Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

MathDoku is a mathematical and logical puzzle based on "KenKen" and loosely similar to sudoku. Puzzles can be solved by combining the four main mathematical functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Difficulty levels of the puzzles can be chosen from random, easy, medium, or hard and hints can be accessed to help solve puzzles. Size of puzzles can also be chosen from 6X6, 8X8, or a printable version. This site does include some unobtrusive advertisements.

tag(s): addition (129), division (98), multiplication (122), problem solving (233), subtraction (110)

Math tricks and tools fill this easy to use site. Find a list of all prime numbers up to 100 and a conversion chart for fractions to decimals to percent. Tricks include Calendar Math which gives a formula for finding the day of the week someone was born based on their birth date, 73 which gives a formula for always finding an answer of 73 to a problem, and Two Too which provides a simple formula for always finding an answer of two after choosing any number. This site does include some unobtrusive advertisements.

tag(s): mental math (19)

Several familiar "games" are offered with an animal twist: Penguin Quest, Zoodoku, Super Trivia, Crossword, Bedazzled, and Matching. This site, created by Minnesota Zoo, also has links for teachers under "Education."

tag(s): animals (294), logic (161), puzzles (149)

This site offers practice with math and challenging problems for all grade levels. If you teach math to grades 1-12, this site is a MUST SEE. It contains a graduated set of over 1,000 problems starting from very easy and working up to very difficult levels. Each problem contains a short description and an image to help visualize the problem. Problems adapt to the skill of the person answering problems, grade levels cannot be increased until 5 correct problems in a row have been solved. The tests concentrate on understanding, spatial reasoning, and problem solving rather than math rules and theorems.

tag(s): decimals (85), fractions (160), logic (161), operations (72), order of operations (29), test prep (69)

This site contains many visual explanations of Math topics including interactive practice activities. Each explanation begins with a definition of the topic (such as adding or subtracting fractions), then moves on to practicing the skill with the interactive pieces. Practice activities at the end of each topic are very visually appealing and will appeal to most students. One of the most useful portions of the site is the glossary which contains definitions of many Math terms along with examples of the terms in use.

tag(s): charts and graphs (171), fractions (160), integers (21), puzzles (149), statistics (121)

Students of all ages will find this site challenging and entertaining. The site includes thirteen different types of games to challenge and stretch the brain. These "Brain Games" are placed into the categories of picture logic and number logic.

tag(s): logic (161), puzzles (149), sudoku (10), symmetry (26)

This site provides tutorials and free puzzles for the game of KenKen. KenKen is similar to Soduku; however, it has the added complication of requiring number combinations (using operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to fit within bolded boxes. The site has an excellent illustrated tutorial on how to play the game located at the "How to Play" link. Teachers can sign up for the free newsletter and receive free puzzles. There are several free puzzles on the site. Much of the site is devoted to selling puzzle books (so you will notice some advertisements); however, there are many free puzzles and the tutorial makes it worth a visit. Also available is an iphone app that can be downloaded to receive more puzzles.

tag(s): addition (129), division (98), logic (161), multiplication (122), puzzles (149), subtraction (110), vision (44)

This site provides a daily "wonder" in the form of a question for students to think about. Parents and teachers can choose a topic by category or by day. Each question is accompanied by a video, questions to think about, links and activities that students can do. Click on the "Wonders" link to see a list of archived daily "wonders."

tag(s): creativity (86), enrichment (13)

This site is part of the Mathtrain.com Project and was created to host student-created math video lessons all in one place. It was created by Mr. Marcos and his students at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica, CA. Videos are searchable by topic or by most viewed, most recent, or most discussed. The site is highly interactive and has an option to subscribe to their free podcast through ITunes. In addition to the student-created videos, there are also teacher-created videos with explanations on different math topics. Most videos are under 2 minutes in length making them perfect to use for introduction or review with different math topics. This site runs in conjunction with mathtrain.com.

tag(s): equations (119), podcasts (108)

This site provides excellent practice with different Math strands. Topics include numbers (place value, number lines, estimation), algebra, addition/subtraction, problem solving, and more. After choosing a topic, various choices are offered. Key vocabulary is presented along with a short video explanation of the topic. In addition to the video, there is an option to test your own ability. Each topic can also be printed to use in the classroom and there is a link to related "jams" Be sure to check out the "Jams" sure to excite your students to learn new skills in a musical manner.

tag(s): problem solving (233)

