| Books, packets, & videos | Newsletters and Journals | Manipulatives & Calculator Stuff | Websites |
| Software and Resources on CD | Compiled by Math 503 students, Spring 2002 ~ James Olsen Instructor | ||
Title: How to Enrich Geometry Using String Designs
Author: Victoria Pohl
Publisher: The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Publishing date: 1986
Location/URL: This book can be order, ISBN 0-87353-227-9
Brief description: This book an activity book used for high school geometry students. Some of the drawings could be used with junior high school students. Students are given to the opportunity to draw the different shapes using string to form 3-D shapes. I have used it as an additional project during the study of polygons (pentagon and hexagon) as well as an introduction of tetrahedrons.
Title: A Watched Cup Never Cools
Author: Ellen Kamischke
Publisher: Key Curriculum Press
Publishing Date: 1999
Location: Key Curriculum Press Catalog
Brief Description: This book is for pre-calc and calculus courses. It is a collection of activities and writing prompts that can be used in the two classes. These lab activities can be used in a variety of ways ranging from introduction to enrichment to assessment. The book has black-line masters that can be used directly or that can be modified to the particular class. Along with the master copies, it has excellent teacher notes on each activity.
Title: Mathematics Assessment: A Practical Handbook
Author: NCTM and William S. Bush and Anja S. Greer
Publisher: NCTM, Inc.
Publishing Date: 1999
Location: NCTM Website www.nctm.org
Brief Description: This is a good book for high school teachers, no matter what class they teach. The book is full of different activities and performance assessments that can be used in a variety of classes. Along with the pre-made activities, the book goes into a lot of detail about how to make your own performance assessments and rubrics.
Title: A Collection of Performance Tasks and Rubrics: High School Mathematics
Author: Charlotte Danielson and Elizabeth Marquez
Publisher: Eye on Education, Inc.
Publishing Date: 1998
Location: www.amazon.com
Brief Description: This book is another that is good for all high school teachers. This book talks about creating your own performance tasks and rubrics as well as giving several examples. For any teacher that is planning on using performance activities this is a good book to study and have. It really helps get you started with performance activities and the sample activities are great for students from a variety of levels.
Title: Get It Together: Math Problems for Groups
Author: Tim Erickson
Publisher: Equals
Publishing date: 1989
Location: This book can be order, ISBN 0-912511-53-2
Brief description: This book is great to use with students from 4-12 grade. The book is set up covering a wide range of topic in which students work in groups in order to figure out a problem. Each group will be given a group of clues in order to help them figure out the problem. The trick is that some of the clues are irrelevant and will not help them in any way. I began the year using several of the activities from this book to teach my students what I expected out of them during group work. The activities had a limit of 4-6 clues so all the students were able to do the project and were given the chance to work with several of their classmates over a short amount of time.
Title: Calculus Mysteries and Thrillers
Author: R. Grant Woods
Publisher: Mathematical Assoc. of America
Publishing date: 1998
Location/URL:
Brief description: This book consists of eleven calculus “research projects” embedded in short stories. Each project is based on some part of the curriculum of the “standard” 2 semester calculus course on the differentiation and integration of functions. The problems are challenging and interesting.
Title: Understanding Taxes: High School Program
Author: U.S Internal Revenue Service
Publisher: Department of the Treasury: Internal Revenue Service; Washington, D.C. 20224
Publishing date: Revised 1999
Location/ URL: Iowa, 210 Walnut St., Stop 30-2, Des Moines, IA, 50309-2109 or call 1 (800) 829-1040 ext. 4870
Brief description: This is an introduction to federal taxes. Included is a video, computer software and twelve complete lesson plans with worksheets. The computer software leads students through the process of completing the tax, form, and is IBM or iMac compatible. All of the information is free to all teachers.
Title: Takin’ Care of Business
Author: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Publisher: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants: Academic and Career Development
Publishing date: 2000
Location/ URL: AICPA, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036-8775
Brief description: Free information on different career paths that can be taken in mathematics. This film informs students about careers in Nike, Home Depot, Wall Street, and the New York Jets. Also enclosed is worksheet to follow the film. Also enclosed is a poster to increase student interest.
Title: The Only Math Book You’ll Ever Need
Author: Stanley Kogelman, Ph.D. and Barbara R. Heller
Publisher: Facts on File Publications
Publishing date: 1986
Location/URL: ISBN # 0-87196-846-0 (Library in Congress Catalogue)
Brief description: This book is a great real-world application book with step-by-step problem solving strategies. If you teach high school students or special education students who need to learn functional skills, this book is great! It teaches step-by-step solutions to every day math problems. It is filled with concrete examples on how to balance your checkbook, determine which credit card offers the best terms, how to construct a frame to fit a picture properly, how to convert foreign currency, calculate the proper amount to tip, figuring out percentages of your income you’re able to save in a year, and many more. Thousands of well-educated, intelligent adults end up making the wrong choices because they cannot – or will not – solve problems that involve numbers. This book is an easy-to-use, practical, and reassuring guide designed to help you make the right choices.
