Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

The main idea of the site is that one needs to understand math; it is not just learned or memorized, and the explanations form the basis of understanding. Topics include Mental Math shortcuts, discovering pi, different bases, and much more. The founder of this site stated: "I want to share hard-won "a ha!" moments in clear and simple language. Even Math shortcuts are fun, I promise." Many of the explanations aren't quite as "clear and simple" as students may like; however, there are a great number of topics explored on the site and they are worth the time to break apart and discuss as a class. Not finding your topic? I know, this is a long list of links. Use the search bar; for example, type in pi and find well over two dozen links for pi.

tag(s): exponents (35), mental math (19), number sense (69), pi (29), problem solving (233), pythagorean theorem (19), square roots (15), statistics (121), vectors (16)

Curriki is a nonprofit organization that encourages teachers and learners' to collaborate in developing quality educational materials in a global community. Click What We Do from the top menu and slide to CurikiStudio, and click Creators to create a free account and find resources like questions, photos/images, multimedia, and more for interactive lesson creation. Next under Solutions is CurrikiGo, where you will publish your lessons, etc. Last on the dropdown list is the CurrikiLibrary, where you can search by subject area, grade level, or resource type (interactive, video, or podcast). For a thorough summary of Curriki click the Explore a CurrikiStudio Activity. Join different groups for a more involved way to explore new areas in online learning, subject area interests, or focus questions. Create collections of your resources to keep private or share with others. This site focuses on providing free access to teachers, schools, students, or parents to many new creative ideas for in-class learning, digital learning, and hybrid or blended learning in a global community. Free membership includes monthly newsletters. Follow Curriki on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or blogs.
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tag(s): graphic organizers (48), literacy (122), OER (43), operations (72), resources (83), rubrics (37), Teacher Utilities (198)

This site offers practice with computation in several different areas of math. Math problems are organized into 86 levels (and increasing), ranging from simple ordering of numbers to addition and subtraction (with/without carrying, borrowing, word problems, using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and more). There is also multiplication, division (simple as well as long), fractions, time, algebra, geometry, etc. You can sign up and register your class to receive feedback on student progress. It will grade the submitted answers and you will get the scores for all your students.
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tag(s): addition (129), decimals (85), division (98), fractions (160), multiplication (122), numbers (120), problem solving (233), subtraction (110), time (91), whole numbers (9)

TuLyn Video Clips on YouTube provides over 2000 math video tutorial clips for grades 1 through 12. Available items can be viewed by searching by topic, grade level, or school level. After choosing a topic there is a short explanation, definitions, and links to available resources by format. Choices include video tutorials, worksheets, word problems, discussions, and books. All worksheets are in PDF format for easy saving and printing. Be aware, this site has many advertisements. You may want to peruse the site and get the video (or other activity) prepared ahead of time, to avoid the advertisements.
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tag(s): problem solving (233), tutorials (52), video (266), worksheets (69)

Mr. P offers a site loaded with Math humor, facts, problems, songs, videos, quotes, puzzles, games, poems, and lesson plans. Especially helpful are the math videos (which require QuickTime). The Math Poems and Songs are great for your more auditory learners. The problem of the month is offered with the solution provided at the end of the month; however, previous problems, with their solutions, are archived and available to use.

tag(s): equations (119), humor (15), polynomials (20), puzzles (149)

This site was created for teachers to help students see the fun and creative side of Math! There are many games here to be used in the classroom. Some activities include printables. Activities are categorized by math topic and grade level. Be sure to check out the Math Tricks for fun shortcuts and tricks to amaze students! Some worksheets are available on the site; however, most activities are hands-on practice for students. Teachers and parents can sign up to receive a monthly newsletter with tips and ideas.
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tag(s): addition (129), counting (60), division (98), multiplication (122), printables (36), subtraction (110), worksheets (69)

"I decided to put together Mathstory.com to keep students smiling and engaged as they mastered mathematical concepts," is Mr. R's explanation for this site that includes many resources for elementary teachers along with a few lessons for Jr High and High School teachers. Be sure to check out the Math Videos page which includes 20 homemade videos created for learning strategies for counting and multiplying (the page may be slow to load because of the number of videos included). The Math Story link currently leads you to the online book, Fourth Grade and the Evil Wizard of Math. Each chapter contains math problems. There are many math lessons included for all grade levels. Don't miss the interesting math poems to learn geometric shapes. There is A LOT here to explore!
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tag(s): geometric shapes (134), interactive stories (22), poetry (193), video (266)

