Math A Tube
Math A Tube is a compilation of videos from a variety of sources, including some that are made by Math Tube.
Videos are categorized by math concepts and sub-concept areas.
The website is free to teachers, home school parents, and students of all levels.
There are many teachers who upload math videos to file sharing websites like, YouTube, AOL, Yahoo, and many more.
These websites are great for hosting videos, but they are not really a math website. There are literally dozens of these sites popping up everyday.Some are better than others.
Reviewing these videos is a time consuming process; however, they save teachers and [parents time.
Additional Resources
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: learning math, math for kids, math lessons, problem solving, teaching math
Math Problem Solving
Problem solving in math is a mental process and is part of the larger process that includes identifying what problem must be solved.
The main reason for learning math is to become better problem solvers in all aspects of life.
Many problems are multistep processes and require some type of systematic approach.
Problem Solving is Personal
The ability to solve problems is the foundation of mathematics. For a student in any grade in school, the road to understanding math is through the problem solving gateway. This is not to be confused with completing worksheets; these are real world personal problems which require logical thinking and reasoning skills to solve.
For example:
- How many songs can be downloaded from iTunes with $7.75?
- How much to charge a neighbor for cutting their grass?
- How many cars do I need to wash to buy a new video game, when charging $5.00 each car wash?
To develop the ability to solve problems, children need to make a personal connection as they visualize, touch, and see the problem. In grades K – 7, children cannot think in the abstract like adults. Most children, but not all, begin to develop abstract thinking in the 8th grade.
Math Problems
When developing math problems, the topics must be appropriate for the grade level and cultural environment of the child.
For example:
- Rural farming communities should use examples which are farm related.
- Suburban schools should use examples related to the community and the child’s life.
- Urban settings need to use examples related to the child’s environment.
Regardless of the setting, math problems are everywhere; making it personal and meaningful is critical for stimulating problem solving.
Additional problem solving exercises include:
- How many marbles will fit inside a jar? They determine the volume in the jar. Next determine a reasonable estimate of the number of marbles by using similar materials.
- Cooking – using fractions for baking.
Resources
12 Tips for Solving Word Problems: Teaching Children How to Solve Math Problems
Math Problems: Order of Operations
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: geometry, home school math resources, interactive math, math word problems, problem solving, problem solving skills, solving math problems
Animal Images
The Museum of Animal Perspectives (M.A.P.) collects and displays wildlife imagery from all around the world captured using remote sensing cameras.
Most remotely sensed videos and photos that are presented are supplied by Flickr and YouTube.
The rest of the images that appear here come directly from wildlife filmmakers, researchers or stock agencies.
Most of the imagery that is featured on the M.A.P. website is NOT in the public domain.
The M.A.P. is a non-commercial new media project. The M.A.P. website has been created for educational purposes only.
Galleries
Dwelling Cams - this gallery contains views from inside nests and burrows.
Camera Traps - this gallery contains views from motion activated camera traps.
Animal Borne Imagery - This gallery contains views from cameras mounted on animals.
ROV Imagery - this gallery contains views from remotely operated vehicles.
Threatened Species - this gallery contains views of threatened species.
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: animals, remote sensing, web cams, wild life, wildlife animals
Science Discrepant Events
The following are discrepant events that does not turn out as expected.
These anomalies challenge students’ beliefs and makes them more receptive to learning what you want them to learn.
Alcohol and Water Miscibility: Discrepant Event
Miscibility means how completely two or more liquids dissolve in each other.
Materials Needed per Group: two 50 mL beakers, 0ne 100 mL beaker, 100 mL water, 100 mL ethanol
Students complete the following:
Add 50 mL of water to 50 mL of water. They
Add 50 mL of ethanol to 50 mL of ethanol, you get 100 mL of ethanol.
However, when 50 mL of water is added with 50 mL of ethanol?
They get a 96 mL solution.
Why?
