Teacher Resource Database | Teacher Planning Resources | Various Resources that can be added to | Time Varies | For Teachers
A database of random teacher resources. It can be searched, sorted, and added to.
Free Rice | Individual Student Practice | Multiplication or Pre-Algebra Math Practice | 5 - 20 min. | Grades 3 - 8
Freerice.com is a great way for students to practice multiplication facts and some pre-algebra facts. The answers are multiple choice, which can lead to some guessing occasionally, but the site does keep track of streaks of correct answers. As an added bonus, every question answer correctly donates 10 grains of rice to feeding those in need world wide. My one criticism of this site, it is easy for students to choose a non-math category and make it seem like they practicing math facts. I would recommend this math practice opportunity to students who are able to stay focused and need repetitive multiplication fact practice.
NY Times Set Game | Whole Class | Grouping shapes based on their characteristics | 10 - 30 min. | Grades 6 - 12
Set is a game that challenges whomever is playing to categorize what is on the card based on color, shape, amount, and shading. It requires critical thinking, and attention to detail. It could also be used as an introductory activity to abstract algebra. I used to play it with cards, but since I’ve found the game on the NY Times it is great to play with the whole class on Smartboard. My one criticism, some school districts block NY Times website (for legitimate reasons) and as a result block this game as well. I would recommend this puzzle to a teacher needing a 5 to 10 minute activity where the whole class is engaged and working together promoting critical thinking skills.
Situational Puzzles | Whole Class | A puzzle limited by Yes or No questions | 10 - 30 min. | Grade 6 - 8
Situational Puzzles are wonderful five to ten minute puzzles that promote critical thinking. I give my students the situation and they ask me yes or no questions to try and figure out what happened. I also reserve the right to answer, ‘not relevant.’ The list is a little outdated and the site could be formatted a little neater, but the content is good. I would also warn teachers to pre-read the choices, some of them are not appropriate for younger kids.
NCTM: Calculation Nation | Individual Student Practice | Math games that actually have to do with Math | 5 - 20 min. | Grade 2 - 8
Math games is a term that gets used very loosely, especially on the internet. This is one of the few good sites that actually has fun games that reinforce specific math skills. You need to sign up for a free account or you can click the guest pass option. My one criticism is that I wish it was easier to figure out what math skill the game what reinforcing without having to go in and play it yourself. I would use these for students who need extra practice or are looking for an enrichment opportunity - depending on the game.
XtraMath | Individual Student Practice | Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide Single Digit Number Practice | 5 - 15 min. | Grade 1 - 8
Xtramath is a free site that tracks students’ progress in calculating one-digit arithmetic problems. It does require teacher setup and an account of their own, but once it is set up teachers can login to track individual student progress and even change the difficulty settings. I would use this in a supplemental math class, with SPED students, or with students who just need a little more practice. My criticism, the site is not eye-catching or visually appealing to students. This may be a plus to some people, but I think student buy-in, however we can get it, is important.
CCSS Math Activities | Teacher Planning Resource | Engaging Activities to Enrich Math Content | 30 - 60 min. | Grade K - 12
I use this site whenever I’m looking to take a math concept that might seem boring to students and ‘spice’ it up a little. The engaging activities are wonderful and the ready-made Performance Tasks are extremely helpful when I need to practice that skill with my students. I enjoy everything about this site!
NCTM: Illuminations, Brain Teasers | Whole Class Activity | Fun Challenges to get Students Thinking | Grade 6 - 12
NCTM’s brain teasers are great because they submit a new one every week. I love doing these as a warm-up activity for the whole class. They also promote peer discussion and critical thinking skills. The search option is a little cumbersome and some of the puzzles are very difficult, but with a little searching you can usually find a good one.
Illustrative Mathematics | Teacher Planning Resource | A guide for understanding State Math Standards | Time Varies | Grade K - 12
This site is a great resource for teachers. I will confess that there are standards I am supposed to teach that I don’t always fully understand. This site lets me look up individual standards and see specific examples of the type of problem that fits the standard. I use this site when I need to make sure I am completely in sync with the specific grade level standards. It is also great for looking back (or forward) at other grades’ standards.
PBS Learning | Whole Class or Individual Student Practice | A collection of resources for comprehension and engagement | Grade K - 12
This site has great interactive tutorials, videos and games for the various grade level standards. The activities often relate to the PBS shows’ characters. There are several activities and finding a good one can take time and often requires you to view or try them out. I do like the real-life connections that some of the activities provide. There are also problem set pages linked to the activities.
Estimation 180 | Whole Class Activity | A fun way to build number sense with students | 10 - 20 min. | Grade 3 - 8
Desmos Graphing Calculator | Whole Class or Individual Student Resource | An online graphing calculator | Time Varies | Grade 6 - 12
This site provides an online graphing calculator. This could be very helpful for 8th grade math where graphing linear functions is a major standard they cover. For 7th grade, I could see using this for connecting proportional relationship functions to their graphs. Students would have fun exploring different functions and be able to make connections between graphs when they change certain parts, like the coefficient.
Cross Section Flyer | Whole Class or Individual Student Resource | 2D Shapes From Cross Sections Of 3D Shapes | 10 - 20 min | Grade 7 - 12
This site provides a great visual for the 7th grade lesson involving the 2D shapes generated from slicing through 3D solids. The site gives much more information than 7th grade students would ever need, but it can be used for the simpler 7th grade standard as well. It also provides great visuals for teachers, like myself, who find drawing cross sections very difficult. I wish the site provided a cube as one of the shapes.
Which One Doesn’t Belong | Whole Class Activity | Which option does not belong - not always one right answer | 5 - 15 min. | Grade 3 - 12
This site gives for mathematical ‘things’ for lack of a better word, and asks students to find one that doesn’t belong. I love these because there is no one right answer and they generate good conversations. Add this to having students explain why they chose what they did and you have a makings of a good problem solving question. They also work well for math warm-up activities.
Graphing Stories | Whole Class Activity | Quick common activities that provide graphs | 10 - 20 min. | Grade 5 - 10
This site provides quick 15 to 30 second videos and asks students to graph them. The video helps the students set up their axes and then shows the video and asks them to predict what the graph would look like. It also shows the answer at the end so make sure to pause it at the appropriate time.
Fun Brain | Individual Student Practice | Math Games that actually have to do with math | 10 - 30 min. | Grade K - 8
FunBrain games provide good games with opportunities to reinforce skills, however, not all the games on this site provide educational value. Some are better than others. I have also noticed that the games graphics are lacking and seem outdated. I’m not sure if this site is being maintained, but in my opinion, it needs a graphical makeover. There are some good games, but it takes a little time evaluating which ones are worth while.