New Orleans Math Teacher, Jerome White, has created this site to share his classroom productions with others. He has produced videos fashioned after popular songs with Math themes. Examples are Super Geek sung to the tune of Super Freak, I Solved for X to the tune of I Kissed a Girl, and many more. Videos are presented through YouTube and most are also linked to an original posting with an explanation of the contents. Be sure to also check out his Math Nerdiness page which features his Mathematical explanation of Parallel Parking, Sine Cradle, Rational Functions explanations, and other "Nerdiness." Other linked portions of the site are for more mature students, such as the tattoo designs done by calculus students. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): angles (52), geometric shapes (134), humor (15), quadratics (27)

Mathebook.net has Online Tutorials as well as Downloadable pdf tutorials which you can save on a computer and use later. It can be used by teachers for home work purpose. The pdf is editable and students can e-mail the homework tutorials by e-mail back to teachers. To begin using the site, you simple choose from kindergarten, elementary, middle school, or high school levels. Within each of those sections is a list of topics, and then a choice of virtual or ebook. Virtual activities are those done on the computer and cannot be saved. These are items such as fact practice where feedback will be given as to the correctness of answers. eWorkbook items are PDF documents that can be printed and used as worksheets. You can either print and use them, or the answers can be inputted online, saved, then emailed to the instructor. The site also includes a math dictionary, video tutorials, and downloadable worksheets.
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tag(s): addition (129), decimals (85), division (98), factors (29), fractions (160), measurement (122), multiplication (122), number sense (69), subtraction (110), time (91), video (266), worksheets (69)

This site offers practice in secondary mathematics topics using fun activities such as games, and Math With the Movies, and a cool activity called "MathCaching." "MathCaching" uses the internet to find hidden boxes to reveal clues to the games. Your success at "MathCaching" is dependent upon your skills at solving mathematical problems. Answers to caching activities can only be retrieved through email - teachers must email the site administrator from an educational email address, parents need to register on the site then email the administrators. Explanations for all activities are available onsite. Junior Math Resources has a section with free samples for teacher use. The printables and multimedia materials covers sixth grade math through Pre Algebra with the intent of to energize students' mathematical experiences. And, there is much more to explore!

tag(s): logic (161), problem solving (233), puzzles (149)

This site contains many examples of symmetry found in the world around us. Examples include images of animals, humans, insects, and more. In addition to all of the activities, be sure to check out the information at the bottom of page under "Free Stuff."

tag(s): flips (6), geometric shapes (134), symmetry (26), turns (3)

This site offers information about how to organize and assess a math fair, but more importantly, provides puzzles and resources to use. SNAP is an acronym for student-centered, non-competitive, all-inclusive, and problem-based. The purpose of a SNAP math fair is to provide a meaningful, problem-solving experience for all students. Puzzles are offered in 2 levels, plus there are river-crossing, and Sodoku puzzles. Each puzzle is explained and illustrated with the problem. One dilemma for the site creators was in how to provide the solutions as they realize that there are several methods for solving each puzzle. Answers are not provided; however you can email the site creators for answers.

tag(s): critical thinking (127), logic (161), problem solving (233), puzzles (149)

ThatQuiz is an online assessment tool for teachers of all subjects and grade levels. Create an account to gain access to record keeping tools. You can make your own tests using questions within the site. Students do not need to register since additional features are only for teachers. After choosing a category, different options are available within each of the quizzes to increase difficulty and add features. Quizzes can be timed or completed at the students' own pace. There is also an option to create a url for an individual quiz that can be linked to Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) accounts.

tag(s): africa (148), angles (52), asia (116), cells (82), charts and graphs (171), conversions (37), europe (84), exponents (35), factors (29), fractions (160), french (75), geometric shapes (134), german (49), human body (93), inequalities (25), measurement (122), money (113), north america (15), place value (34), probability (99), quiz (67), quizzes (90), spanish (109), time (91)

