Something to consider when it gets closer to SAT/ACT time...
Math Review for SAT/ACT
http://www.chalkdust.com/satrevout.html
BraveWriter:
http://www.bravewriter.com/program/online-classes/class-list/sat-act/
SAT/ACT Essay Class
Want to beat the odds on the SAT/ACT essay portion of the test? Prepare your kids. The skills they learn here will also translate into the timed writing tests they’ll take over and over in college. Truly, this is a course no high school student should be without.
The SAT/ACT Essay Class is designed for college-bound high school students (10th-12th graders) as preparation for the writing portion of both the SAT and ACT tests. Students write 1-3 essays per week plus special exercises designed to help them succeed in crafting this type of essay. This course trains students to work with their knowledge base (what they already know) while addressing sight-unseen questions.
(NOTE: Students recommended to take the Research Paper class first:
IEW also has a SAT/ACT essay writing program: High School Essay Intensive
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/hse
This seminar presents tools and tips for tackling the timed opinion-based essay as currently included in the SAT exam, and introduces strategies for writing a well-crafted personal essay for a college application. The accompanying CD-ROM contains the .pdf files for both seminar handouts, as well as several bonus files dealing with other aspects of SAT preparation.
Statement from The College Board, Creator of the SAT Test: "Our own research involving the test scores of more than 150,000 students admitted to more than 100 colleges and universities shows that, of all the sections of the SAT, the writing section is the most predictive of college success..
Showing posts with label Math. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Math. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Decimal Street
Decimal Street:
My sons and I played this a lot while they were 3 to 6 yo — making up stories, moving people around, writing out the numbers (5 0 6).. By the time they approached carrying, they knew the how/why and concept of place value, carrying, etc. They also had Decimal Street pictured in their head for mental math problems.
The Story:
The Units Townhouse holds 9 of everything — 9 toothbrushes, 9 plates, 9 forks, 9 beds… (and the story goes on…). Units come to visit. If too many visitors comes, the Tens Moving Truck (a 10 block) comes down and moves them all over to the Tens Apartment with there are also 9 of everything. If too many 10’s come, the Hundreds Moving Truck takes them to the Hundreds Castle. If no one’s home, Mr. Zero looks after the place — he does not move in! If Units need to go to Disney World, a Ten may need to be moved back to the Units Apartment so enough units are there to go.
Materials:
Revised from Math-U-See and sized for Math-U-See manipulatives (which are great for building with and showing negative as well as positive numbers)
Directions:
Print the "decimal_street.pdf" file on cardstock, cut out pieces and glue them to a large poster board. Decorate Decimal Street as the child desires.
Enjoy!
My sons and I played this a lot while they were 3 to 6 yo — making up stories, moving people around, writing out the numbers (5 0 6).. By the time they approached carrying, they knew the how/why and concept of place value, carrying, etc. They also had Decimal Street pictured in their head for mental math problems.
The Story:
The Units Townhouse holds 9 of everything — 9 toothbrushes, 9 plates, 9 forks, 9 beds… (and the story goes on…). Units come to visit. If too many visitors comes, the Tens Moving Truck (a 10 block) comes down and moves them all over to the Tens Apartment with there are also 9 of everything. If too many 10’s come, the Hundreds Moving Truck takes them to the Hundreds Castle. If no one’s home, Mr. Zero looks after the place — he does not move in! If Units need to go to Disney World, a Ten may need to be moved back to the Units Apartment so enough units are there to go.
Materials:
Revised from Math-U-See and sized for Math-U-See manipulatives (which are great for building with and showing negative as well as positive numbers)
Directions:
Print the "decimal_street.pdf" file on cardstock, cut out pieces and glue them to a large poster board. Decorate Decimal Street as the child desires.
Enjoy!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
GREAT add-on for dysgraphia
Being in high school now, my son's dysgraphia is causing all sorts of challenges when it comes to algebra and chemistry. Rewriting a chemical equation to balance it takes long, often brings in more mistakes, and is completely demotivating to him.