Title: Puddle Questions, Assessing Mathematical Thinking Grade 7
Author: Nancy Tune and Joan Westley
Publisher: Creative Publications
Publishing date: 1995
Location/URL: I have a copy of it and it can be order through almost any catalog.
Brief description: This book is for the 7th grade, but there are books for grades 1-8. There are eight investigations in this book that encourage students to explore different areas. It is very rich in problem solving and helps apply math to a real life example. The book gives information to use for class discussions and follow-up along with sample solutions to the problems.
Title: Geometric Playthings
Author: Jean & Kent Pedersen
Publisher: Dale Seymour Publications
Publishing date: 1973
Location/URL: Dale Seymour Publications P.O. Box 10888 Palo Alto, Ca. 94303
Brief description: This consumable contains mathematical models of Moebius Strips, flexagons, and polyhedra. This is a great “hands-on” book for those students to make and see these geometric shapes.
Title: Problems of the Week
Author: Lyle fisher & William Medigovich
Publisher: Dale Seymour Publications
Publishing date: 1981
Location/URL: Dale Seymour Publications – address above
Brief description: This book contains 30 problems of the week that can be used to teach problem solving, logical thinking, and be fun at the same time. Included are alternate problems and extension problems for each of the weeks. Several problems can make introductions to topics before they are covered.
Title: Perimeter and Area (Middle Grades 5-8)
Author: Deborah C. Gutman and Carol Thornton
Publisher: Learning Resources, Inc.
Publishing date: 1998
Location/URL: ISBN #1-56911-893-0
Brief description: This book includes many activities that make use of hands-on manipulatives and technology. Students are encouraged to discover the formulas and reasoning behind the building blocks of measurement, estimating, mathematical reasoning, communication, and the use of calculators and computers. These activities also promote the application of measurement formulas and the building of reasoning skills. All tasks are presented in an exciting, real-life style. Fun games and challenges are also included to attract individual learners.
Title: Active Arithmetic and Algebra Activities for Pre-Algebra and Beginning Algebra
Author: Judy Jones
Publisher: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company
Publishing date: 1999
Location/URL: Thomson Learning Distribution Center, 7625 Empire Drive, Florence, KY 41042
Brief description: Have you ever wondered when you might use anything that you’ve learned in algebra? The activities in this manual, to be worked in teams or with partners, are designed to help you apply your knowledge of arithmetic and algebra as useful tools in all aspects of your life. In one activity, for example, you will learn to make a scale drawing of a room to help calculate the area of the walls before buying paint. In another activity, you will calculate the volume of food containers to learn how much they hold. In yet another activity, you will record real world data that has been collected and entered into a TI graphing calculator and a Calculator-Based Ranger (portable sonic motion detector). All of the activities have been streamlined with the NCTM standards and are meant to be applicable and useful to all students outside of the classroom and in the real world of ‘life.’
Title: CBL 2 Math Package
Author: Texas Instruments
Publisher: Texas Instruments
Publishing date:
Location/URL:
Brief description: This is a lab pack that includes the Calculator Based Laboratory (CBL 2), Pressure Sensor, Microphone, Motion Detector, pH Sensor, Student force Sensor, and Real-world math with the CBL book. I do not have this, but hope to get it this summer with a grant. This would be a great way to make lessons more meaningful by using graphs that you generate your self.
Title: Problem Solver Projects
Author: David C. Yeager
Publisher: Creative Publications
Publishing date: 1996
Location: I have a copy of it and it can be ordered through most math catalogs.
Brief description: “Problem Solver Projects is a collection of ten multidisciplinary and five skill-based group activities that emphasize active learning and collaboration. These activities provide students with an opportunity to plan, develop, create, and present projects with a variety of peer groups, enabling students to improve not only academic but also interpersonal skills.”
Title: Mathematics Quilts: No Sewing Required!
Author: Diana Venters and Elaine Krajenke Ellison
Publisher: Key Curriculum Press
Publishing date: 1999
Location/URL: P.O. Box 2304, Berkley, CA 94702
Brief description: This book is a great supplement for algebra and geometry classes. The patterns and mathematics of topics such as the Pythagorean Theorem, golden ratio, Fibonacci sequence, and tetrominoes are explored. Each section lists a series of activities that lead students through the concepts related to the design and also lists clear instructions as to the completion of the mathematical quilt design.
