Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Math Puzzles offers a large selection of puzzles with mathematical connections. Scroll through the page to find puzzles using geometric shapes, crosswords, number squares, and more. Choose any puzzle to view directions and begin to play.
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tag(s): crosswords (19), logic (161), problem solving (233)

Discover some of the world's best online courses with Springboard's search engine. Enter what you want to learn into the search bar. Explore the offerings provided or browse by subject, university, or providers. Narrow results down by starting date, teaching method, or credentials. Each entry includes a short description of the course, fees (many are free!), start dates, length of course, and skill level required. Many classes also include reviews from other Springboard's users. Click the "Enroll" link to go directly to the course or save to your wish list after creating a free account. Some of the videos are hosted on YouTube. Most do not require Flash. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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tag(s): professional development (385), search engines (48)

The MATHCOUNTS Foundation is a non-profit organization striving to engage middle school students of all ability and interest levels in enjoyable and challenging math programs. This site offers a large variety of resources for both students and educators. View programs to find information about The National Math Club, Math Video Challenge, and the MATHCOUNTS competition series. Discover the Solve-a-Thon fundraising program to create fundraising pages for your program and school. Be sure to explore the Resources portion of the site. Find a Problem of the Week including extensive archives, an electronic school handbook featuring 300 problems correlated to NCTM grade 6-8 standards, and MATHCOUNTS minis - a series of short video explanations of MATHCOUNTS problems. This site includes YouTube videos. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): competitions (10), problem solving (233), video (266)

Tabor Rotation is a flexible format for simplifying small-group, differentiated math instruction. This specific part of the site focuses on the free resources offered to help anyone teaching math groups within any format. Printable sheets include weekly planning options, game activities, and classroom management records. Be sure to check out the excellent resources for parents with activities such as a number treasure hunt and activities for dot cards.

tag(s): differentiation (84), number sense (69), patterns (61), preK (271), STEM (297), worksheets (69)

Here is your one stop for FREE training on Microsoft Word and Excel, Typing challenges, and activities in several subjects. There are activities for typing, math, spelling, and life skills geared toward elementary and middle school students. The menu at the left provides links to all activities except Excel. Find those at the top of the page. If you find an activity you like, easily share using links on each activity via email or social networks. Some of the video clips are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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tag(s): grammar (137), keyboarding (28), Microsoft (80), operations (72), parts of speech (39), spelling (98), spreadsheets (23), vocabulary (238)

This site offers over 10,000 lessons aligned with the Common Core and the Next Generation Science Standards. The lessons were created by 130 Master Teachers. You can browse resources without registering. Click the blue "Browse" button to get started. Choose along the top from Common Core Math, Common Core ELA, or Next Generation Science. Lessons are arranged by grade level or Math, Language, and Science subjects. However, if you want to create your own resources, registration is required. After registering, create a class and then create a unit for that class. Finally, create a lesson for that unit, fill in an objective, select a state standard, and estimate the total time on task. Upload files (or drag and drop) to assign them to the lesson or keep them "unassigned" for later use. Additionally, simply add other members' files to your own curriculum. Search for files by keyword, age-level, and type of format. Click on a result to see every lesson plan using that file.

tag(s): commoncore (73), professional development (385), Teacher Utilities (198)

The North Dakota Curriculum Initiative offers this informative site containing many downloadable documents. Use these documents when implementing and planning ELA (English/Language Arts) and Math Common Core Standards in all grades. Choose from grade level links to begin browsing available content. Choose from lists of standards, lesson and unit plans, pacing calendars, and much more.

tag(s): commoncore (73), professional development (385)

The Mathematics Center is an excellent site full of mathematics teaching resources aligned to Common Core Standards. Choose options from the menu on the home page such as lessons, videos, applets, and Common Core resources. Links lead to offerings sorted by grade level and topic. Most content is available for easy download in PDF format. Be sure to check out the parent guides available in both English and Spanish.

tag(s): area (53), decimals (85), division (98), equations (119), exponents (35), fractions (160), functions (52), numbers (120), perimeter (20), quadratics (27), rounding (8), subtraction (110), video (266)

The Annenberg Learner Foundation's goal is to advance excellent teaching in American schools. Annenberg Learner's multimedia resources help teachers increase their expertise in their fields and improve teaching methods in all grade levels in all subjects. There are video resources for all subject areas. Find lesson plans for all subjects by grade level. A variety of interactives accompany lessons or can also stand alone. Follow the monthly updates and blogs for the latest information.
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tag(s): art history (103), butterflies (13), conversions (37), critical thinking (127), dna (43), earth (184), environment (252), geometric shapes (135), immigrants (34), medieval (32), native americans (109), patterns (61), periodic table (46), renaissance (38), rocks (35), russia (36), south africa (13), spelling (98), statistics (121), volcanoes (55), weather (160)

New Zealand Maths provides a large number of teaching and professional development resources in mathematics. Choose a topics such as Number & Algebra or Problem Solving to view activities sorted by levels 1-6. These levels correspond approximately to US Grades K-12. Select Early Childhood Education to browse resources for PreK/K students. Also check out the sections for parents and professional development that contain many helpful ideas for any education setting. The site was created in New Zealand, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English.

tag(s): geometric shapes (135), number sense (69), numbers (120), preK (271), problem solving (233), professional development (385), spreadsheets (23), statistics (121)

