Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Join Curious George in his adventures with the Man in the Yellow Hat. Enjoy the antics of Curious George through online games, printables, and videos. Games feature matching, numbers, sounds, categorizing, shapes, Spanish, movement/dance, and animal sounds. Earn stickers with successful completion of each game. In the teacher section, there are 16 "ready to go" activities. Each activity includes a description, topic, and tips!

tag(s): animals (294), dance (31), geometric shapes (134), matching (8), numbers (120), preK (270)

Looking for a way to add challenges to your middle school math curriculum or gifted classes? Try Figure This, a site of math challenges developed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Figure This offers a number of challenges in English and Spanish to be used in a classroom or offered to families for math challenges at home. A PowerPoint is included to help increase parent involvement. Learn why most manholes are round, how fast your heart beats, and numerous other interesting topics. At the time of this review, there were 80 "Challenges" to explore. All of high interest and intriguing topics! Although mainly math activity, many border on science topics as well. Each activity offers hints and answers explained in many ways. Finding the answer is rather tricky! Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the link to Answer. Don't miss the Teachers Corner. It includes all beginning materials; PowerPoints, forms, and ideas you need to begin!

tag(s): critical thinking (127), geometric shapes (134), logic (161), percent (59), probability (99), problem solving (233), statistics (121)

Create magical looking artwork as you click and drag with this beautiful site. Personalize the images using the color and format links at the bottom of the screen. Choose from vertical or four-way symmetry or symmetry off. Include new age music to add to the magical effects or turn music off with a simple click. Share your creations through links to X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, email, or copy the link. Share your art with using email, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Pinterest. Althought there is no option to print or save a finished design, you could take a screenshot (Shift+ Command +4 on a mac or Prtscrn key on Windows) and save or paste it into a document to write about or save.

tag(s): colors (63), symmetry (26)

The virtual geoboard provides an online geoboard experience for elementary and middle school students. Choose a rubber band color and drag to any peg. Move the rubber band to form new shapes and angles. Make any shape created on a regular geoboard to demonstrate lines, angles, triangle formation and more. Fill and unfill shapes using the color tool provided. Choose from a 5 X 5 or 15 X 10 pegboard using the link at the bottom of the page. Want to learn more? See the i link.

tag(s): angles (52), geometric shapes (134), manipulatives (9)

Math Monday is a weekly column discussing fun, experiential, and puzzling topics in mathematics. Each article takes a math idea, explains the concept, and uses images (and/or videos) to put the concept into action. Sample topics include hula hoop geometry, large stars, mathematical quilting, and much more. Subscribe to the RSS feed to view new topics each Monday using the link at the top of the page. (Or add the feed to your Flipboard account if you have a tablet.) There is also a very long list of archives to explore and try!

tag(s): colors (63), fractions (160), geometric shapes (134), origami (14), pi (29), puzzles (149)

Join Jackie, Matt, and Inez in the PBS world of Cyberchase, using the magical powers of math and science to take adventures. The "Motherboard" heads the team against the evils of the universe, Hacker. Visit "Games" to find interactives. There are printables found at the "Activities" link. And finally, watch different episodes (see Video) of Cyberchase to practice various math skills. After the show, find links to the math presented in the show. Examples of content topics include: fractions, geometry, math, weather, money, problem solving, using data, using numbers, science and engineering, pre-algebra, measurement, math and sports, and geometry.

tag(s): data (151), engineering (129), fractions (160), money (113), problem solving (233), sports (82), weather (160)

Media4Math offers math resources including videos, tutorials, and more. Choose the tutorial tab to find many tutorials perfect for interactive whiteboard use on topics such as algebra tiles, solving equations, and linear functions. Choose the PowerPoint tab to download PowerPoints for Algebra Jeopardy, slope/function, and quadratic functions. Watch video tutorials for the TI-Nspire Clickpad and Touchpad at the Nspire tab. This site is worth a look for anyone teaching upper-level mathematics. Registration is required (with email) for some of the features. Also, be aware some of the videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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tag(s): angles (52), charts and graphs (171), equations (119), functions (52), geometric shapes (134), polynomials (20), quadratics (27), statistics (121)

