ReadWriteThink.org

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/01/2012 - 09:22

Excellent quality site with classroom and parent resources. Some topics are covered only generally, but many have concrete and immediately useful content. The first one I checked out was the 'Hink Pink' - a word game in which one player gives a two word clue for a two word rhyme, like 'fake cash' for 'funny money'. See http://readwritethink.org

Best Books for Reading Aloud (6-8yrs)

Submitted by admin on Mon, 12/19/2011 - 23:17
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Summary: 

Some books are enjoyable to read aloud, some are absorbing...and some are just a trip. Best books to read aloud to early elementary school age kids:

BFG (Big Friendly Giant) by Roald Dahl

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Down to Grade/Age: 
Kindergarten
Up thru Grade/Age: 
3rd Grade

Scratch with Friends

Submitted by admin on Mon, 05/16/2011 - 13:52
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My 6 year old came up with this one: invite your friends to each add a character to a game, and see what happens.

1/3

Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/18/2011 - 10:28
Summary: 

Here is another opportunity for discovery: one-third. For kids who have learned how to divide and get decimals (or show a child briefly who has learned long division and knows what decimals are). Ask simply, what is one-third in decimal?

The discovery that 1/3 = .33333333... the repeating decimal, is surprising enough on its own for a child who has never seen an infinite series before. What usually will tweak their curiousity, though, is to continue - ok, what is 2/3? Then wait a moment, and see if they think of 3/3 by themselves. The idea that 3/3 = .999999999... may get the child saying, wait a minute - 3/3 = 1!

Down to Grade/Age: 
4th Grade
Up thru Grade/Age: 
5th Grade

Zeroth power

Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/08/2011 - 10:53
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Summary: 

For kids who have been introduced to exponents but haven't been taught specifically about what it means to take 'N to the zero power', this is an opportunity for a small 'Aha!' moment.

If a child already knows what is ten to the 2 (102 = 10 * 10 = 100) and 101 = 10, ask them what is 100.

Let them think a bit. Many kids will answer 'zero'. Ask, well, then what is zero times 10? If its not 101, then that can't be right.

Explain that 100 must be the thing that you multiply by 10 to get 101. This should be enough of a clue that they realize that 10 to the zero is 1.

Down to Grade/Age: 
5th Grade
Up thru Grade/Age: 
Middle School

"Aha!"

Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/08/2011 - 10:48

Every kid can potentially make the same exciting discoveries that Archimedes, Galileo, Pythagorus and other greats did - with a bit of guidance and preparation. Every kid won't make every discovery, but look for opportunities to prepare the groundwork, guide and let loose so they can have the fun of figuring out something fundamental for themselves.

How many days in your week? (or, modulo arithmetic..)

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 12:23
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Summary: 

Here is a fun way to introduce kids to the concept of modulus (without ever saying the word): ask, why does a week have 7 days? Suppose you could change it - how many days would you put in the week? Then ask some questions about 'in X days, what day would it be?'

It helps to ask the child to consider the days as being named by number at first, to look at the patterns, starting with Zero-day and continuing as One-day, Two-day (which conveniently becomes Tuesday if Sunday is Zero-day), etc.

Start with simple questions like "So if your week has 5 days, and today is Three-day, what day will it be in 6 days?"

Make sure to ask several with the modulus "If your week has 4 days, and today is Zero-day, what day will it be in 4 days? 8 days? 16 days?"

Middle School Math Assessment Tests

Submitted by admin on Sun, 03/06/2011 - 11:01

6th Grade Math Assessment
7th Grade Math Assessment
NOTE: the '_' symbol on problems #3 and #4 is meant to be a X (multiplication sign). Make sure to fix this on the printout before your child thinks there is a new arithmetic symbol she never learned!

from Mathematics Education @ Northern Kentucky University / Kentucky Center for Mathematics

Middle School Math Assessments

Submitted by admin on Sun, 03/06/2011 - 10:58
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Summary: 

Standardized tests are part of the reality of modern schools, and although justifiably criticized they can also be a useful teaching tool. Ask your kids to take the test for their grade levels, without help, explaining that this is just a way to see what they might need help with and what they already understand. Tell them not to guess, but just circle any problem they don't understand.

After the test is complete, make a list of all the problems each child missed or circled. If they missed more than 2 or 3 problems, plan to work on a few at a time over a period of several days.

For each missed problem, do NOT tell the child how to do it - you want them to retake the test on their own later and figure it out for themselves. Instead, make several similar problems, including some with easier numbers, and have them work on the similar problems, with help if necessary, until they can work the problems independently.

Down to Grade/Age: 
Middle School
Up thru Grade/Age: 
Middle School

Build a Solid Foundation

Submitted by admin on Sun, 03/06/2011 - 10:46

Algebra was invented by Arabs but sounds like Greek to kids who are not clear on the concepts under the equations. Its not that kids shouldn't be taught algebra - its just that its necessary to make sure they are building on a solid foundation and 'owning' each concept as they move ahead. Likewise, while a motivated kid might read Twilight or Harry Potter before a passing a fascinating standardized test at the same reading level, it is also important not to discourage new readers by presenting them with work at frustration level.
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