The water and ethanol molecules are different sizes, with the ethanol molecules are smaller. Some of the ethanol fits in the spaces between the water molecules.
Think about two other materials: a liter of sand and a liter of pebbles. If you pour the sand into the pebbles, the total volume will be less than two liters, because some of the sand fills in the spaces between the pebbles.
Bernoulli’s Principle: Discrepant Event
Materials Needed per Group: two empty soda cans, 23 straws, one metric ruler
Students complete the following:
Place 22 straws side-by-side 1 cm apart.
Place the two empty soda cans on the straws 5 cm apart.
Two empty soft drink cans are placed on several drinking straws. Air pressure forces the cans to roll toward each other.
Using the remaining straw, blow between the cans.
The cans roll towards each other until they collide.
Why?
As the velocity of the air between the two cans increases (being blown away), the pressure the air it applies to the inner sides of the cans decreases.
This allows the air on the opposing sides of the cans to push the cans towards to the area of lower pressure.
Ensure students understand that the air pressure on the outer sides did not increase, rather it was the decrease in pressure between the cans that allowed the cans to roll towards each other.
The cans were not “sucked” together. They were pushed together.
Additional Resources
Teaching Science using Discrepant Events
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: critical thinking, discrepant events, Science, science inquiry
Nature of Science
Tags: nature of science, Science, science laws, theories
Science and Math Integration
The Zerofootprint Kid’s Calculator is designed to help kids measure their life style’s impact on the planet.
Science and math measurements and calculations are made concerning carbon, land, water, and trees.
Environment Lessons
The website provides links to many lessons that integrate math science, examples include:
Impact on the environment through the use of cars, buses, trucks, planes, and more.
- How Gasoline Works
- Pollution Prevention
- Green Cars
Impact on the environment based on what kids eat.
- Bio Foods
- Filter It Down - Water
- Food Web
Impact on the environment of what kids use for example:
- A Day Without Energy
- Alternative Sources of Energy
- Energy Alternatives
Impact on the environment of what kids throw away.
- Enviroinfo: Recycling
- Enviroinfo: Wastes
- Garbologists Audits
Along with environmental lessons to teachers and home school parents.
- Audit of Household Waste
- Clean Air
- Home Chemicals
Check out their website.
Additional Math and Science Integration Resources
Problem Solving and Science Process Skills
Math Teaching Strategies that Challenge Students
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: environmental science, math activities, math and science, math lessons, science activities, science lessons, science projects
Science Fair Projects
Science fair projects are always popular in school. Science fairs are used to present science projects students have conducted to solve scientific problems.
These science fairs also give students a chance to share their findings about what they learned during their science investigation.
Using technology resources as a basis for a science fair project is one approach, which will draw wanted attention during science fairs.
So what are technology based resources and how can they help a science fair project?
Science Investigations
Using online information technology support leads to presentations using PowerPoint, spreadsheet(s), and word processing for sharing findings. Here are key attributes technology based research helps organize, conduct, and share findings in an investigation:
- Use of dedicated online real-time databases for research or supporting research.
- Demonstrates higher level thinking skills, not merely summarizing information.
Problem Based Learning
There are two main types of science fair projects that can use online resources, along with integrating science process skills. These two are:
- Project Based Learning – focusing on the development of or creating a new product.
- Problem Based Learning – focusing on solving a specific problem or gaining new information about a problem.
If students want to set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd with science projects, using the guidelines provided above will get them noticed by judges.
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: problem based learning, Science Fair Projects, science investigations, technology integration in science
Science Newsletters
One strategy for teaching science concepts is through the use of student developed science newsletters.
This approach involves students in the learning process as they research information, write articles, and present these articles in class science newsletters.
This newsletter project helps students improve their writing skills as they learn how to write in science.
Using publishing tools in classroom computer software programs, students embed supporting images and links in the newsletters.
This format also allows newsletters to be published in a classroom Science Blog or Science Wiki for viewing by parents and other interested parties.
