? This lab helps to answer these and other questions by examining a mathematical model of light passing through a water droplet. Follow each step of the lab - how light travels, reflection, refraction, exploration, and analysis - to solve the questions. Each segment offers some information about the topic and questions to explore or experiments. The focus of each of the activities is the Mathematical equations and principals involved in creating rainbows.

tag(s): angles (52), colors (63), light (56), problem solving (233)

Connect art and math using this site. The Bridges Organization was created in 1998 as an organization dedicated to promoting how Mathematics and the Arts work together. Each year they hold an annual conference in cities from North America to Europe. Members include mathematicians, artists, sculptors, dancers, computer scientists, and many more. The website contains background information on the organization, links to past conferences, and current conference information. Perhaps of most interest to classroom teachers are the links to the galleries. Contained within these are hundreds of works of art that have been featured at the conferences (try the link to the 2010 Bridges Conference for example). Click on any of the links and find pictures of their work along with a short explanation of how math is used in the piece.

tag(s): art history (102), artists (84), geometric shapes (134), tessellations (3)

This site provides multi-leveled practice with calculating the area of random shapes. The applet allows the creation of random shapes to be used in finding area. Options allow for changing the perimeter, displaying the rectangular outline, scored or not scored, and the amount of units to be included. The learner area of the site explains the concept of area and includes charts comparing metric to standard units as well as an explanation on how to convert square feet into square meters. The instructor area includes links to standards and some textbooks, information needed for classroom use, links to similar resources, and a link to downloadable exploration questions.

tag(s): angles (52), area (53), perimeter (20)

Visually experiment with the relationship between the value of fractions and areas within a square or a circle with this activity. It also provides practice with viewing fractions in a circle or square and the representation on a number line. Scoring is available; however, it can be turned off to allow students to practice freely. Be sure to check out the instructor area which provides links to standards, possible classroom uses, and links to related resources.

tag(s): area (53), fractions (160), geometric shapes (134), test prep (69)

This site provides practice in converting from base 10 to other values up to base 16. Three clocks are displayed and options are provided for choosing the value used on the clocks. Upon entering the choice, the hands on the clock turn to show the appropriate representation in the chosen base. The learner section provides information on base number systems and how they have been used in the past. The instructor section provides links to standards, place value in the curriculum, possible issues that may arise in the classroom and links to additional resources including an activity sheet.

tag(s): base ten (5), number sense (69)

This site provides students the opportunity to visually relate fractions within a square or circle to the representation of the same fraction on a number line. The activity begins with empty shapes, with the pointer pointing to zero. As the desired sections are colored, the pointer moves along the number line corresponding to the fraction of the shape that bas been colored. The instructor area of the website provides information on how the activity corresponds within the math curriculum, links to standards, classroom preparation and links to related resources.

tag(s): estimation (33), fractions (160), number lines (33), numbers (120)

This site provides great practice with linear functions in the format of y=m*x+b. Integers between 0 and 10 are available for use. The activity can be used with or without scoring. The learner section provides a detailed explanation and examples on how to use the function machine. The instructor sections includes information on how to use the site in the classroom, links to standards and related resources. Be sure to check out the downloadable exploration questions that can be used in the classroom.

tag(s): functions (52), logic (161), patterns (61), problem solving (233)

This site provides good practice with mixtures to create percent problems through 4 different activities. Activities include exploration, unknown pile, unknown percent, or unknown total. The site includes sections for both learners and instructors. The learners section explains how mixtures are used in the real world and the instructor section provides curriculum and standards alignments, classroom suggestions, and links to related resources. This site would also work well in a chemistry class.

tag(s): percent (59)

Explore simple linear functions with this activity. The function is always a simple line of y=(m*x)+b, any integers from -10 to 10 can be inputted. You can practice algebra skills, pattern finding, arithmetic skills, and exploring the function of variables. The instructor tab also includes standards addressed, possible issues that may come up in class discussion, and links to similar resources.

tag(s): equations (119), functions (52), patterns (61), variables (14)

This site provides practice with linear functions with this programmable function machine. After entering a value for x, the value of y is displayed. Based on the value of y, students then will determine the function (add, subtract, or multiply) and the value needed using integers from -10 to +10. Teacher information includes standards, an exploration worksheet, classroom suggestions and links to similar resources.

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

This site is a compilation of many math and science resources along with a social networking component. Currently there are almost 2000 activities, lessons, and videos and the site is constantly growing. There are several ways to use the site both as a registered user or without registration. Without registering for the site you can search and access lessons and information through the different search methods such as keywords, subjects, source institution, and more. Free registration allows the site to become much more personalized. After registering, you can make lists of resources for any different topic, share lists or searches with others, add comments, or add your own resources. Most activities on the site are free; however, there are some searches that deliver lessons that are paid - these are clearly indicated and not frequent enough to discourage use of this site. Searches can also filter out any paid activities and return only free items. Teachers may also want to subscribe to the site's blog and newsletter to receive updated information as it is added to the site.

In case you are wondering about the title, SMILE is the Science and Math Informal Learning Educators pathway of the National Science Digital Library (NSDL).

tag(s): resources (83), social networking (61), STEM (297), video (266)

This site is the ultimate resource for any measurement or conversion need. Calculators are included for Math, Science, Cooking, Time, and much more. Categories are listed in alphabetical order from Acceleration to Weight/Mass. Within each category are the different converters/calculators. For example, after choosing volume, choices include acres, barrels (dry, federal, liquid, and wine), cubic units, gallons, quarts teaspoons, yards, and more. Other interesting conversions include your weight on other planets, your age in dog years, and translations to and from Pig Latin. You are sure to find exactly the conversion for any need within this site along with others to use just for fun!
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tag(s): conversions (37), measurement (122), temperature (34), time (91)

This is a collection of interactive activities that teach mathematical concepts from algebra up through calculus, and well-written instructional modules that introduce scientific concepts, primarily in physics and life sciences from grades 3-12. Each module includes interactive elements that let students experiment with the topic concept. The presentation and subject matter are excellent for these high-interest interactives. A free acount gives you 20-40 free Gizmos, lesson materials, to teach with,

tag(s): earth (184), engineering (129), equations (119), forensics (12), life cycles (21), measurement (122), numbers (120), probability (99), scientific method (48), space (222)

Enjoy NASA's images of planets and spacecraft used in space exploration. This site is a great reference site for concise information about planets, and spacecraft. An online glossary contains space terms, and the origins of names for planets, moons, or spacecraft that are from Greek mythology, Latin, or famous people. Spacecraft information includes the assembly, lift off, and mission information. Spacecraft information comes in an audio format too. A CD is offered for sale from the National Space Science Data Center.

tag(s): earth (184), planets (113), solar system (110), space (222)

EZSchool is an educational portal that contains EZ worksheets, interactives, online study tools, and tutorials. Although this site is "busy" with clutter from some related advertisements, it is easy to navigate by grade level, subject, or more specific topics such as grammar, writing, and vocabulary for English, or word problems, geometry, and algebra for math, biology and chemistry for science, as well as Spanish, Japanese, and Hindi language activities. There are also SAT/PSAT practice questions with detailed answers. All materials are free to use, print, and distribute for use in the classroom or at home. The website is frequently updated with new activities. Weekly updates to the site are offered on the home page.
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tag(s): grammar (137), japan (56), japanese (47), spanish (109), substitutes (25), vocabulary (238), writing (325)