This fabulous UK site offers many resources for math practice and instruction. Choose the Videos and Worksheets section to find a large list of topics sorted alphabetically including instructional videos and practice questions. Many also include corresponding textbook exercises. Choose 5-a-day to find another large selection of printables for daily review, choose from three different levels for each date. (U.S. users will need to "translate" the 5-a-day letter equivalents to find approximate grade levels; count backwards from grade 12 being "A.") Conundrums for each day of the year provide short, daily brainteasers ready to print and use. Don't miss the Great Maths Bakeoff, a terrific idea for Pi Day! This site was created in the UK. American English speakers will notice slight spelling differences and use of English currency. There is also mention of Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. In America, these stages equate to Ages 11-14 (Stage 3), Ages 14-16 (Stage 4), and Ages 16-18 (Stage 5). Some of the videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): addition (129), angles (52), charts and graphs (171), coordinates (15), decimals (85), division (98), equations (119), estimation (33), fractions (160), geometric shapes (135), inequalities (25), mean (19), measurement (122), median (16), mode (13), multiplication (122), probability (99), problem solving (233), pythagorean theorem (19), quadratics (27), sequences (12), square roots (15), subtraction (110), time (91), transformations (12), volume (34)

Worksheet Genius offers an extensive choices of worksheets content and options to custom create your own. Begin by choosing a topic such as English, math, or word lists to view options. Find various topics such as spelling practice (UK spelling!), thermometers/temperatures, math operations, and grammar. Most topics include several options for worksheets, including one to design your own. Once your worksheet is complete, select print. Your worksheet will print in PDF format. Having problems printing? Read the Print Tips in the bottom left red box. In addition to worksheets, Worksheet Genius provides a large selection of clipart free for use in educational settings. This site was created in the United Kingdom. You may notice some slight spelling differences in the instructions.
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tag(s): addition (129), counting (60), decimals (85), division (98), fractions (160), handwriting (15), multiplication (122), negative numbers (13), number lines (33), numbers (120), phonics (51), place value (34), preK (271), rounding (8), sentences (22), spelling (98), subtraction (110), temperature (35)

Solve My Math offers a wide selection of math calculators, games, and information for all different levels of math. Use the drop down box to choose a math category such as general math or complex numbers and trig. Some calculators offer only a solution while others show step by step ways to obtaining answers. Choose Math Courses for a basic overview of math content sorted by topic. The Math Games section offers games for learning basic math skills. Spend time exploring how the site is organized so you can avoid clicking the ads!
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tag(s): addition (129), calculators (36), charts and graphs (171), decimals (85), division (98), fractions (160), numbers (120), probability (99), statistics (121), subtraction (110)

Find challenging and fun group or individual math problems at this resource created for use in math competitions for 7th through 10th grade. This site offers previous problems for four different activity formats: quiz bowl, relay race, individual test, and team challenge. Choose the PDF for each activity to view past problems and responses.

tag(s): competitions (10), mental math (19)

This Mathematics Library is a collaborative, open access library of math textbooks for higher level math. The wiki is constantly updated by university faculty and students to offer an ever-growing resource. Its purpose is to be a supplement to traditional textbooks. Choose the "Mathematics" icon to begin. Choose from several categories such as Algebra or Geometry to continue. Narrow choices within each group to find information by topic. When looking for specific content, use the search bar to find all relevant information. Some content areas contain more information than others.

tag(s): equations (119), probability (99), problem solving (233), statistics (121), STEM (297), wikis (14)

World Science U offers high-quality science courses from the world's best educators. There is also some math content. Videos and graphics help you to understand rigorous content in meaningful ways. Find quizzes along with a visual archive of quick answers to common science and math questions. Begin your exploration of World Science U by choosing from three areas: Science Unplugged, Short Courses, or University Courses. All courses include a general description along with information on the workload required and background math and science levels needed. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): forces (37), gifted (66), light (56), mass (19), space (222), video (266)

Just as the name implies, Nick's Mathematical Puzzles is a collection of puzzles. The collection is an oldie but goodie. Each puzzle includes hints, full solutions, and links to related mathematical topics. Scroll through the 10 puzzles available on each of the sixteen pages or view the index to choose puzzles by name. Topics include geometry, probability, number theory, algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and logic. Use the number of stars to determine the difficulty level - 1 star is the easiest on up to 4 stars being most difficult.

tag(s): geometric shapes (135), logic (161), problem solving (233), puzzles (149)

Bring music into your math lessons! Appeal to your auditory learners with short samples of math Songs for Learning. Choose from three different CD titles to view song titles with links to download a small portion of each song. Download in wma, mp3, or Realaudio format. Titles cover a range of math topics from number lines through the Pythagorean Theorem. Although the CDs are for sale, you can listen to the snippets for free.
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tag(s): decimals (85), exponents (35), integers (21), mean (19), number lines (33), operations (72), percent (59), prime numbers (26), probability (99), pythagorean theorem (19), roman numerals (7)

Prodigy offers engaging interactives for seven to twelve-year-olds to practice their math! Use the anime-style avatars to travel the world and meet wizards and confront challenges. As math skills improve, your characters earn new spells that can be used only when math proficiencies are strengthened and expanded. The activities will differentiate, assigning and reviewing new math skills. Track your success and get help in areas where you are struggling. Some of the instruction videos (for parents and teachers) are hosted on YouTube. If your school blocks YouTube, you may want to familiarize yourself with this site at home.

tag(s): addition (129), division (98), fractions (160), game based learning (205), number sense (69), numbers (120), subtraction (110)

Learningpod offers a large database of free practice test questions. Find free Common Core aligned question sets in English Language Arts and Math for grades 2-8. There are practice sets for standardized tests. Search the database of over 49,000 practice questions. Questions are in "pods" containing 2-12 questions on each of the individual topics. Use your email to create a free account. Assign and share with students by embed code, link, or print in PDF format. Answer keys and explanations are easy to access. Keep track of progress through your account, and view summaries of your results on each pod. View comparisons to how other members fared with the same content.

tag(s): advanced placement (26), test prep (69)