From a yahoo group for dysgraphia (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dysgraphia), I found out about this software to make writing math equations, drawing graphs, doing chemical equations and chemical structures much easier:
http://www.efofex.com/
I just downloaded it and it integrates completely into Word. Click on the add-in, type in chemical equations and it automatically formats to subscripts, arrows, superscripts, etc. Amazing! The graphs, math, and chemical structures also are extremely easy to integrate into a Word document.
To get an annual subscription of the entire program (math, drawing, chemistry), it's approximately $150 US per year but with proof of special needs (letter from a school or, for homeschoolers, qualified test results showing learning challenges -- that we have), my son can download it and use it for personal use free for 10 years.
Extremely cool!
From a yahoo group for dysgraphia (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dysgraphia), I found out about this software to make writing math equations, drawing graphs, doing chemical equations and chemical structures much easier:
http://www.efofex.com/
I just downloaded it and it integrates completely into Word. Click on the add-in, type in chemical equations and it automatically formats to subscripts, arrows, superscripts, etc. Amazing! The graphs, math, and chemical structures also are extremely easy to integrate into a Word document.
To get an annual subscription of the entire program (math, drawing, chemistry), it's approximately $150 US per year but with proof of special needs (letter from a school or, for homeschoolers, qualified test results showing learning challenges -- that we have), my son can download it and use it for personal use free for 10 years.
Extremely cool!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
NC Algebra resources
The NC Public School site has some algebra resources that might be worth checking out, including weekly directions for learning the graphing calculator:
Math:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/mathematics/secondary/
Specifically Algebra:
http://mathlearnnc.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4507283&pageId=5849478
Math:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/mathematics/secondary/
Specifically Algebra:
http://mathlearnnc.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4507283&pageId=5849478
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Highschool (and Middleschool) Geometry
I never really did get high school geometry -- I could do it, I got an A, but proving things that have already been proven just for the sake of proving them is really not in my personality.
My son is part way through Algebra 1 and it's time to start thinking about Geometry options for him. Not sure how well he'll do. Though he's much more right brained than I am, and he thinks much more spatially than I do, his analytical skills (& motivation) are not nearly as strong as mine. I think I need to look at several approaches.
This is a great article about Geometry, brain development, and introducing concepts early by Home School Math. It discusses the 5 Van Hiele Levels of geometric understanding that is necessary to successfully get to the understanding of proofs:
http://www.homeschoolmath.net/teaching/geometry.php. Might be worth introducing some of those concepts early!
Middleschool Geometry recommendations to cover basic levels of geometric understanding in a more visual age-appropriate way:
High School Geometry
One of the most common high school geometry texts is Jacobs.
Carnegie Learning (part of Carnegie Mellon for high school math programs) has a Geometry book with online supplement. It looks easy to use with good reasoning. One interesting thing I hadn't realized until going through all these options is that there are no proofs. Is the point of high school geometry and understanding of geometrical thinking or of understanding how to do formal proofs or....?
Teaching Textbooks Geometry is another option -- it does add in proofs. My problem is that for Algebra I and II, I don't think that Teaching Textbooks covers enough. Not sure about Geometry.
(Thinkwell doesn't have Geometry, ChalkDust is $354! VideoText is another option but I've heard some unhappy reviews of its algebra from some people -- not sure learning styles)
My son is part way through Algebra 1 and it's time to start thinking about Geometry options for him. Not sure how well he'll do. Though he's much more right brained than I am, and he thinks much more spatially than I do, his analytical skills (& motivation) are not nearly as strong as mine. I think I need to look at several approaches.
This is a great article about Geometry, brain development, and introducing concepts early by Home School Math. It discusses the 5 Van Hiele Levels of geometric understanding that is necessary to successfully get to the understanding of proofs:
http://www.homeschoolmath.net/teaching/geometry.php. Might be worth introducing some of those concepts early!
