Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Use MapCrunch to go to places in the world without ever leaving the classroom. Explore the world's geography and cultures easily. View detailed "Google Street View" snapshots of towns, cities, and areas all over the globe. Randomly tour spots on the earth or choose a tour by continent. Use the navigation buttons to zoom in or out or shift the MapCrunch window to face a different direction. Click on the checkbox to use the slideshow feature. Share by using a link, through Facebook, or email.

tag(s): maps (224)

Want to enhance the viewer experiences and discussions around the YouTube videos you embed? Enter the URL of your You Tube video to add DVD-like controls without altering the original content. Use EmbedPlus to add features such as scene skipping, movable zoom, third party annotations, slow motion on-demand, and instant replay. Set start time and scene markers if desired. Add your annotations during this set up process. When done, click get Code to either copy a new URL for your video or obtain an embed code to place in a blog, wiki, or site to share with others.

tag(s): movies (55), video (267)

Are you continually looking for math center ideas? As the title suggests, this site provides a lengthy list of simple math centers. The ideas could easily be tailored to grade level and ability as needed. The site is divided up by math strands of Numbers and Equations, Geometry, Patterns, and Measurement.

tag(s): measurement (123), numbers (121), patterns (61)

This site offers many links to information about Snowflake Bentley and other resources for studying snow crystals. Wilson (Snowflake) A. Bentley is credited with the discovery that no two snowflakes are alike. His research and studies on snowflakes were conducted in the small Vermont town of Jericho. Snowflake pioneered the science of photographing snow crystals by attaching a microscope to his camera. The most in-depth section of the site offers resources to learn more about snowflakes such as an educational unit on snowflakes, computer recreations of snowflakes and math sites studying patterns and symmetry.

tag(s): pioneers (9), snow (18)

This site provides a simple activity to practice rounding whole numbers based on a tie-in to Jan Brett's book, Comet's Nine Lives. There is a simple explanation of rounding before beginning the game. Each seashell contains a 2 digit number with 2 choices for the correct answer. If the correct answer is chosen, a sand dollar is earned, an incorrect response gently prompts the player to try again.

tag(s): estimation (33), rounding (8)

Madlibs have come a long way since 1953 when they were invented. This site has an online Madlib creator you can use in many different ways. It's easy to access, and there is no registration needed. Just click on "create a new madlib" and you'll be presented with a template. There is a sample story so you get the idea of how to create one. You will also get to put in tags so you can find your Madlibber again. The site also lists current madlibs that others have created. Beware of some of the content of the already created madlibs, if you intend to allow students to use this site independently.

This site provides excellent practice with different Math strands. Topics include numbers (place value, number lines, estimation), algebra, addition/subtraction, problem solving, and more. After choosing a topic, various choices are offered. Key vocabulary is presented along with a short video explanation of the topic. In addition to the video, there is an option to test your own ability. Each topic can also be printed to use in the classroom and there is a link to related "jams" Be sure to check out the "Jams" sure to excite your students to learn new skills in a musical manner.

tag(s): problem solving (234)

This site provides the opportunity to explore Venn Diagrams through the use of shapes. Different ways to create the diagrams are provided by choosing one or two circles and choices of circle placement. With the "Guess the Rule" option, players try to find the rule based on shapes that are allowed into the design. The learner area provides a background on Venn diagrams and how they might be used in everyday living. The instructor area provides printable exploration questions, links to standards, classroom preparation tips, and links to similar resources.

tag(s): logic (161), problem solving (234)

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 activity allows a student to practice answering questions with estimation. The site offers the options of choosing to practice estimating addition, multiplication, and percentage problems. Options include setting different time limits, how close the estimation should be (close, really close, or almost perfect) and difficulty level. Be sure to check out the instructor section which provides a printable with exploration questions, links to standards, ideas for classroom use, and links to similar resources.

tag(s): estimation (33), test prep (69)