Title: United We Solve
Author: Tim Erickson
Publisher: eeps Media
Publishing date: 1996
Location/URL: 5269 Miles Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618-1044
Brief description: A collection of math problems that are solved using cooperative learning. Each group member is given a clue and communicates that information to the group to help solve the problem. Some of the topics include spatial visualization, patterns, and discrete mathematics.
Title: Just for the Fun of It! A Collection of AIMS Mathematics Investigations
Author: Dave Youngs and Michelle Youngs
Publisher: AIMS Education Foundation
Publishing date: 1999
Location/URL: P.O. Box 8120, Fresno, CA 93747-8120
Brief description: This book is a collection of AIMS mathematics investigations. The activities are “recreational explorations” that are open-ended and involve problem-solving, communication, and reasoning skills. This publication is geared for middle school students.
Title: Master Your Future
Author: MasterCard International
Publisher: MasterCard International Incorporated
Publishing date: 1999
Location: call: 1-800- MC4-YOUTH
Brief Description: Master Your Future is a three-part program-covering budget, and credit. The video component features profiles of actual students coping with real-life money management issues, and it sets the stage for more in-depth classroom discussion. The teacher’s guide works in conjunction with the video, offering essential background information, discussion questions, in-class exercises, and student activities. The guide also presents detailed answers to the eight reproducible worksheets provided, which are designed to test and reinforce student knowledge of basic financial concepts. There is also a double-sided classroom poster that highlights vital terms and tips. All the information is free from master card.
Title: Next Generation: Insuring Your Future
Author: Life and Health Insurance for Education
Publishing date: Life and Health Insurance for Education
Publishing date: 1998
Location/ URL: 1922 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 or call 1 (800) LIFE- 777
Brief description: This is a free packet that is given to teacher to help explain life and health insurance calculations. The packet includes a video, designed to stimulate in-class discussions about insurance. An educator’s guide that features reproducible worksheets designed to help you incorporate the basics of insurance into lesson plans. A student magazine called Risky Business, which summarizes lessons and provides exercises to help students understand basic insurance concepts. Finally, a wall poster to stimulate student interest.
Title: Exploring Probability
Author: Claire Newman, Thomas Obremski, and Richard Scheaffer
Publisher: Dale Seymour Publications
Publishing date: 1987
Location/URL: this book can be borrowed from Newman Catholic High School math department
Brief description: This is a good enrichment book for probability. It has several fun activities for students to do that require not a lot of background mathematics. These activities could be used in pre-algebra, Algebra 1 or junior high math. This book has questions that are thought provoking and some require students to apply knowledge they’ve already learned to something they haven’t learned yet.
Title: 40 Lessons in Problem Solving
Author: Ernest and Marilyn Woodward
Publisher: Carolina Biological Supply Company
Publishing date: ?
Location/URL: Available by ordering from Carolina Biological Supply Company – 800-334-5551
Brief description: Lively activities on Pascal’s triangle, the calendar, geometric numbers, area, perimeter and more. Problems encourage students to develop their own problem-solving techniques.
Title: Math-A-Day
Author: Theoni Pappas
Publisher: Carolina Biological Supply Company
Publishing date: 1999
Location/URL: order from the publisher by calling 800-334-5551
Brief description: This book covers 366 days of problems and puzzles, mathematical quotations, and historical and present-day facts.
Title: Great Jobs for Math Majors
Author: Stephen Lambert and Ruth J. DeCotis
Publisher: VGM Career Horizons
Publishing date: 1998
Location/URL:
Brief description: This is a book I have in my library. When students like math, they need to have resources that give them information on what careers they can pursue that require math ability and perhaps a math major in college. It will be important to keep an updated version of this type of book.
Title: Exploring Geometry with the Geometer's Sketchpad (blackline activity masters for use with the GSP software listed below)
Author:
Publisher: Key Curriculum Press
Publishing date: my edition 1999. This edition is an improvement over the previous edition that our school owns.
Location/URL: book must be purchased; a website listed in its cover is http://www.keypress.com
Brief description: This is a supplement to the computer program. The book contains 112 are blackline masters of different activities. Some can be used 'as is' and others are better with some modification.
Title: MASTER MATH: ALGEBRA (ISBN 1-56414-194-2)
Author: Debra Anne Ross
Publisher: Career Press
Publishing Date: 1996
Location/URL: Most books stores or internet (Amazon.com)
Brief Description: There are several books in the series ranging from basic math to advance math in topics from numbers to algebra to geometry and calculus. In this book, it helps making the transition from pre-algebra to college algebra easier to understand. It is an excellent reference guide that makes learning and understanding algebraic equations, inequalities, polynomials and linear equations as simple as “two plus two”. The book is divided into chapters with simple step-by-step procedures and solutions, concrete example and applications with concise definitions of terms and a detailed description of the techniques. In chapter 1 is translating word problems into algebraic equations, chapter 2 simplifies the equations, chapter 3 solves algebraic equations ……… to chapter 9, which is working with coordinate systems/graphic equations. So, you can tell that it starts with the basics and builds each chapter on previous topics. This is an excellent reference guide to prepare for lessons or as a refresher. Each chapter includes word problems, simplification of the word problems, problem-solving techniques, and the applicable terminology associated with that specific topic.