This interactive was intended for woodworkers but works very well in Geometry class. The activity works by showing you a series of geometric figures that need to be adjusted a bit to make them correct. A square highlights the point that needs to be moved or adjusted. Use the mouse to drag the blue square or arrowhead where you feel it is 'right.' Once you let go of the mouse, the computer evaluates your move, so don't let up on the mouse button until you are sure. The 'correct' geometry is also shown in green, so you can see where you went wrong. You will be see each challenge three times. The table to the right shows your score ach time. You can compare your score to the last 500 players or to your last best score.
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tag(s): angles (52), geometric shapes (134), puzzles (149)

This excellent site consists of ideas for projects to use in Math fairs; however, there are many other uses for the ideas presented on this site. Titles and subjects such as Juice Box Geometry, Play-Doh Math, and more, are intriguing and sure to capture students' interest. Topics include geometry, estimation, measurement, and probability. Each project contains detailed directions including background knowledge required, materials, and variations to try. General grade level suggestions are also provided (for grades 1-10.) One activity includes a video to help understand the directions. Perhaps most interesting is the section at the end of each project that is composed of links to careers in mathematics that tie-in to the activities.

tag(s): estimation (33), experiments (55), probability (99)

Vi Hart's math videos have become very popular. They have even been featured on various cable shows. She also includes her X (formerly Twitter) information, so you can follow her. In the link, "Math Doodling," are several videos on doodling in the math classroom sure to entertain Math teachers and students alike. Titles include Stop-Motion Silly Band Fight, Sick Number Games, Snakes + Graphs, Stars, Binary Trees, and others. Be sure to also check out the link to Mathematical Food which contains demonstrations of slicing apples into Platonic Solids, slicing a cubic apple to find a regular hexagon, and how to arrange candy corn into Sierpinski's Triangle. Another wonderful resource is the link on balloons. Directions for making tetrahedrons, icosahedrons, and other shapes are all included. If you like Vi Harts Vimeo site, check out her blog here.

tag(s): geometric shapes (134), humor (15)

This site offers tutorials, videos, publications, and more for users of GeoGebra (free downloadable software reviewed here). Links on the site include math modules with ready-to-use problems categorized by subject - Measurement, Algebra 1 & 2, and Calculus. Holiday and fun activities are also included. Be sure to check out the TeacherTube and YouTube videos with many explanations and tutorials of GeoGebra lessons and activities. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): angles (52), geometric shapes (134), holidays (187), measurement (122)

This site contains 38 weeks of Geometry lessons provided in several formats to be easily used with interactive whiteboards. Dan Meyer is well known for his mathematics teaching methods and much of the material is hands-on, problem-based activities appropriate for any classroom. Lessons are in slide format and can be downloaded in Keynote (Mac) or PowerPoint (Windows). In addition, each week's lessons can be downloaded as a PDF. Each lesson contains slide notes for the teacher and weekly handouts are available for use. Textbook assignments reference Discovering Geometry; however, these materials can be used with any textbook or materials. Each week's lessons are also tagged making it easy to find other similar content within the site.

tag(s): angles (52), functions (52), geometric shapes (134), patterns (61), problem solving (233), test prep (69), tutorials (52)

Looking for review materials for a variety of classes? Use for a wide range of curriculum topics. (A "learning object" is any kind of interactive activity, animation, video, audio file, etc, that can be used for learning.) This site is great for introductory, reinforcement, or review materials. Find most of the relevant topics by using the search bar. Choose from many subjects such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, math, sociology, world languages, and written communication, among others. Gifted students or those who learn well independently can study Chinese and other topics not easily available in their school using WISC-Onkine.

tag(s): animals (294), business (52), cells (82), chinese (45), grammar (137), grammar review (31), life cycles (21), microscopes (10), plants (146), psychology (65), sentences (22), sociology (23), speech (69)

This site offers printable worksheets for practice in Arithmetic, Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Each topic includes several sub-topics such as factoring, simplifying equations, sum and product of roots, and more. Each worksheet offers an example problem, practice problems, and mixed-practice homework problems. Answer keys are also included. In addition to the worksheets, links are provided to web resources for each concept that include additional information and interactive images.

tag(s): angles (52), equations (119), factors (29), operations (72), worksheets (69)