Middleschool Geometry recommendations to cover basic levels of geometric understanding in a more visual age-appropriate way:
- Right Start Geometry
- Mammoth Math Geometry (inexpensive e-book)
- Key To.. Geometry
High School Geometry
One of the most common high school geometry texts is Jacobs.
- A review from PA Homeschoolers suggests Jacobs is more for right brained learners than is Saxon, with more visual descriptions, etc.
- In the reviews on Amazon, there is apparently a big difference between the 2nd and 3rd editions, with the 3rd edition being better (click here)
Carnegie Learning (part of Carnegie Mellon for high school math programs) has a Geometry book with online supplement. It looks easy to use with good reasoning. One interesting thing I hadn't realized until going through all these options is that there are no proofs. Is the point of high school geometry and understanding of geometrical thinking or of understanding how to do formal proofs or....?
Teaching Textbooks Geometry is another option -- it does add in proofs. My problem is that for Algebra I and II, I don't think that Teaching Textbooks covers enough. Not sure about Geometry.
(Thinkwell doesn't have Geometry, ChalkDust is $354! VideoText is another option but I've heard some unhappy reviews of its algebra from some people -- not sure learning styles)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Visual Learning Fractions Site
Fractions:
A great visual exploration of multiplication of fractions using rectangles and sliders:
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_194_g_2_t_1.html?from=category_g_2_t_1.html
A great visual exploration of multiplication of fractions using rectangles and sliders:
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_194_g_2_t_1.html?from=category_g_2_t_1.html
Math Options for Elementary
I know preschool and kindergarten is a time to play -- and find learning in everything we do. However, I also know that some kids are really searching for more in certain areas at different stages. And, sometimes a curriculum or a spine or some other framework can provide more sanity for an over-committed Mom who may not have "preschool play" energy!
If I was to look at math philosophy, the closest math curriculum to fit my style would be Math on the Level where students need to cover a certain amount of the concepts but the order and timing is really up to their individual learning styles. Sometimes students are in "fraction mode" and just want to keep exploring fractions way beyond what "2nd grade" fractions entail. Sometimes you need to go with the window that's there and keep moving.
However, it's sometimes more work to be on top of those areas and know what to pull in next, it's often unsettling to go with a completely flexible route --especially for a math-uncertain parent, and many traditional math programs have great aspects to incorporate.
Guess that's why we've used many different programs over the years with my oldest.
Here are some to look at for Early Elementary.
Right Start Math (if one agrees with their math approach, it's worth starting as you mean to go on, rather than re-learn some of the approaches)
Singapore Math -- for $8/workbook, if you have a workbook kid who wants to do more school, this is an inexpensive approach and is great at approaching math concepts in a couple different directions to give a really solid understanding of what's going on.
Moving Beyond the Page -- some of these 5 to 7 yo units look like they'd be a great fit for Jm.
For Bj, we had great success with Math-U-See -- the best parts were: Decimal Street (an amazing intro to adding and subtracting, place value, carrying) and Skip Counting.
If I was to look at math philosophy, the closest math curriculum to fit my style would be Math on the Level where students need to cover a certain amount of the concepts but the order and timing is really up to their individual learning styles. Sometimes students are in "fraction mode" and just want to keep exploring fractions way beyond what "2nd grade" fractions entail. Sometimes you need to go with the window that's there and keep moving.
However, it's sometimes more work to be on top of those areas and know what to pull in next, it's often unsettling to go with a completely flexible route --especially for a math-uncertain parent, and many traditional math programs have great aspects to incorporate.
Guess that's why we've used many different programs over the years with my oldest.
Here are some to look at for Early Elementary.
Right Start Math (if one agrees with their math approach, it's worth starting as you mean to go on, rather than re-learn some of the approaches)
Singapore Math -- for $8/workbook, if you have a workbook kid who wants to do more school, this is an inexpensive approach and is great at approaching math concepts in a couple different directions to give a really solid understanding of what's going on.