Title: Where are we ever gonna use this?
Author: Hal Saunders
Publisher: Dale Seymour Publications
Publishing date: 1991
Location\URL: PO Box 10888 Palo Alto, CA 94303
Brief Description: This is a very large chart that lists occupations and then matches the occupations up with different parts of math. It has a section for Basic Math/Pre-Algebra, First Yr Algebra, Geometry, and 2nd Year Algebra/Trigonometry. Each of these areas are then broken further into different parts of math. It is a wonderful resource for students to use in seeing how math will be used in their job. There is a book you can buy that accompanies this book with problems from various jobs in it.
Title: Write Starts – 101 Writing Prompts for Math
Author: Margaret McIntosh & R.J. Draper
Publisher: Dale Seymour Publications
Publishing date: February 1997
Location: ETA Cuisenaire, Barnes & Noble (cheaper price)
Brief description: Contains math writing prompts for students to think about while getting a better understanding of how to verbally express their mathematical thinking. 200 pages. Grades 6 and up. $16.95
Title: Algebra with Pizzazz! (ISBN: 0-88488-245-4)
Author: Steve and Janis Marcy
Publisher: Creative Publications, P.O. Box 10328, Palo Alto CA 94303
Publishing date: 1983
Location/URL:
Brief description: 256 Algebra based puzzle-type of worksheets. I am not generally a fan of “puzzles”, but this set of worksheets uses true Algebra I concepts. Most have a sufficient number of problems and many can be used instead of assignments from the book. I call them my “corny” worksheets because the puzzle answers a question like: “What did the customer do when the restaurant was out of peaches?” Answer: “He ordered pairs” (pears). The correct answers are reinforced and wrong answers give an unreasonable word in the answer.
Title: Algebra Survival Guide, A Conversational Handbook for the Thoroughly Befuddled
Author: John Rappaport and Sally Blakemore
Publisher: Singing Turtle Press
Publishing date: August 1999
Location: MindWare catalog, ETA Cuisenaire catalog, Barnes & Noble (cheaper price)
Brief description: Contains clear explanations for teachers and students on algebra topics. Contains rules, formulas, practice problems, question and answers, and cartoon illustrations. 265 pages. Grades 6-12. $19.95
Title: Functions and Change: A Modeling Approach to College Algebra, 2nd ed.
Authors: Bruce Crauder, Benny Evans, and Alan Noell of Oklahoma State University
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Publishing date: March 2002
Location/URL: W.I.U. Math Department (Dr. Olsen has the entire text and Sarah Dalpiaz has the first two chapters.)
Brief description: This text has great application problems. Even though the book is designed for college algebra courses and the use of a graphing calculator, many of the problems can be modified slightly so they are appropriate for the high school level. The function concept is stressed, which is a bonus. Almost every exercise states the topic, gives a formula or requires the formulation of one, and has several questions referring to the same topic. Some of the topics addressed are radioactive substances, population of deer, brightness of starts, Newton’s law of cooling, and arterial blood flow just to name a few.
Title: Thinking Mathematically
Author: John Mason with Leone Burton & Kaye Stacey
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
Publishing date: 1987 with subsequent reprinting up through 1998
Locaton/URL: Pleasant Valley Community School District Mathematics Dept.
Brief Description: The title of this book is fitting. The book presents a variety of problem solving strategies, sample problems with solutions, and extra problems for independent practice. The process of mathematical thinking is stressed throughout the book. Being stuck is an honorable state and essential to improving thinking. Students and teachers are encouraged to conjecture and attack each problem. The answers are of little importance and are not even provided in the final chapter. Various levels of support are offered throughout the book.
Title: Calculus
Author: Hughes-Hallet, D., Gleason, M. & et al.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.
Publishing date: 1994
Location/URL: Erik Belby’s Professional Library
Brief description: I picked up this book at an AP Calculus conference I attended at St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. Although it is not the textbook I use in class everyday, I do rely on it for a great deal of supplementary material. I have often heard it referred to as the “Reform Calculus” text. Problems presented in this text are applied and connected to a wide variety of topics from the physical and social sciences. The problems are challenging and meaningful. A wide variety of topics are covered including functions, limits and continuity, differential calculus, integral calculus, and a variety of series.
