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)

Take the Challenge of the 7 Cups within this site. Sections include basic skills, critical thinking, and in-depth looks at circles, trapezoids, rectangles, and triangles. Each of the 4 topics has a printable activity to practice finding area within each of the shapes. Once the activities are completed, the answers will help to solve the Riddle of the 7 Cups.

tag(s): area (53), geometric shapes (134)

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)

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)

This site offers several galleries of mathematical art sorted by different contributors. Included are Algorithmic Artwork, Fractal Art, Origami, and more. After choosing a gallery, all contributions are listed along with a thumbnail view and short description. Click on the thumbnail for a larger image including information from the artist. Galleries can also be viewed in slideshow format by double clicking the first image and following the arrows above the image or choosing the slideshow icon above the image. Files can even be sent as e-cards.

tag(s): artists (84), origami (14), symmetry (26)

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)

This tool allows you to create any shape imaginable, then explore the possibilities! You are provided with triangles, hexagons, squares, and other shapes. Shapes can be enlarged, colored, shrunk, rotated, reflected, sliced, and glued together. Links are included to other NCTM resources that can be used with this tool. This site includes complete instructions for each of the tools.

tag(s): geometric shapes (134), rotation (3)

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 simple site offers hundreds of brain teaser problems along with answers. Categories include friends, math, logic, optical illusions, puzzles, and more. Some topics are NOT suitable for the classroom (such as dating.) Each brain teaser is fairly short and includes a link to click on the answer.
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tag(s): logic (161), optical illusions (10), problem solving (233), puzzles (149)

This activity provides the opportunity to explore experimental probabilities through simulation of a coin toss. In this activity you can view the results as a list, ratios and probabilities, and a table. In addition, the choice is available to view cumulative stats or not. The learners section of the site contains an explanation about probability and how it is used in science and medicine. The instructor portion has information on how the activity can be used in the classroom, links to standards, and similar resources.

tag(s): coins (6), percent (59), ratios (47)

This applet provides practice calculating the perimeter of random shapes. Create random shapes or the site will make them for you, another option allows for creating a shape based on a pre-determined area. An explanation of perimeter is provided on the learners portion of the site. The instructors part of the site provides links to standards, a printable with exploration questions, classroom discussion information, and links to similar resources.

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

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)

This site provides practice with vocabulary associated with angles. Common Core State Standards are addressed for fourth and seventh grades and geometry. The site is also appropriate for younger grades to use when learning and processing information about angles. The learner section has detailed explanations about different types of angles that can be used as a review when working with angles. The instructor area has correlations to standards, classroom information, links to similar resources, and a downloadable exploration questions sheet. The activity allows options of one or two transverals and scoring can be used or turned off.

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

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)

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 wonderful collection of interactive whiteboard activities is designed for students ages 3 to 18. Topics include Math, Literacy, Science, Physics, History, Art, Music, and Religion. Within each topic are categories to help narrow down search results. Activities contain a short summary, a link to the resource, and some have objectives. Because this is a British site, be aware that some vocabulary and content may be unfamiliar to American students, so preview carefully before using.

tag(s): descriptive writing (42), energy (133), environment (252), forces (37), grammar (137), literacy (122), literature (221), map skills (63), maps (220), novels (34), persuasive writing (58), poetry (193), preK (270), religions (95), rhythm (21), rivers (16), seasons (37), shakespeare (99), speeches (23), spelling (98), water cycle (22), weather (160)

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)

The primary purpose of this site is to offer information and techniques for quilters; however, they also offer 3 lesson plans that can be used in elementary, middle, or high school classrooms. The elementary lesson focuses on learning fractions through dividing up quilt squares including basic and advanced activities. The middle school lesson focuses on proportions. The high school activity is based upon polynomials. These would be fun activities for students to apply these math concepts through hands-on activities.

tag(s): angles (52), fractions (160), polynomials (20), symmetry (26)