Moving Beyond the Page -- some of these 5 to 7 yo units look like they'd be a great fit for Jm.
For Bj, we had great success with Math-U-See -- the best parts were: Decimal Street (an amazing intro to adding and subtracting, place value, carrying) and Skip Counting.
PreK-1 Math Story Books
A set of PreK-1 math books to check out of the library for Jm:
http://www.stuartjmurphy.com/books/level_1/
Lots of science, math, stories -- and accompanying activities on the website.
http://www.stuartjmurphy.com/books/level_1/
Lots of science, math, stories -- and accompanying activities on the website.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Learning Math with Python
The Python Rag -- a newsletter for beginning python users.
http://www.pythonrag.org/
Pythonic Math -- how to teach math using Python (a bit "up there" but interesting...)
http://www.4dsolutions.net/ocn/pymath.html
A forum/discussion about using python to teach math:
http://mail.python.org/pipermail/edu-sig/2009-April/009281.html
There's also a Python Users Meetup group in Raleigh that would be interesting to attend -- or to find out if they would do a career field trip.
http://www.meetup.com/trizpug/
http://www.pythonrag.org/
Pythonic Math -- how to teach math using Python (a bit "up there" but interesting...)
http://www.4dsolutions.net/ocn/pymath.html
A forum/discussion about using python to teach math:
http://mail.python.org/pipermail/edu-sig/2009-April/009281.html
There's also a Python Users Meetup group in Raleigh that would be interesting to attend -- or to find out if they would do a career field trip.
http://www.meetup.com/trizpug/
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Algebra options
My son is currently using Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1. It was going OK for awhile. He really liked TT PreAlgebra last year, and it was, in fact, the first math text we ever used for a whole year and finished. The combination of video and math worksheets was a hit. I wondered if we ever would get through one entire text as he likes to work with different approaches to topics and has never been willing to take the same approach for more than a month or two at a time. Over the years we've played with math, done some Math-U-See, Singapore Math, Key To's, a Canadian math series, math games, Ed Helper worksheets, Mammoth Math, etc.
However, he seems to be hitting a wall with TT Algebra. Not that there is an identifiable concept problem, just that he doesn't seem to be internalizing WHY he's doing things. There are many errors, and answers just don't work out "right." I would prefer him to figure it out and understand why, not just memorize steps and I'm not sure TT will get us there.
We did a free month of Aleks in December. Worked GREAT! (Highschool prep for Algebra -- he finished it all). However, we aren't picking up math successfully again after that -- TT's doesn't seem to be a good fit, Aleks... don't know. He liked some of it but felt the explanation of new topics wasn't as good as TT. Decided to try paying for a month of Aleks to try Algebra 1. He scored 84 out of 288 of the topics in the initial assessment. I'm also having him read "Algebra Unplugged" for a qualitative filler to Algebra. Not really sure what the problem is (maybe it's me???). I do think we need to play more with algebra to really get what the problems are. Hard to find the time and brain cells to do that with him.
SO, here are some options:
Key To Algebra: http://www.keypress.com/x5205.xml
Benefit: We've worked through Key To's for fractions, decimals, geometry over the years and it's gone well. Straight forward. Not busy. Step through. However, is the Algebra approach enough "play" and understanding of real-life uses of algebra?
Discovering Algebra: An Investigative Approach: http://www.keypress.com/x5265.xml
I like the investigative part. It looks interesting. The first edition is available for about $15. Bj says it looks interesting. I like that it uses a graphing calculator to get those skills well ingrained early. My hesitation is that it's lots of investigating (with my learning style, I would have HATED it -- just tell me how to do it and I'll do it... of course, his learning style is much different). I'm also not sure about deviating so much -- will we lose some important "skill based" learning or will it be more than made up for by him figuring out some of the concepts in a much stronger way.
