CYSD Math

Turn on any cable news network talk show and you'll hear plenty of pundits putting forth their ideas for fixing the federal budget. But which ideas or combinations of ideas will work best is hard (impossible?) to determine. So that you can try your hand and fixing the federal budget The New York Times offers an interactive budget puzzle. Budget Puzzle: You Fix the Budget presents users with the projected budget shortfalls of 2015 and 2030. Users then have to make selections from a long list of budget cuts and or tax increases to close the shortfalls. One way that the Budget Puzzle could be used in a classroom is to have students try various combinations of cuts and tax increases to close the budget shortfalls. After developing what they think are the best solutions you can have students debate the merits of each other's plans.

"In Teaching Kids Real Math With Computers Conrad Wolfram claims that the hand calculations most math curricula requires is irrelevant to most real world mathematics applications. Wolfram argues that students should instead be taught to apply mathematics to computer programming. Wolfram points out that problems aren't dumbed-down by computers and, in fact, can be made more challenging by computer programming. Wolfram also claims that the real problem with current mathematics instruction is that "we have dumbed-down" problems. I can't say that I agree with everything Wolfram says, but he will make you think about about instruction. Watch the video below."

Using Google Earth in Math

Google Squared takes a category and creates a starter 'square' of information, automatically fetching and organizing facts from across the web.

"The Kidspiration activities/templates cover the following topics: comparing, equal groups, measurement, patterns, place value, and sorting. Teachers pick a different concept and spend 1 month using the Kidspiration activities/templates. Within each concept there are 4 to 9 different activities that are differentiated chronolocially. All children have an opportunity to work with the activities and meet grade level requirements for math. Those students who show success with the grade level templates can continue to the differentiated templates for extension of the concept areas. "

Plus is an internet magazine which aims to introduce readers to the beauty and the practical applications of mathematics.

"FUN projects you can use in your classroom, using FREE Google SketchUp software"

"Winter Math Activities"

"Here is our collection of interactive whiteboard games for educators on PBS KIDS. Students will enjoy participating in these collaborative, fun and engaging experiences, while exploring curriculum from trusted programs such as Curious George, Super Why and Arthur. Like our programs, all of our games are age-appropriate and vetted by educators."

Practice in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, including difficulty levels far beyond basic facts. Free unlimited access for classrooms!

"CarrotSticks is an online multiplayer game that improves math skills for 1st - 5th graders as they practice and compete with peers around the world!"

teaching aide for measurement