335 mind-stretchers results | sort by:

XKCD - XKCD
Grades
8 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): comics and cartoons (55), humor (15)
In the Classroom
Add humor to your science, math, language, and current events classes to lighten the mood! Spice up professional presentations with humor, and keep your audience involved. Share the direct URL to any comic that relates to your curriculum or specific topics. Encourage students to create comics with your current content. Have students use one of the tools and ideas included in this collection. Keep your class website humorous with a few comics from XKCD.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Math Puzzles - Transum
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): crosswords (19), logic (161), problem solving (231)
In the Classroom
Share the math puzzles on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use as a math center or when you have an extra 5-10 minutes of time. Create a link to the puzzles on classroom computers or your class website. This is a great find for use with gifted students to practice logic and problem-solving skills. If you are beginning the process of integrating technology, have students create blogs to explain their problem solving process and understanding using Webnode, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nautilus - Nautilus
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): careers (141), expository writing (31), scientists (63), writing prompts (61)
In the Classroom
Share these articles as part of a broad discussion of the role of science in our world, such as during a unit on scientists or careers. Share Nautilus with your gifted or science-focused students to spark interests in scientific fields that are new to them. Assign gifted students to select an article and research it further when they have tested out of regular curriculum. They can share their discoveries as a multimedia presentation or write a blog post about them. Use articles from the magazine as fodder for class debates in English class or pull excerpts to use as writing prompts for informational or expository writing. The reading levels are high school and up, so be sure to partner weaker readers with a more capable reader if using this for class assignments. Check specific reading levels of an article by pasting its url into the Juicy Studio Readability Test, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kodable - Surfscore, Inc
Grades
K to 4This site includes advertising.
tag(s): coding (85), computational thinking (40), computers (108), DAT device agnostic tool (146), engineering (127), logic (161), problem solving (231), STEM (290)
In the Classroom
Use this tool to learn basic coding skills. Students will quickly catch on to this program when allowed to experiment while viewing their results. Kodable is great for differentiating for students with different abilities and learning styles. Set Kodable up as a learning center and have students work in pairs to complete the challenges.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Inspirograph - Nathan Friend
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): angles (52), critical thinking (123), gifted (66), problem solving (231)
In the Classroom
Use Inspirograph to create fascinating art and to explore math concepts. Have students experiment with different gear sizes (both fixed and rotating) and explain changes. Design a table for students to map out findings such as number of points made when using different gear sizes. Find patterns between the fixed circle sizes and the number of points generated. Work collaboratively with other groups of students to create and answer questions about spirograph designs. Identify the various shapes created.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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DigiPuzzle - digipuzzle.net
Grades
K to 9tag(s): animals (295), cities (17), logic (161), problem solving (231), puzzles (148), pyramids (20)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an entertaining logic and problem solving center either on classroom computers or your interactive whiteboard or projector. Embed your own personalized puzzle on your classroom website to encourage students to visit often. Use DigiPuzzles as an interesting way to introduce topics in your classroom such as animals or famous locations around the world.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Annenberg Learner - The Annenberg Foundation
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): art history (99), butterflies (13), conversions (37), critical thinking (123), dna (43), earth (184), environment (246), geometric shapes (135), immigrants (34), medieval (33), native americans (108), patterns (62), periodic table (46), renaissance (38), rocks (35), russia (35), south africa (13), spelling (98), statistics (120), volcanoes (54), weather (160)
In the Classroom
In your classroom, explore the interactives available to enhance your lessons. Use the lesson plan library to add a new twist to your subject matter. Organize a professional study of your area of concentration for your department or grade level.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Corbettmaths - Mr. Corbett
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): addition (129), angles (52), charts and graphs (171), coordinates (15), decimals (85), division (98), equations (119), estimation (33), fractions (161), geometric shapes (135), inequalities (25), mean (19), measurement (123), median (16), mode (13), multiplication (122), probability (99), problem solving (231), pythagorean theorem (19), quadratics (27), sequences (12), square roots (15), subtraction (110), time (91), transformations (12), volume (34)
In the Classroom
Use printables and worksheets from Corbettmath for homework, review, and reinforcement of any math concept. View videos together and have students complete practice questions. Create a link to YouTube videos on your class website or blog for students to view at home. Use this site to differentiate for students of all levels. Share this site as a way to review before tests.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mathsticks - John Duffty
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): addition (129), division (98), fractions (161), money (114), multiplication (122), numbers (120), percent (59), place value (34), preK (269), probability (99), problem solving (231), puzzles (148), roman numerals (6), subtraction (110), time (91)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save Mathsticks as a resource for math activities. Download and laminate games for use in math centers. Create take-home bags for students to practice and play games at home. Be sure to check out the "Popular Now" link for activities other users have recently downloaded.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jessica's Pattern Block Templates - Jessica Brown
Grades
K to 4tag(s): geometric shapes (135), manipulatives (9), patterns (62), problem solving (231)
In the Classroom
Liven up your math centers with the many different templates found on the site. Print any template on cardstock and laminate for long-time use. Create take-home bags for students to work with pattern blocks at home. Share a link to this site on your class website for use at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Form Time Ideas - Jonathan Hall
