Creative Teaching » Math

Best Math Link Ever!!!!

Jo — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:25:29 +0000

http://www.ixl.com/math/grade/eighth/

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Geometry Games, Glossaries, and Facts!

Jo — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:20:23 +0000

I want to share with you the best Web sites I have found for kids.

On the next geometry blog, I will share photos of handmade geometry books I am in the process of making, such as a circle book and a spinner book to teach other geometry facts.

Great geometry Web sites for teaching kids:

Diana Dell: Geometry Vocabulary – This is lesson one of my very favorite geometry site! Children can hear it, see it, and play geometry games!!
Diana Dell: Geometry Unit – A complete Geometry Unit!! (This a continuation of the first Web site!) You can’t go wrong with this site if you are teaching children geometry!!!!! Love it, love it, love it!
kidsnewsroom.org: Geometry – The examples “move” and teach children in a cool, fun, and easy way.
Jefferson County Schools (TN): Online Basic Skill Games – Geometry – Fun geometry games (teaches kids in a fun, fun way!!!!)
Kids Konnect: Geometry – This site gives you many other geometry sites for kids. It is a resource I will use!
Mrs. Glosser’s Math Goodies: Geometry and the Circle – Circle info
Coolmath4kids.com: – Geometry and Math Art
ThinkQuest: Interactive Mathematics Online: Geometry Glossary – Glossary of geometry terms
AAA Math at 321know.com: Types of Polygons based on Number of Sides – Learn, play, practice, and explore geometry facts
ThinkQuest: Geometry – Definitions and symbols
Learner.org: Geometry Definitions
Math League Press: Geometry – Great geometry reference

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Teaching Fractions: Tips, Tricks, and Great Web Sites!

Jo — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:12:09 +0000

I am writing this blog because my son has been frustrated between simplifying fractions and comparing fractions with uncommon denominators.

What is a fraction?

Answer: A fraction is a number that names part of a whole or group.

Money (the real kind) and candy (especially after Halloween) are great manipulatives for teaching fractions
Coolmath4kids.com: What are Fractions?
Dr. Mike’s Math Games for Kids: Fraction Dominoes
Kids Online Resources: Fraction Tutorial

What is a numerator?

Answer: A numerator is the top number in a fraction: (for example: 1/2)

What is a denominator?

Answer: A denominator is the bottom number in a fraction (for example: 1/2).

I remember denominator because downstairs and denominator both begin with the letter “d”.

How do you add fractions with common denominators?

Answer: Just add the numerators and the denominators stay the same! (for example: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6)

How do you subtract fractions with common denominators?

Answer: Just subtract the numerators and the denominators stay the same! (for example: 3/6 - 2/6 = 1/6)

Coolmath.com: Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators

How do you add or subtract fractions with uncommon denominators? (for example: 2/3 + 3/6 = ? or 2/2 – 3/6 = ?)

Answer: Before you can add or subtract fractions with uncommon denominators, you first have to change the fractions so that all fractions being added or subtracted have the same denominator. This can be a little tricky. The Web sites below are awesome:

How do you compare fractions?

Answer: Comparing fractions can be tricky. Check out the Web sites below for great examples and explanations:

How do you simplify or reduce fractions?

Answer: A simplest form of a fraction is a fraction where the only common factor of the numerator and the denominator is 1.

I like to explain to children that numerators and denominators are like sisters and brothers—they need to be treated “the same”. Whatever you give to one, you must give the exact same to the other or “it wouldn’t be fair”.
For example, if you divide the numerator by 3, then you must divide the denominator by 3. If you don’t treat the numerators and denominators the same when reducing them, it would be like giving one sister two cookies and the other sister one cookie. It just would not be fair.
The Web site below gives great explanations and examples of how to reduce or simplify fractions:
- Coolmath.com: Simplifying Fractions

How do you multiply fractions?

Answer: Just multiply the numerators and denominators of the fractions and reduce the answer to its simplest form if needed.

How do you divide fractions?

Answer: Just multiply the numerators and denominators AFTER flipping the second fraction and then reduce to simplest form if needed.

Coolmath.com: Dividing Fractions

What are equivalent fractions?

Answer: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same number (for example: 1/4 = 3/12).

What are mixed numbers?

Answer: A mixed number is a number that combines whole number and a fraction (for example: 2 5/6).

What are improper fractions?

Answer: An improper fraction is when the numerator is bigger than the denominator; making the number larger than one (for example: 12/3).

Coolmath.com: Improper Fractions

No wonder children are confused when it comes to fractions; you get them mixed, have to simplify them, reduce them, and add, subtract, multiply, and divide them…and that’s only the beginning. Yikes!!!!

I’ll cover how to change fractions into decimals and percentages in another blog.

I hope this information helps the children you are teaching as it has for my son.

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The Standing-in-Line Game

Jo — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:21:51 +0000

It seems like my first graders and I were always standing in line: going to the bathroom, waiting for specials (PE, art, music, etc.), going to lunch, getting our pictures taken, and on and on and on. So I invented games to play that my children loved and kept them well-behaved while standing in line.

For example, I used spelling games (usually the words on our spelling list or in our unit). I would say something like, “I’m thinking of a word that is spelled ‘w-o-u-l-d’. Who knows the word?”

For a phonics game I would say, “Which letter says, ‘wa-wa-wa?’”

If a child knew the answer, he/she would raise his/her hand and quietly say the answer. I would carry little stickers with me everywhere and give the child with the right answer a sticker on the forehead, hand or arm.

If a child yelled out an answer or didn’t raise his/her hand to be called on, he/she was not a winner at that particular moment. However, I always gave children who made mistakes opportunities to try again for a sticker.

I would also ask math, science and social studies questions with our standing-in-line game. In addition, I tweaked this game by asking the children, “I wonder who can stand in line the neatest, quietest, and standing up the tallest?” or “I wonder if the boys or girls can do a better job standing in line?”

I would always use a child who was doing a great job following directions as an example. I would say, “I like the way (child’s name) is standing so still and patiently in line. Great job (child’s name)!”

This game has worked for me time and again. Not only did my class always get compliments for their good behavior in line, but it was also a great way to review material that we were learning in class.

I hope this game works as well for you as it did for me!

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My Favorite “Math Games” Sites

Jo — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:45:48 +0000

In the last few days a number of people have asked me how I teach 4th- and 5th-grade math. Since there is a lot of material to cover with these questions, I’ll start by listing some of my favorite “math games” Web sites, which cover a variety of math skills and games. My son has enjoyed them, and other children that I have referred these sites to say that they are “Major cool”.

It makes me simply giddy when children are learning and having fun. Hope the sites help. More math info will be coming soon!

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Best Math Link Ever!!!! http://www.ixl.com/math/grade/eighth/...
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