Title: The Math Projects Journal
Author: Assorted teachers with editing by Greg Rhodes and Chris Shore
Publisher: The Math Projects Journal, 13983 Crowned Partidge, Murrieta, CA 92562
Publishing date: bi monthly journal
Location/URL: http://www.mathprojects.com
Brief description: The Math Projects Journal is a bimonthly publication offering tips and lesson plans for innovative math activities, discussions on relevant topics, and contributions from teachers around the world. The purpose of the newsletter is to create a network of math project enthusiasts and share engaging, classroom-tested ideas for teaching mathematics, especially for algebra and geometry.
Title: Student Math Notes
Author:
Publisher: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Publishing date: published 5 times a year
Location/URL: www.my.nctm.org/eresources/about_smn.asp
Title: Mathematics Teacher
Author: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Publisher: maybe ordered through EBSCO
Publishing date: current periodical
Location/URL: http://my.nctm.org/eresources/journal_home.asp?journal_id=2
Brief description: During the course of this course (Math 503) I have read many articles from this journal. I like it! If I were to get a job teaching math I definitely would want a subscription to it. I feel that it has many useful articles and supplementary problems.
Author: NA
Publisher: ETA Cuisenaire
Publishing date: 1999
Location: ETA catalog, 800/445-5985, www.etacuisenaire.com
Brief description: Versa Tiles come in a small case for each student. The case is actually where the student answers the problems. Each worksheet that the student does has a multiple choice answer box at the end and students must match the number tile to the correct letter space. Once completed, the student closes the Versa Tile, flips it over, opens it and sees a design on the tiles. This design must match the “answer” design on the worksheet. This allows students to check their own work and work at their own pace. In each kit you receive 8 workbooks on various grade appropriate objectives. Grade levels range from 1st – 8th grade. Kits and Versa Tiles are sold separately. Kits range from $60.00, and Versa Tiles are about $12.00 each. This is a great alternative to paper and pencil assignments.
Title: TI-83 Plus ViewScreen Panel
Author:
Publisher: Texas Instruments
Publishing date:
Location\URL: PO Box 650311 MS3962, Dallas, TX 75265
Brief Description: This view panel sits on an overhead and projects the calculator image on the screen. This is crucial for any math classroom that is using a calculator for advanced functions.
Title: MATH FORUM
Author: various
Publisher: Drexel University
Publishing Date: 1994-2002
Location/URL: www.mathform.org
Brief Description: This is an excellent reference site for teachers, students and even parents. This web site has resources by subject and grade. It has links to classroom materials such as lesson plans, problem worksheets, puzzles, activities and reference links. There is a library section, as place to ask questions and quick reference areas. The site has software available for purchase or shareware downloading which includes internet projects and public forums.
Title: Purplemath - Your Algebra Resource
Author: Elizabeth Stapel
Publisher: Braden Bryce Publishing
Publishing date: Copyright 2000-2002
Location/URL: http://www.purplemath.com/
Brief description: This site has many practical algebra lessons which give tips, hints, and examples, and point out common mistakes. The site is structured for students, but contains many useful ideas for teachers as well. There is a list of links to other algebra sites which is organized nicely by category. There is one page devoted to describing the guidelines for math homework. (e.g. “Clearly indicate the number of the exercise you are doing.”) Besides all this, the site also contains a survey to measure your students’ study skills.
Title: Complex Technology Based Problems in Calculus
Authors: Aaron Klebanoff, Brian Winkel, Lynn Kiaer, Jerry Fine, Susan Clements, Sandra Dawson, Robert Feller, Kim Foltz, David Horn, Kenneth Kerr, and Rosaline Secrest
Publisher: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Publishing date: 2000
Location/URL: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/Class/CalculusProbs/
Brief description: This site “offer(s) complex, technology-based problems in calculus with applications in science and engineering. These problems have a higher level of complexity than traditional text book problems and foster use of a computer algebra system. Each problem set includes discussions of related teaching issues and solutions worked in Mathematica.” The majority of the problems are designed for Calculus and Physics courses, but could be slightly modified to used at other levels. The “Teacher Notes” provided for each problem includes prerequisites.
Title: Lesson Plans
Author: Ed Scope, L.L.C.
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002
Location/URL: www.lessonplanspage.com
Brief Description: This is a good web site for teacher references. This is not only for math but other subjects. The site has options for select subject, then grade level, and specific topics. There are options for reading references, project suggestions, on-line or downloading worksheets, recommended lesson plans, help/questions, and other reference links. This is an excellent site for new teachers to get started and for substitute teachers to prepare for various subjects.