Grades
5 to 9tag(s): grammar review (31), literacy (121), news (228), numbers (120), riddles (16), substitutes (25), vocabulary (238)
In the Classroom
Form Time Ideas is perfect for daily review and bell work as students arrive in class or as a quick review at the end of class. Print out different pages for use during quiet times or send home for absentee students to complete. This site is excellent for enrichment. Include it on your class web page for students to access both in and out of class. Substitutes will love the handy ideas on this site!Comments
AWESOME RESOURCE!Patricia, NJ, Grades: 6 - 12
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Wall Street Survivor - Greg Isenberg and Rory Olson
Grades
8 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): business (52), financial literacy (91), money (114)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Share articles on personal finance, investing, and more. Challenge students (or groups) to create their own Stock Market Leagues to learn about investing and trading. Use Wall Street Survivor as an after-school program for students to learn about finances and investing. Share this link on your class website for students to explore on their own. Your math-savvy gifted students and finance aficionados will love this one.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dandy Candies - Dan Meyer
Grades
5 to 9tag(s): area (53), measurement (123), perimeter (20), problem solving (231), volume (34)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site (and video clip) on your interactive whiteboard or projector during units on measurement, volume, and perimeter. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Use this site as the starting point for individual or group projects. Have students make concrete representations of candy and packaging to demonstrate responses. Before solving this activity, create a quick poll using Survey Anyplace, reviewed here, to see how much students know. Extend the challenge by having students write packaging/measurement challenges for their classmates to solve, perhaps for a product they especially like!Comments
Can't wait to use this for morning meeting! Diane will be so proud of me!Patricia, NJ, Grades: 6 - 12
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The Free Dictionary - Farlex, Inc
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): dictionaries (48), quotations (18), thesaurus (22), vocabulary development (94), word choice (14)
In the Classroom
Set this site as the home page on classroom computers for students to read and find interesting articles and games. Create an account to customize the page to display information to suit class needs. Use information found on this site for quotes, interesting trivia, and much more. Display on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) and discuss articles and information with your class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Greg Tang Math Games - Greg Tang
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): addition (129), calendars (37), division (98), fractions (161), logic (161), multiplication (122), subtraction (110), time (91), volume (34)
In the Classroom
Although the games are easy to play, directions are not always intuitive. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector to show how games work and how to avoid the advertising links. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Share a link on your class website or blog for students to play at home. This is a great site to keep math skills fresh during the summer months.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Progressions Documents for the Common Core Math Standards - Achieve the Core
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): commoncore (74)
In the Classroom
Strengthen your teaching of Common Core mathematics. Having an understanding of the knowledge students enter with or without, leads to better preparation for where the students will explore later. Use this as an individual study or even as a professional learning group study with your grade level and department.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Visual Patterns - visualpatterns.org
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): equations (119), geometric shapes (135), patterns (62), problem solving (231)
In the Classroom
Introduce the concept of visual patterns on an interactive whiteboard or projector with the whole group. Give the practice problem and discover ways to solve while using pictures, words, and equations. Break into small groups and give a challenge. Assign individually for challenges. Have students create their own visual pattern while describing the geometrical terms the pattern employs. Add to students' math portfolios.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Estimation 180 - CC-BY-NC-SA
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): estimation (33), number sense (70), problem solving (231)
In the Classroom
In your classroom begin developing students' number sense immediately. Share on an interactive whiteboard or projector and show how to solve. Assign for homework the day before or even at the beginning of each class. Have students track their errors and see how it improves. Be sure to reflect and measure growth. Join the blog and add comments, questions, or suggestions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Online Math Learning - OnlineMathLearning.com
Grades
1 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): parents (57), video (264), worksheets (69)
In the Classroom
OnLineMathLearning is a nice supplement to your classroom. Use the videos on your interactive whiteboard to begin instruction. Differentiate your math instruction by student need and assign individually. Use the worksheets, games, and activities for extra practice and reinforcement. Allow students to see the ideas listed before they start their science fair projects. Recommend this website to parents so they can understand the "new way" of doing math. Be sure to list as a resource for extra practice on your class website. Keep the videos on this site in mind for using as models when assigning students to make their own videos. Be sure to include in your math parent night. Use as enrichment for your advanced students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mathigon - The Mathematics Education Project
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): charts and graphs (171), fractions (161), geometric shapes (135), origami (15), probability (99), problem solving (231), tangrams (8)
In the Classroom
If you are a math teacher at any level, this is a MUST-SEE (and share) site. Take the time to explore it for specific sections connected to your curriculum concepts. Students in a BYOD classroom can explore interactives on this mobile-friendly site. Mathigon is perfect for use on interactive whiteboards, projector, and classroom computers. Use Mathigon activities to excite and motivate math students. Some activities require reading so you may need to partner your weaker readers with a buddy. Create a link to games and activities on your class website or blog for students to explore at home. Use Mathigon with gifted learners to extend your current math curriculum.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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