Hippocampus: http://www.hippocampus.org/Algebra Some video, some text, some multimedia, free... A definite alternative to consider.
Kinetic Books: http://kineticbooks.com/ Saw this on a loop this week and hmmmm... looks like it has great potential. Online text with lots of problem solving and multimedia. Price isn't bad. Is there enough "worksheet" work so he will get used to that skill as well?
Saxon, Chalkdust, some of the more traditional textbooks -- not really that interested. He is not a strong textbook learner. Nor is he quick at doing problems. Both of those really stress the problems. That's all we'd do -- and his learning would not be any better, I don't think.
And help for algebra:
http://www.algebrahelp.com/
However, he seems to be hitting a wall with TT Algebra. Not that there is an identifiable concept problem, just that he doesn't seem to be internalizing WHY he's doing things. There are many errors, and answers just don't work out "right." I would prefer him to figure it out and understand why, not just memorize steps and I'm not sure TT will get us there.
We did a free month of Aleks in December. Worked GREAT! (Highschool prep for Algebra -- he finished it all). However, we aren't picking up math successfully again after that -- TT's doesn't seem to be a good fit, Aleks... don't know. He liked some of it but felt the explanation of new topics wasn't as good as TT. Decided to try paying for a month of Aleks to try Algebra 1. He scored 84 out of 288 of the topics in the initial assessment. I'm also having him read "Algebra Unplugged" for a qualitative filler to Algebra. Not really sure what the problem is (maybe it's me???). I do think we need to play more with algebra to really get what the problems are. Hard to find the time and brain cells to do that with him.
SO, here are some options:
Key To Algebra: http://www.keypress.com/x5205.xml
Benefit: We've worked through Key To's for fractions, decimals, geometry over the years and it's gone well. Straight forward. Not busy. Step through. However, is the Algebra approach enough "play" and understanding of real-life uses of algebra?
Discovering Algebra: An Investigative Approach: http://www.keypress.com/x5265.xml
I like the investigative part. It looks interesting. The first edition is available for about $15. Bj says it looks interesting. I like that it uses a graphing calculator to get those skills well ingrained early. My hesitation is that it's lots of investigating (with my learning style, I would have HATED it -- just tell me how to do it and I'll do it... of course, his learning style is much different). I'm also not sure about deviating so much -- will we lose some important "skill based" learning or will it be more than made up for by him figuring out some of the concepts in a much stronger way.
Hippocampus: http://www.hippocampus.org/Algebra Some video, some text, some multimedia, free... A definite alternative to consider.
Kinetic Books: http://kineticbooks.com/ Saw this on a loop this week and hmmmm... looks like it has great potential. Online text with lots of problem solving and multimedia. Price isn't bad. Is there enough "worksheet" work so he will get used to that skill as well?
Saxon, Chalkdust, some of the more traditional textbooks -- not really that interested. He is not a strong textbook learner. Nor is he quick at doing problems. Both of those really stress the problems. That's all we'd do -- and his learning would not be any better, I don't think.
And help for algebra:
http://www.algebrahelp.com/
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Free Online Classes from Carnegie Melon
Carnegie Melon also has some free online courses -- though the choices are limited and you sign up for the entire course:
https://oli.web.cmu.edu/openlearning/
Open & Free Courses
We do not provide any certification or verification of completion. If you would like to receive credit or certification for completing the course, you need to make arrangements with your local institution. See some tips on how you can get credit.
No instructors, no credits, no charge.
Use these self-guiding materials and activities to learn at your own pace!
Find a course you are interested in and click on "Get Started". If you want to keep track of your progress, sign in or create a new account. Otherwise click on "Look inside".
Topics:
* Engineering Statics
* Statistics
* Causal and Statistical Reasoning
* Modern Biology
* Chemistry
* Economics
* French
* Logic & Proofs
* Physics
* Empirical Research Methods
* Computational Discrete Mathematics
* Visual Communication Design
https://oli.web.cmu.edu/openlearning/
Open & Free Courses
We do not provide any certification or verification of completion. If you would like to receive credit or certification for completing the course, you need to make arrangements with your local institution. See some tips on how you can get credit.