This site provides the opportunity to explore Venn Diagrams through the use of shapes. Different ways to create the diagrams are provided by choosing one or two circles and choices of circle placement. With the "Guess the Rule" option, players try to find the rule based on shapes that are allowed into the design. The learner area provides a background on Venn diagrams and how they might be used in everyday living. The instructor area provides printable exploration questions, links to standards, classroom preparation tips, and links to similar resources.

tag(s): logic (161), problem solving (233)

This site provides practice in introducing sequences, allowing students to create sequences by varying the starting number, multiplier, or add-on, reinforce previously obtained knowledge regarding the behavior of sequences, and practice computational skills. Be sure to check out the learner and instructor areas for valuable explanations. The learner area includes a detailed explanation of the activity and sequences. The instructor area provides links to standards, information about questions that may arise in the classroom, and links to additional resources. In addition, there is a downloadable sheet of exploration questions to be used in the classroom.

tag(s): equations (119), functions (52), operations (72), patterns (61)

This site provides practice with the order of operations. User options include choices of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, and parenthesis. Different levels are provided for use of whole numbers only and 3 different skill levels. There is also a timer that can be set from 10 to 60 seconds or can be turned off for an unlimited time on the quiz. The learner tab provides some examples and equations using the order of operations. Be sure to check out the instructor tab which includes links to standards, some alignment to textbooks, issues that may arise in the classroom, and links to similar resources.

tag(s): addition (129), exponents (35), numbers (120), operations (72), order of operations (29), subtraction (110), whole numbers (9)

This site offers practice in estimating skills through different visual comparisons. Problems are available in counting, length and area. Two comparisons are shown and then selection will be made based on the question posed with the problem. Hints are available and there are two different levels of difficulty available. Tabs are also included with information for the learner, activity help, and information for instructors. Be sure to check out the information for instructors which include suggestions on how to use in the classroom, an activity sheet, links to standards, and other similar resources.

tag(s): estimation (33), problem solving (233), test prep (69)

This activity works well for explorations with clock (modular) arithmetic. The clock can be adjusted from 2 to 24 hours, then the number of elapsed hours can be entered to determine the current time. Be sure to check out the instructor tab which provides a link to a student worksheet, indicates alignment to some state standards, suggested classroom uses, and offers similar resources.

tag(s): time (91)

Word Games has compiled many of the web's best word games into one resource. Games are categorized in several different ways such as typing, word search, puzzles, and others. In addition, the newest and most popular games are identified for easy access. Facebook users can "like" the site and receive daily games to play. This site provides varied activities to help increase word skills at many different levels. Navigate carefully as this site has many advertisements! But the great interactives make it worth the hassle.

tag(s): logic (161), puzzles (149), sudoku (10)

This website can generate random, thought provoking math facts. Or, it can be searched by type of math and level of fact difficulty. While most math content is high school level, some of the easier problems may be used with seventh and eighth grades. The search option appears to save time if you are looking for a specific variety of math such as calculus. Although this site is rather "plain vanilla" and does include some unobtrusive ads, it is definitely worth adding to your math collection!

tag(s): brain (56)

This site provides practice with linear functions through the use of a function machine. Options include use of addition or multiplication and use of integers from 0 to 10. The learner section provides a great background on linear functions and how they are used with higher level mathematics such as calculus. There is a detailed help area that provides instructions on how to use the function machine. Be sure to check out the instructor area that includes standards addressed, classroom ideas, links to similar resources and a printable exploration questions that can be used in the classroom.

tag(s): functions (52), logic (161), patterns (61)

This site provides practice with identifying patterns using a table and chairs visual. Practice involves exploration, where the student chooses the length and arrangement of the table (straight line or rectangle) or guess based on the random image generated. Be sure to check out the in-depth explanation on the learner portion of the website. The instructor area includes a description, links to standards, classroom information and links to similar resources. Exploration questions can be downloaded for classroom use.

tag(s): equations (119), logic (161), patterns (61), problem solving (233)

This activity allows the user to estimate quantities and sizes including the number of objects in a set, the lengths of a curve, and the area of a shape. Many options are available for exploration - the size of the curve can be changed, problem type can be changed and there are 2 levels of difficulties. The learner section explains the activity as well as discusses how estimation is used in everyday life. In addition to a description of the activity, the instruction section provides possible issues to address in the classroom, links to standards, and links to other similar resources.

tag(s): estimation (33), measurement (122)