Title: ALGEBRA CHEAT 1 and 2
Author: BRAC SOFTWARE
Publisher: BRAC SOFTWARE LIMITED
Publishing Date: 2001
Location/URL: www.BACSOFTWARE.CO.UK
Brief Description: This software is available for trial downloading and/or purchase for approximately $20.00. There are two different programs the first for introductory or simple algebraic equations and the second for advanced mathematics. It is a marvelous tool for evaluating algebraic expressions including functions. You enter the algebraic expression, click the simplify button, and see the expression in its simplified form with a complete and detailed description of how it was accomplished. This is ideal for polynomial multiplication and polynomial division teaching techniques. This software will be ideal for students having problems grasping the concepts of simplification during classroom and allowing them to check their work at home and also allow parents who maybe not up on the latest math techniques to assist or check homework and thus get more involved in their child’s school work.
Title: The College Board Web Site for AP Calculus
Author: The College Board
Publisher: The College Board
Publishing date: Updated regularly, copyright: 2002
Location/URL: http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/students/calculus/
Brief description: This web site is just one part of the general College Board web site. It deals specifically with the Advanced Placement courses in Calculus AB and Calculus BC. Items of interest include course descriptions, topical outlines for 2002/2003, new topics for 2004, and prerequisites for the course. You may find the selection of AP problems from the 2001 and 2000 exams particularly helpful. Free Response questions and solutions are provided for 6 different problems for each year. Links are also provided to various other web sites that provide review material for students preparing for the annual AP exam.
Title: PBS Teacher Source Author: N/A Publisher: Corporation for Public BroadcastingPublishing date: 2002Location/URL: http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/math.htmBrief description: This is an excellent resource for both teachers and students. It presents lesson plans and activities that enrich the learning experience by providing worksheets for students to work on. Many of these activities are presented in a usable format in the form of .pdf and .html files. In addition to this, most activities are complimented by a video from PBS that shows the use of various mathematical concepts in real-world settings. These videos are not immediately available on the website, but many of the activities can be performed without these visual aids.
Title: Shack’s Math Problems Author: Michael ShacklefordPublisher: N/APublishing date: December 14, 2001Location/URL: http://www.thewizardofodds.com/math/Brief description: This website offers a multitude of problem solving questions. Problems are classified according to difficulty and cover a very wide range of mathematical topics. Almost 200 examples are given that allow for a thorough search of problems in order to determine the concept that needs to be addressed. In addition, comprehensive solutions are given that rarely leave questions about the intricacies of the answer. Overall, this is an excellent website for teachers that are seeking problem-solving questions to use in their classrooms.
Title: Manipula Math With Java Author: N/APublisher: International Education Software, Inc.Publishing date: October 27, 2001Location/URL: http://www.ies.co.jp/math/java/Brief description: This website offers a number of java applets that can be used to explore several mathematical concepts that traditionally have been misunderstood or not fully realized by students because of a lack of interaction. Applets are organized by subject and often are accompanied by proofs that make connections between visual and algebraic representations of concepts possible. In addition, the applets are well-animated and have features that are usually unavailable on other websites. The examination of vectors is especially thorough and leads to a complete understanding of the concept. Overall, this is a well-rounded website that truly takes advantage of technology in the classroom. (Editor’s note: I agree completely!)
Title: Visual CalculusAuthor: Lawrence S. BuschPublisher: University of Tennessee Knoxville, Mathematics DepartmentPublishing date: 2001Location/URL: http://archives.math.utk.edu/visual.calculus/Brief description: This website primarily serves as a supplement to calculus instruction within the classroom. In essence, it is a “virtual teacher”. Users are walked through calculus concepts much as if they were being taught by an actual teacher. It should be noted that this is not a replacement for traditional instruction. Rather, it serves as a review for students that may have left the classroom unsure of their competency in a certain concept. Instruction is aided by visual examples that are often missing from the physical classroom. This resource can be used by both teachers and students that are striving to gain a greater understanding of various calculus concepts.
Title: Project Interactivate
Author:
Publisher: The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.
Publishing date: 1997-2002
Location/URL: http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/index.html
Brief description: This is a website created for middle school mathematics. There are a variety of activities that have lessons already created to correspond with each activity. These sites activities are connected to the NCTM standards. Lessons and activities are available in the following categories: number and operation concepts, geometry and measurement concepts, function and algebra concepts, and probability and data analysis concepts. I like this site because it contains lessons and activities that build off of each other. It also is helpful to have a lesson outline that matches the goals of the activities.
Title: aaamath
Author: J. Banfill
Publisher: web site
Publishing date: 2000
Location/URL: http://www.aaamath.com/
Brief description: This web site can be used to help students with the repetition they need to master a skill. The student can choose a topic from K-9 grade math topics and they will be given a brief description of what to do. To practice the computer produces a practice problem, then they submit their answer and the computer immediately tells the student if he/she is right or wrong.
