Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

What did one math book say to the other? Don't bother me I've got my own problems! Are you looking for more bad jokes like this for your math class or perhaps a staff presentation? This site is for you! Choose from over 40 math jokes listed on this site, or send in your own. Who says math teachers can't be funny?

tag(s): riddles (15)

The goal of this site is to provide the finest quality paper-based teaching materials to teachers and parents around the world. Myriads of options are available to create worksheets in Math, English, Geography, Puzzles, and Miscellaneous. Just choose a subject, then a topic, and choose from options offered to create your own worksheet that can be printed in pdf form. This allows the worksheet to be shown clearly on interactive whiteboards eliminating the need to print each creation. Although it was created for teachers, a more useful purpose may be for students to create their own worksheets to share with other students or for self-practice.

tag(s): printables (36), puzzles (149), worksheets (69)

This easy to use applet helps students develop the very important concept of 10 within the context of a 10's frame. Activities include identifying the number of objects, building the given number of objects, filling the 10's frame with missing objects, and adding items. To the right of the applet are several different lessons that can also be used to build the concept of 10.

tag(s): counting (60), number sense (69), numbers (120)

The object of this site is to put the picture back together by sliding pieces around. If you complete a medium or hard puzzle, you can enter the Sliders Hall of Fame. Three levels of difficulty are offered through 6 different puzzles, suggestions for number of moves to complete the puzzle are offered.

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

How many tries will it take to match all the pairs in this Concentration-style game? No directions are needed for even the smallest players, just click on 2 squares to find a match. If there isn't a match, remember what is behind each of the squares to try again.

tag(s): matching (8), puzzles (149)

Deceptively simple, this game offers the opportunity for students to test their observation skills. Within the big picture, try to find the small piece shown to one side. There are two levels of difficulty for those wanting to test their skills further. When stuck, click on the help button to be shown the missing piece. Build your visual discrimination skills!

tag(s): logic (161), puzzles (149)

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 site offers a vast amount of resources for elementary math teachers. Activities are described within the site and also available for PDF download. The site was originally intended as a digital storage place for the creator's resources used in consulting work and evolved into a place to share math resources with other teachers. Included topics are numbers, geometry, and measurement/data. After choosing a topic, activities are divided by grade level. Be sure to look at other grade levels for activities that can be modified for your teaching situation. Also available on the site is extensive information about Math Journals (warning - their math journals are for sale on the site; however, information to make and use your own is free). Other topics include math games, centers, projects, mental math, and resources - including some for interactive whiteboards.
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tag(s): data (151), geometric shapes (134), journals (15), measurement (122), mental math (19), rhymes (22)

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)

This site provides opportunities for explorations with patterns using shapes, letters and numbers. There are three different difficulty levels included. Although the activities appear to be simple, the patterns require some thought on the part of the user. The instructor tab includes links to standards, textbook alignment, related resources and possible questions that might arise in the classroom. Explorations questions are included that can be downloaded and used in the classroom.

tag(s): critical thinking (127), logic (161), patterns (61), problem solving (233)

This site provides practice in converting from base 10 to other values up to base 16. Three clocks are displayed and options are provided for choosing the value used on the clocks. Upon entering the choice, the hands on the clock turn to show the appropriate representation in the chosen base. The learner section provides information on base number systems and how they have been used in the past. The instructor section provides links to standards, place value in the curriculum, possible issues that may arise in the classroom and links to additional resources including an activity sheet.

tag(s): base ten (5), number sense (69)

This site provides students the opportunity to visually relate fractions within a square or circle to the representation of the same fraction on a number line. The activity begins with empty shapes, with the pointer pointing to zero. As the desired sections are colored, the pointer moves along the number line corresponding to the fraction of the shape that bas been colored. The instructor area of the website provides information on how the activity corresponds within the math curriculum, links to standards, classroom preparation and links to related resources.

tag(s): estimation (33), fractions (160), number lines (33), numbers (120)

This site provides great practice with linear functions in the format of y=m*x+b. Integers between 0 and 10 are available for use. The activity can be used with or without scoring. The learner section provides a detailed explanation and examples on how to use the function machine. The instructor sections includes information on how to use the site in the classroom, links to standards and related resources. Be sure to check out the downloadable exploration questions that can be used in the classroom.

tag(s): functions (52), logic (161), patterns (61), problem solving (233)

This site provides good practice with mixtures to create percent problems through 4 different activities. Activities include exploration, unknown pile, unknown percent, or unknown total. The site includes sections for both learners and instructors. The learners section explains how mixtures are used in the real world and the instructor section provides curriculum and standards alignments, classroom suggestions, and links to related resources. This site would also work well in a chemistry class.

tag(s): percent (59)

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 site provides practice with linear functions with this programmable function machine. After entering a value for x, the value of y is displayed. Based on the value of y, students then will determine the function (add, subtract, or multiply) and the value needed using integers from -10 to +10. Teacher information includes standards, an exploration worksheet, classroom suggestions and links to similar resources.

tag(s): equations (119), functions (52), patterns (61)

BrainBashers offers many different types of puzzles, riddles, brain teasers, and optical illusions. The site is updated daily so new material is always readily available. Each time you open the site, find a new fun fact along with an odd word and its definition. The site is organized into puzzles, games, illusions, fun stuff, and logic games. Sudoku puzzles of different difficulty levels are also available. The link for teachers includes puzzles for schools and useful pages including optical illusions, memory tests, and logic puzzles.
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tag(s): logic (161), problem solving (233), puzzles (149), riddles (15)

Here's every parent or teacher's dream: a site that helps you make your own puzzles, word games, and math puzzlers. There is a selection of almost a dozen different formats, each of which can be customized to meet your specific needs. Choose the puzzle type you want from the drop-down menu. Both adults and learners can create games!

tag(s): crosswords (19), puzzles (149)