No instructors, no credits, no charge.
Use these self-guiding materials and activities to learn at your own pace!
Find a course you are interested in and click on "Get Started". If you want to keep track of your progress, sign in or create a new account. Otherwise click on "Look inside".
Topics:
* Engineering Statics
* Statistics
* Causal and Statistical Reasoning
* Modern Biology
* Chemistry
* Economics
* French
* Logic & Proofs
* Physics
* Empirical Research Methods
* Computational Discrete Mathematics
* Visual Communication Design
Free Online Math Videos
An amazing group of free youtube videos on various math topics -- from pre-algebra all the way up through differential equations, physics, finance, economics, trig, linear programming, etc.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
From the website:
The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere.
We have 800+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to differential equations, physics, and finance which have been recorded by Salman Khan. He has also developed a free, adaptive math program available here.
The entire video library is shown below. Just click on a category or video title to start learning from the Khan Academy!
Calculus | Precalculus | Trigonometry | Algebra | Finance | Pre-algebra | Arithmetic | Geometry | Physics | SAT Preparation | Probability | Linear Algebra | Differential Equations | Credit Crisis | Banking and Money | Paulson Bailout | California Standards Test: Algebra II | California Standards Test: Algebra I | California Standards Test: Geometry | Venture Capital and Capital Markets | Statistics | Geithner Plan | Current Economics
http://www.khanacademy.org/
From the website:
The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere.
We have 800+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to differential equations, physics, and finance which have been recorded by Salman Khan. He has also developed a free, adaptive math program available here.
The entire video library is shown below. Just click on a category or video title to start learning from the Khan Academy!
Calculus | Precalculus | Trigonometry | Algebra | Finance | Pre-algebra | Arithmetic | Geometry | Physics | SAT Preparation | Probability | Linear Algebra | Differential Equations | Credit Crisis | Banking and Money | Paulson Bailout | California Standards Test: Algebra II | California Standards Test: Algebra I | California Standards Test: Geometry | Venture Capital and Capital Markets | Statistics | Geithner Plan | Current Economics
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Let's Play Math
Let's Play Math: Lots of math info, blog, handout, rabbit trails to follow -- and a clean layout!
http://letsplaymath.wordpress.com/
http://letsplaymath.wordpress.com/
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Stock Market Game
Opens February 9 -- this year or next year is the question!!!! Maybe this year has a better window? I'd need to get started!
Here are some workshops coming up:
http://www.nccee.org/workshops
The Stock Market game described:
http://www.stockmarketgame.org/teachers.shtml
Here are some workshops coming up:
http://www.nccee.org/workshops
The Stock Market game described:
http://www.stockmarketgame.org/teachers.shtml
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Because it's there...
Why would I try to start a blog at this time? It's there... that's all I can say. It's certainly not because I've got lots of time on my hands. I also don't know if I'm doing it for me as a form of diary and making sense of the world or for someone else.
I think I'll start with regular lists of books being read and websites open -- just to see where it goes...
Labels
I think I'll start with regular lists of books being read and websites open -- just to see where it goes...
Labels
| A | General |
| B | Blog |
| C | |
| D | |
| E | Inspiration -- inspirational to gain a better appreciation of life |
| F | Organization -- organizing life, record keeping, etc. |
| G | Books -- books being read, book recommendations |
| H | Resources |
| I | Travel |
| J | |
| K | |
| L | Highschool |
| M | Middle School |
| N | Elementary School |
| O | Preschool |
| P | |
| Q | Development |
| R | Math |
| S | Language Arts |
| T | Science |
| U | Social Studies |
| V | Robotics |
| W | Electives |
| X | |
| Y | |
| Z |
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