Title: Success link
Author: Variety of teachers
Publisher: Success link
Publishing date:
Location/URL: www.successlink.org
Brief description: This site is excellent and full of exciting lesson plans and activities ready to use in your classroom.
Title: WinPlot and WinGeom ~ Free off the Internet
Author: Rick Parris of Exeter Academy
Publisher: download from website
Publishing date: updates from website
Location/URL: http://math.exeter.edu/rparris/default.html
Brief description: I went to a session on this program at an ICTM conference. The facilitator took us through examples and activities with both programs. The WinPlot is a graphing program and WinGeom is a sketch program. Both lend themselves to discovery type activities. They both require more interaction than point-and-click; some commands must be typed – a small downside. They are both free. There are a variety of other programs written by Rick Parris. An added plus is that the figures can be copied and pasted to be used in a document. I have not used the program yet, but I liked the look of it, I saw potential for me using it in my classroom, and I was impressed with the generosity of it being free.
Title: Trigonometry Explorer CD
Author: no author given
Publisher: Riverdeep The Learning Company
Publishing date: No date listed
Location/URL: www.ccvsoftwate.com
Brief description: This software provides students with applications of trigonometry for science and social studies and to see how trigonometry relates to algebra and geometry. Real world problems are what we need to emphasis plus cross-curriculum applications are also important.
Title: Accelerated Math Program
Author: Renaissance Learning
Publisher: Renaissance Learning
Publishing date: NA
Location/URL: Renaissance Learning P.O. Box 8036 Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-9904 Phone: 800/338-4204 www.renlearn.com
Brief description: This is a math program that automatically creates and grades daily assignments, creates student performance records, and gives 31 different reports on the class, which is supposed to reduce paperwork for the teacher. This program lets you create math assignments according to the individual student need, and goes along with your existing curriculum and math book. This program is intended for grades 3-Calculus, and you choose the library that suits you. Students record their answers on a bubble sheet and you need to have a bubble grader called ‘AccelScan’. The program is costly, prices vary. Information sent includes a demo cd.
Title: Navigating through Algebra in Grades 6-8
Author: Susan Friel, Sid Rachlin, and Dot Doyle
Publisher: The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Inc.
Publishing date: 2001
Location: I have a copy of it and it can also be located in a catalog.
Brief description: This book contains 4 topics of Algebra and gives hands-on examples for students to explore. There is good descriptions of each activity and how it improves algebraic thinking. This is one of many in a series. There are elementary books and a high school book.
Title: Agnesi to Zeno
Author: Sanderson M. Smith
Publisher: Key Curriculum Press
Publishing date: 1996
Location/URL: Barnes & Nobels or through Key Curriculum catalog
Brief description: Over 100 vignettes from the history of mathematics. Students do not know the history of mathematics and the wonderful stories that are there. This book is great for enrichment as topics arise during class. Students like to hear about the real things mathematicians did. Great source of related readings of topics discussed.
Title: Learning Activities from the History of Mathematics
Author: Frank J. Swetz
Publisher: J. Weston Walch
Publishing date: 1994
Location/URL: Catalog such as Nasco
Brief description: Reproducible book that includes: 1.) People of Mathematics – picture and life 2.) Mathematical word origin such as mathematics, zero, compute, addition, fraction, and many others 3.) A section of historical problems such as problems on the Rhind Papyrus. 4.) Classroom activities such as working with the Golden Mean. This a good book for ideas on many areas and how to introduce many mathematical concepts.
Title: Navigating through Geometry in Grades 9-12 (with CD-Rom)
Author: Roger Day, Paul Kelley, Libby Krussel, Johnny W. Lott, and James Hirstein
Publisher: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Publishing date: 1999-2001
Location/URL: http://poweredge.nctm.org/nctm/index.icl
Brief description: A resource that provides challenging activities for students. I feel since it is published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics it has to be a good resource. It has activities that require the use of technology including interactive geometry software and a calculator.
Title: The Geometer's Sketchpad (computer program)
Author:
Publisher: Key Curriculum Press / Key College Publishing
Publishing date: My edition is 2000.
Location/URL: Software must be purchased; a website listed in the literature is http://www.keypress.com
Brief description: GSP is a computerized sketch program. My school has been using if for several years and all the geometry teachers are quite pleased with it. It is user-friendly and computer novices can get up to speed. There is a tool pallet and pull-down menus. In my school, we use it for a variety of construction and exploration activities. It can also be used for advanced geometry classes.