Discover a huge collection of interactive illustrations to help explain complex concepts in science, technology, art, math, and a range of other topics. Use these activities to create interactive visualizations. There are thousands of Mathematica Demonstrations. A demonstration is a Mathematica notebook that takes advantage of Mathematica's manipulate command. Use the manipulate command to create sliders or buttons or check boxes to change the values of parameters in the displays in the demonstration. The result is you control the animation. View demonstrations on topics ranging from odd and even numbers to odd and even functions, fractions to fractals, and from linear functions to linear algebra and linear programming. In addition to mathematical topics, there are demonstrations illustrating the time in different cities around the world, global demographic information, the solar system, and art and music concepts. You need to download the Wolfram CDF player to use and interact with the demonstrations.
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tag(s): addition (129), animals (294), architecture (75), computers (109), division (98), fractions (160), geometric shapes (134), gravity (43), logic (161), maps (220), money (113), multiples (15), multiplication (122), plants (146), psychology (65), statistics (121), subtraction (110), weather (160)

Don't miss this unique search engine for math and science. Search for equations, formulas, and expressions using mathematical symbols and scientific notations or search using text. Choose from options before beginning a search such as basic, operators, physics, trigonometry, and others. Results provided are the most relevant results that are theoretically similar instead of visually similar. Take a tour of the site with the video provided at the home page to better understand its capabilities. Download the extension for Chrome or Firefox using links provided. Be sure to check out the Formatting Tips link for tips and suggestions on using Symbolab.

tag(s): calculators (36), equations (119), scientific method (48), symbols (15)

Join the Cat in the Hat, Sally, and friends on an adventure that teaches, reinforces, and enriches learning for young students. Easily navigate through Games, Printing, and Videos. Each area features different concepts: colors, shapes, numbers, letters, matching, easy art projects, videos, songs, and spatial reasoning. Be sure to check out the activities on the top menu; they change with each page you click. There are also seasonal/timely activities on the main page. A wide variety of games keep you coming back to find yet another adventure with the Cat in the Hat. The site features user friendly directions for any age.

tag(s): alphabet (53), colors (63), dr seuss (12), geometric shapes (134), measurement (122), numbers (120), preK (270)

This "must-see" site includes many tests for Kindergarten through grade 7. Activities support California State Standards and Common Core Standards. Each activity includes a link with standards addressed. Choose by grade level or topic. Each topic has a drop-down box to further refine choice by grade level and content.

tag(s): addition (129), alphabetical order (8), capitalization (9), decimals (85), division (98), earth (184), fractions (160), geometric shapes (134), homophones (6), keyboarding (28), map skills (63), maps (220), money (113), multiplication (122), number sense (69), reading comprehension (149), sign language (10), spelling (98), subtraction (110), synonyms (15), time (91), vocabulary (238)

Explore and discover math in the world around you using ideas from this creative blog. Think about math through the eyes of the author as she points out the discovery of math in everyday places and events such as the movement of children and murals created from circular doodles.

tag(s): addition (129), division (98), geometric shapes (134), logic (161), multiplication (122), number sense (69), numbers (120), origami (14), patterns (61), problem solving (233), substitutes (25)

The Mathematics Visions Project contains lessons and activities integrated into Common Core Standards for use with secondary students. Two versions are available: Secondary One and Secondary One Honors. Both include an edition for students and teachers. It is highly recommended that you read the introduction to the materials to understand the concept behind the lessons before beginning use. Each module is in PDF format for easy printing. It is not necessary to print the entire module. Choose a lesson and just print those pages. Following each lesson is a homework assignment. The Ready, Set, Go! homework assignments correlate to the daily classroom experience and are organized into three parts: Ready to prepare to learn new material, Set! for practicing developing skills (the new mathematical skills become more "set" or fluent), Go! to help students remember the skills and procedures learned previously. Follow links provided for additional support with concepts in the homework material. Assessments for each module provide feedback through multiple choice, constructed response, and short answer questions.

tag(s): equations (119), inequalities (25), sequences (12), sequencing (17)

Find many ready to go, subject specific, Common Core aligned projects free for your use. Developed by the Buck Institute for Education, who are THE experts for project based learning, the PBLU projects are designed to save you time in the project based learning process. However, each project is flexible enough to customize it to your needs. Sign up for their newsletter to stay updated about new project development. You can even suggest a project for them to create through the Community Wish List.

