1.1 Numeracy Websites
Discovery Education Puzzlemaker (puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com)
- It can make word search, criss-cross, double puzzles, fallen phrases, math squares, mazes, letter tiles, cryptograms, number blocks, and hidden message puzzles.
Math is Fun (www.mathsisfun.com)
- Instruction, interactive games, and worksheets. Geared toward basic math skills.
- There is also a discussion forum (scroll to the bottom of the page, find the link under “Have your Say on Maths”).
Strategies for Learning the Math Facts (PDF Document)(hanlonmath.com/pdfFiles/244StrategiesforFactsBH.pdf)
- This is a PDF file that has strategies for all of the categories (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- You can save the file on your computer and print it out.
Game Spinners (www.webeans.net/hutt/gamespinners.htm)
- Spinners are a fun manipulative for math activities and games. This website offers free printable spinner sheets in black and white and colour.
Fantastic Math Tips (www.angelfire.com/me/marmalade/mathtips.html)
- This website has some great “tricks” for mental and physical math that you can use to get your students excited about their special math powers.
- I particularly like the “11 Rule” and the “Finger Math: 9X Rule”
XP Math (www.xpmath.com)
- Math games, careers, discussion forum, Math eBooks
- Created by a middle-school math teacher
- The games are very clever, educational and fun
- Note: some games involve shooting (e.g. at shapes)
Mostly Math's Top 10 Study Tips (www.mostly-math.com/feat_10tips.shtml)
- A well-written list of study tips from a tutoring service
eWorkshop.on.ca (Ontario Ministry of Education and TFO) (www.eworkshop.on.ca/edu/core.cfm)
- Website created by Ontario Ministry of Education and TFO
- This is professional development for teachers
- Numeracy section has high-quality video and written lesson materials
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html)
- Literally, virtual manipulatives for different strands and grades
- Very high quality
- Good for ideas for actual manipulatives
1.2 Numeracy Books
I have most of these books at the KERC office. You are welcome to drop by and look at them.
Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally Third Canadian Edition with MyEducationLab
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John A. Van de Walle; Paperback; $112.07
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MyEducationLab is an online component at Pearson Education.
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This is the textbook book on elementary and middle school math teaching.
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It is written in a formal style and contains many references to research papers and other books.
About Teaching Mathematics: A K-8 Resource
- Marilyn Burns; Paperback; $55.21
- This is a good alternative to Van de Walle as it is less expensive and is written is a more casual style.
- Burns has many activites for teachers that really make you think.
- The book refers to the (American) NCTM Standards, though it is easy to math them to the Ontario Curriculum strands.
Math Matters: Understanding the Math You Teach, Grades K-8
- Suzanne H. Chapin, Art V. Johnson; Paperback; $46.26
- This book explains all of the big ideas in elementary and middle school mathematics
- If you want to "tune up" your understanding of the mathematics you are teaching, this is the book for you.
- Includes some teaching activities.
Making Sense: Teaching and Learning Mathematics with Understanding
- James Hiebert, et al; $33.54
- A collection of essays from a number of education authors that focus on the concept of "understanding" and what it means in the context of a mathematics learning community. The essays are deep and academic but worthwhile.
- This book could be used to promote teacher reflection and stimulate discussion within a professional learning community (PLC).
2 Chapter Two
There isn't a Chapter Two yet, so here are some puzzles in the meantime. Mail your solutions and your favourite math puzzles to Pete (pwyspianski@kerc.ca)
Consecutive Multiples of 7
The first two of three consecutive multiples of 7 sum to 2751. What are the three numbers?
(Inspired by a problem in the NCTM December 2009 Calendar)
The Banquet Hall Problem
A banquet hall has a 400-person capacity, including both diners and servers. If 1 server is needed for every 12 diners, what is the maximum number of diners that can be served?
(From the NCTM September 2010 Calendar)