Title: “LiveMath Maker”
Author: Allan Bonadio
Publisher: Theorist Interactive
Publishing date: 2002
Location/URL: http://www.livemath.com/maker
Brief description: “LiveMath Maker is a computer program you use to MAKE (and explore and experiment with and create) LiveMath. Any LiveMath you make with LiveMath Maker may be shared with the world via the World-Wide-Web, using the FREE LiveMath Plug-In for Netscape/Explorer. The math is LIVE. You may change input values, see calculations recalculate, turn graphs, zoom-in - all within the webpage using the LiveMath Plug-In -- for FREE. LiveMath is not syntax based. You do not have to learn a programming language to drive LiveMath.”
Title: Scientific Notebook 4.0 (software)
Author: MacKichan Software, Inc.
Publisher: MacKichan Software, Inc.
Publishing date:
Location\URL: http://www.mackichan.com/
Brief Description: This software is great for writing exams and using in the classroom. It is very easy to write in mathematical notation and the graphing capabilities are very useful for the classroom. It will also calculate problems using derivatives, integrals and much more.
Title: Algebra Word Problem Solver
Author: Software program
Publisher: CyberEd, Inc.
Publishing date: Updated 2001
Location/URL: http://www.cyberedinc.com
Brief description: This software can be purchased by schools and teachers to use as an interactive source or as a means of providing additional ‘tutorial’ help in the classroom when the teacher cannot be in two places at one time. The program allows students to enter expressions and word problems into the program. The software then breaks up the Input problem into phrases ready to be translated. For example, if you clicked the analysis screen for a word problem that said, “The length of a rectangle is 1 less than twice its width. The length is decreased by 1, the width is decreased by 3. The area is decreased by 36 square units. Find the dimensions of the rectangle.” The following information would appear.
About the Analysis screen viewed below:
· The Create Phrases button has been clicked to breakup the Input problem into phrases ready for translation.
· The phrases are shown in the All Phrases box.
· The Translate Phrase button has been clicked twice.
· The first phrase, "The length of a rectangle is 1 less than twice its width" has resulted in:
· The variable definitions for the Length and Width in the Let Statements text box.
· The translated statement: "L=2W-1" in the Given text box..
· On the second Translate Phrase click, the 3 phrases in the Active Phrases box are translated as a group, since they must be treated together to form the next step. This results in the following translated equation"
· "(L-1)(W-3)=LW-36" in the Given text box.
· Note that the arrow in the Given box points to the equation corresponding to the phrases in the Active Phrases text box.
· The next Translate Phrase button would show what is to be found: the Dimensions. Dimensions would in turn be translated to the Length and Width, the dimensions of the rectangle.
· The focus is still on the Translate Phrase button because there is still another phrase to be translated.
· Note the External Formulas text box. It is used to show what external mathematical formula is applicable to the problem.
· This formula, A=LW, the rectangle area formula would be displayed when the External Formulas button is clicked.
**This software could be used as an overhead display when solving problems with students in order to direct and guide their thinking when trying to solve problems. It also could be used as a means of double-checking one’s work when preparing for a test of similar type problems. I would not suggest that this software be available to students to use in order to solve problems they get stuck on, but more as a supplemental means or tutorial type program where students can get extra help and guidance when first learning how to think through different types of programs.
Title: Graphmatica
Author: unknown
Publisher: kSoft, Inc.
Publishing Date: unknown
Location: www.graphmatica.com
Brief Description: This is a graphing program for your computer. It is a good program because the graphs do not have to be written in function form (y =). This is a good program for upper level math classes because sometimes it is hard to graph some of the implicit equation that the students are given. This program also allows for you to save the graphs and import them into word documents, for some really good tests. Along with all of this, the program has some calculus options and does a variety of kinds of graphs. The program is free and can be downloaded from the site above.
Title: The House that Math Built
Author:
Publisher: Real World Educational Products
Publishing date:
Location/URL: www.realworlded.com
Brief description: This looks like a really neat program that students would like. It meets many of the NCTM Standards and provides hours of problem solving and real life applications. Help screens take students step by step through concepts they don’t understand. It has several games such as the building game, the stock market game, the real estate game, and the California Vacation game.
Title: High School Advantage 2000
Author: Encore Education
Publisher: Encore Education
Publishing date: 2000
Location/URL: Software.
Brief description: These are cd's that you download on the computer. They have CD's for Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, And Statistics. I use them as enrichment. My students can get extra credit this way. If they finish a chapter successfully I give them extra credit.
Title: Tessellation Exploration
Author:
Publisher: Tom Snyder Productions
Publishing date: 2001
Location/URL: 80 Coolidge Hill Road, Watertown, MA 02472-5003
Brief description: A teacher’s guide and CD-ROM tessellation software program that is user-friendly. The product can be used to create new tessellations or open saved tessellations. The software is visually appealing and very helpful in exploring transformations and tessellations in action through slide show presentations.
Compiled by Math 503 students Spring 2002 ~ James Olsen Instructor ~ Western Illinois University