Problem solving in mathematics is critical to understanding geometric concepts and also making connections with other mathematics concepts.
The following activities cause students to use critical thinking and problem solving skills - often referred to as inquiry-based teaching and learning.
Inquiry Math Activity
Materials – 27 one inch snap cubes for each student
Procedures – Part 1
Give each [...]
Continue reading about Geometric Problem Solving with Snap Cubes
There are many lists going around about what the next decade will bring in K-12 education, especially focusing on those things that will become obsolete.
Well, I decided to create my own list of 5 things that should be obsolete in K-12 education by 2020.
Homework
The United States continues to fall behind most Asian and some European [...]
Continue reading about 5 Things that Will Become Obsolete in Math and Science by 2020
The Pythagorean Theorem is used any time you have a right triangle in which you know the length of two sides and want to find the third side.
The formula is: a2 + b2 = c2
There are many strategies for getting students to learn how to solve a problem related to this theorem. Many of [...]
Continue reading about Pythagorean Theorem - Real World Application
We need to make changes in the way we teach students math. A comparison of state standardized test scores show that test scores a leveling off or are flat State Mathematics Comparisons 2000 - 2009 (National Center for Education Statistics).
During the early part of the decade our students made great strides in improving their test [...]
Continue reading about Making Connections in Math Through Reading
Project-based learning or Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is one of the best teaching strategies for engaging students in realistic learning activities. Students are not only interested, they are also learning math in the process.
Why?
Because their minds are engaged, critical thinking is taking place!
This is often referred to as critical thinking, minds-on, or inquiry-based teaching and [...]
Continue reading about Project Based Learning - Math Activities
As many of you may have discovered, I also found that many of my previous colleagues have little use for technology for teaching.
They are mired in excuses such as using technology is cheating, students learn best through lecture, the stresses of NCLB makes it too difficult to do anything but have students memorize facts to [...]
Continue reading about Why Use Technology to Teach Science and Math?
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, [...]
Continue reading about Math for Kids: Along with Teachers and Parents
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 [...]
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 [...]
Continue reading about Math and Science: Integration with Environmental Science
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 [...]