If no paper is used, then this becomes a green newsletter.
Science Newsletter Format
The format of the newsletter uses the following guidelines:
Lead Story – a breaking news story format about the specific scientific concept which is the focus of the newsletter.
One Example: Scientist Discover Earth Shaking News about Earthquakes! Based on research.
Personal Interest Story – a story about people or animals using the scientific concept being studied.
One Example: Family uses levers and pulleys to remove debris from their home after an earthquake.
Optional Newsletter Sections
The following sections are optional and are more likely used when a whole class is involved in the development of the newsletter.
Comic Strip – a student draws a cartoon strip involving the scientific concept or finds one (citing source) which addresses the concept.
Want Ads – advertisements from people searching for or selling products related to the science concept.
Puzzles – word puzzles or other puzzles involving the scientific concept.
Read more about Science Newsletters.
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: newsletters, science in the news, science project, writing in science
Learning Math Through Writing
The advantage for students who write in math class is that they develop a greater understanding of mathematics.
Student learning of math occurs from the process of explaining mathematical concepts to others, this is where writing strategies help the process of learning.
This is where a version of an old adage fits – “If you can successfully explain the problem and process to others in writing, then you understand the math concept.”
Writing in Math Checklist
Providing students with a checklist as a math resource helps them learn how to write in mathematics.
The checklist can be easily adapted into a rubric for grading.
The checklist helps students focus on the important details required in a good math paper.
The following writing strategies are part of a recommended checklist:
Clearly State the Math Problem – do not assume the reader knows what you are talking about. Explain the problem in detail so the reader understands the problem.
Present the Answer in a Complete Sentence – the answer must stand alone. Variables must be explained and if the answer is at the end of the paper, restate assumptions made when solving the problem. Do not assume the reader remembers every detail of the problem or paper.
Clearly State Assumptions Related to Formulas – explain what assumptions were taken to solve the problem.
Read more at Writing in Mathematics
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: learning math, math resources, mathematical concepts, writing across the curriculum, writing in math, writing strategies
Natural Disasters
Everyday natural disasters occur somewhere in the world. Disasters are caused by flooding, hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, and more.
Students rarely have the ability to view the effects of natural disasters, except on TV.
However, there is one technology that is available for students to watch natural disasters occur or see the effects after they have occurred.
This technology is called Google Earth. Using this free technology, students get a bird’s eye view of a natural disaster area with remarkable high resolution.
This technology was only available to scientists and government officials until recently. Teachers and students now have access to this technology and they can investigate the cause and effect of any natural disaster in the world.
Google Earth
When word of a natural disaster is unfolding somewhere in the world and announced on the news, students can use Google Earth to conduct an investigation of the disaster’s effect.
If enough warning is given, examples are a hurricane or typhoon; students can view the expected land fall areas before they strike. Then students can view the effects after the hurricane or typhoon passes through the area.
Natural Disasters
Students can investigate using Google Earth, include:
Volcano Eruptions – investigation lava flows and impact on surrounding vegetation.
Earthquakes – especially in populated areas, investigating the impact on human development and land masses.
Major Floods – investigate floods, along with watershed cause and effects.
Tsunamis – investigate the destructive power of Tsunamis, by comparing before and after images of the seashore and surrounding landscape.
Wild Fires – investigate and track the spread of wild fires anywhere in the world to determine the effect, when compared to previous data.
Droughts – monitor the effect on vegetation, rivers, and watersheds as droughts continue over a period of time.
Blizzards – investigate the effect when blizzards cover a large region, such as the east coast blizzard of 1995.
Tornadoes – investigate the damage caused by a tornadoes’ impact on areas populated by humans, comparing the different levels of tornadoes.
Additional Information and Resources
Natural Disasters and Investigating Causes
Understanding Scientific Inquiry
20 Questions to Ask Students in Science Projects
David R. Wetzel, Ph.D.
Tags: earthquakes, google earth, natural disasters, science investigations