tag(s): problem solving (233), Project Based Learning (23), Research (87), STEM (297)

The Math Dictionary is a glossary of important terms that elementary and middle school students need to know for success in their mathematics and science classes. The dictionary includes diagrams when appropriate. Click on any letter to see a list of terms. Choose the term to find the definition. Read the short definition along with the Hawaiian translation. Some items include examples or diagrams along with links to further information.

tag(s): dictionaries (47), vocabulary (238)

The Mathematics Assessment Project aims to bring life to the Common Core Standards by offering assessments for use in middle school and high school classrooms. Assessments are both summative tests or tasks and classroom performance based. Classroom research and feedback led to the development of all tasks. Choose from complete lessons including Common Core standards goals, print-outs as needed, and directions. Also included are tasks separated by middle school or high school level and high school tests for college readiness. There is an excellent professional development portion on the site for incorporating activity based learning in classrooms along with videos, session guides, and handouts. Download modules as needed for offline use. Find a step by step overview of how to use the site at the instructions tab at the top of each page.

tag(s): angles (52), area (53), assessment (147), charts and graphs (171), decimals (85), equations (119), estimation (33), measurement (122), negative numbers (13), percent (59), pythagorean theorem (19)

Math10 contains math resources for primary and secondary math students and teachers. Choose from categories such as Problem Solver, Adding and Subtracting Up to 100, Math Tests, Math History, and more. The topics of math problems vary from primary grade topics up through post-secondary. Search the topics on the left toolbar. The Math History portion is an in-depth look at math throughout the ages including classical Greek geometry through the origins of calculus. Games are divided into categories beginning with addition games through coordinates and equations. Be sure to check out the problem of the week for a new activity weekly.
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tag(s): division (98), equations (119), exponents (35), fractions (160), logic (161), mixed numbers (8), multiplication (122), operations (72), polynomials (20), probability (99), problem solving (233), pythagorean theorem (19), sequences (12), square roots (15)

Check out these materials and resources for teaching math vocabulary aligned to Common Core Standards and compiled by a Utah school district. Categories include vocabulary cards, presentation materials, templates, and activities and lessons. Print vocabulary cards for each grade level up to 7th grade and also a word list for secondary students. Lists are in PDF format and include a short explanation and words in alphabetical order, ready to use on a word wall or as flash cards. Don't miss the Presentation Materials section with many professional development ideas.

tag(s): professional development (385), vocabulary (238)

Find videos recorded by professional educators. These are not just the humdrum lecture type videos you might expect. These are dynamic speakers, energized by their desire to share what they've learned and know. The videos are even more appealing because of the professional animators who worked in the background (with the educators) to get the message across to the audience. You can search these videos by "Lessons" (under "Discover") and from there by subject, "Collections," is organized by theme, or by "Exploration." Every video has a "Think" section with multiple choice and open ended questions. If you get a multiple choice answer wrong you will receive a video hint to help you get it correct. Every video has a Dig Deeper section with additional resources for exploring the topic. You can take one of these videos, a video from YouTube, or any other video with a URL and "flip" them to make them your own. You can change the title, put in instructions, discard or keep the questions, create your own questions. In other words, you can make the video your own, to suit your needs. Once you save the video it will have a unique URL so you can track the progress and participation of anyone using it. Don't miss such clever offerings as David Hunter's video about the importance of geography concepts in deciding "How do you decide where to go in a zombie apocalypse?" Ted-Ed is only part of the TED offerings. View the full TED site reviewed here. Be sure to look at the Discover and Create tabs on the top menu.

tag(s): blended learning (37), business (52), design (79), literature (221), psychology (65), religions (95), Teacher Utilities (198), video (266)

Find lessons and activities aligned to Common Core math standards for every grade level on the Illustrative Mathematics site. Choose from K-8 or high school standards to begin your search. Choose a topic such as geometry or measurement and data to expand the list of activities. Choose from the appropriate grade level to find the task. Each task has a direct link to view the task along with a link to download in PDF format. The site is a little difficult to follow, so allow some exploration time to find all that there is to offer. Site registration isn't required; however, it is available to rate and comment on lessons and upload your own activities.
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tag(s): assessment (147), base ten (5), equations (119), fractions (160), operations (72), probability (99), problem solving (233), ratios (47), statistics (121)