This site offers practice in estimating skills through different visual comparisons. Problems are available in counting, length and area. Two comparisons are shown and then selection will be made based on the question posed with the problem. Hints are available and there are two different levels of difficulty available. Tabs are also included with information for the learner, activity help, and information for instructors. Be sure to check out the information for instructors which include suggestions on how to use in the classroom, an activity sheet, links to standards, and other similar resources.

tag(s): estimation (33), problem solving (234), test prep (69)

This activity works well for explorations with clock (modular) arithmetic. The clock can be adjusted from 2 to 24 hours, then the number of elapsed hours can be entered to determine the current time. Be sure to check out the instructor tab which provides a link to a student worksheet, indicates alignment to some state standards, suggested classroom uses, and offers similar resources.

tag(s): time (91)

This site offers practice on computation of whole integers that can be varied by levels. Players select a time limit, difficulty level and types of problems. There are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division challenges. Scores are automatically recorded and can be found at the end of each game.

tag(s): addition (128), division (97), multiplication (121), subtraction (109), test prep (69), vision (42)

Check out this highly interactive site that offers a wealth of math activities, printables, and more for elementary students of all ages. Students will enjoy the many different Math games such as Fact Worms (basic facts), A Lucky Place (place value), and Jelly Golf (fractions). Main topics include: Counting & Cardinality, Number & Operations, Operations & Algebraic Thinking, Measurement & Data, and Geometry. Interactives may be used without registering on the site; however, registration allows scores to be compiled and posted against other players. Be sure to check out the interactives such as Venn Diagrams as well as printables, teacher's guides, articles and seasonal resources. Activities have also been matched up to North Carolina Mathematics Standards.

tag(s): fractions (160), money (114), numbers (121), preK (286), puzzles (149)

Tripline is a great visual for putting stories on a map. It was built to work with Google Maps, then be enhanced by each individual to fit their needs. What a fabulous way to integrate literature and geography, history and geography, or many other subject areas. To create a trip, type in a starting point and select it from a suggested list of matching places. Add places to your trip in the same way, places can be rearranged in any order. From this list, a map will be created showing the itinerary. Push play and the map comes to life, stopping at each creation point. To further enhance the experience, pictures can be uploaded that will show as icons as each stop is reached. Maps can be shared with others via email, web link, or Facebook. To create a new trip, you must register at the site. Registration requires a username, password, and valid email address.

tag(s): maps (224)

Designed by an artist, this site offers a number of free toy patterns to print out and put together. Students can choose toys that spin and fly as well as learning toys that teach math concepts and problem solving. Also featured are an array of toy patterns organized by themes as well as miniature toys. An option at the bottom of the pattern page allows the directions to be translated into 6 other languages. The simplicity of the patterns on the site allows students to use their creativity and individuality.

tag(s): patterns (61)

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 applet provides great opportunities to explore experimental and theoretical probabilities by changing the area of the colored regions of the circle. When a section is added it reduces the other sections by an equal amount in order to add the new sector. When this occurs, the probability that that particular color will be landed on will change. The number of sections of the circle can be changed from 1 to 12, as each spin is made, the color is recorded along with the percentage of time each color has appeared.

Be sure to visit the learner section of the site which contains a nice description of probability and how it is used in the real world. The instructor section also has a lot of valuable information including links to standards and textbooks, classroom information, and related resources. In addition, there is a link to a printable sheet of exploration questions to be used with the site.

tag(s): probability (99), statistics (121)

This site provides practice with creating and exploring tessellations. Choices are provided to use triangles, rectangles, or hexagons. Once a shape is chosen, the corner can be stretched to create a new shape. Click a button and that shape is converted into a tessellation in front of your eyes! Choices are also provided for different colors within the shapes to enable visualization of how the pattern is created.

The learner portion of the site provides a written explanation of tessellations and information on how they are found in the real world. Be sure to visit the instructor link on the website for information on classroom use, links to standards, links to similar resources and to print an exploration questions worksheet.