Isometric Drawing Tool (Illuminations website)

This is the site I introduced to the group of teachers who attended the last MCS session at Edgewood.

http://illuminations.nctm.org

Similar to the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives site, this site can be used as a resource for a variety of topics.

I highlighted the Isometric Drawing Tool during our session.  You can access this tool through the Activities tab.  Once you're on this page, you can do a search for Isometric Drawings:

Once you're at the Isometric Drawing Tool page,  the site provides a variety of supports such as:

- instructions (feel free to print this off and give it to your students to explore the tool)

- exploration activities

Here is an example of an exploration activity:

The site does have a unit using the tool but please refer to your curriculum document to ensure the activities align with your expectations.

Here's the link to the entire unit:

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L607

Students should be given time to explore how to use this and any other virtual manipulative before using them to solve problems.  You can encourage students to visit the site from home as well!

Here are the problems I shared with the group during our session:

Geometry Problems - Isometric Drawings 

If you try these problems with your class, let us know how it goes!

Computing Technology for Mathematics Excellence

Below is a website that was shared with me recently by a Math Goddess!

http://www.ct4me.net/


It's an excellent site loaded with links different types of elementary math lessons, applets and projects. 


There's a great page on manipulatives and the role virtual manipulatives play in the mathematics classroom:

http://www.ct4me.net/math_manipulatives.htm 

In addition, here's a link to a great article by Douglas H. Clements: 


Concrete Manipulatives', Concrete Ideas. http://gse.buffalo.edu/org/buildingblocks/Newsletters/Concrete_Yelland.htm 


There are parts in this article, particularly regarding the role of the teacher in planning and implementing programs that embed virtual manipulatives, that you might find interesting.


I would love to hear your thoughts about the contents of these articles and your work with virtual manipulatives.

How to capture a screen shot

Getting students to capture a screen shot of their online work is one way for them to have a record of what they did.

Grab is a utility that is already on your Mac!  It allows students to capture their work and save it as a picture.  Students can then insert the picture in a Word document and write about it.

Sample problem:  

How many different triangles can you create that has an area of 1 squared unit?  Describe the triangles you created.

Here are some instructions I found on an Apple support website.  The language is fairly friendly so you can actually give students a copy.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vjZ8q-V5kBSBXe3in0I9snVih78WmWrSs1WShPzVkqE/edit?hl=en&authkey=CKKq8IkN

Grab is also great for you!  Think of all the images you can save and use to make up worksheets, posters etc.

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

This is the site I introduced to the group of teachers who attended the MCS session on January 24 at Edgewood.

http://nlvm.usu.edu

This site is truly amazing! You can literally spend hours just exploring the different tools that are available to use.

I highlighted the virtual geoboard manipulative during our session.  Students can use this tool to solve perimeter and area problems.

Here are some sample explorations and problems:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_YrpITfs0DhYWQ4NzNmMDctOTRhYy00MzIxLWFhNTUtZDllY2EyNmQwM2Y5&hl=en&authkey=COCgxsQK

The best thing about this virtual manipulative (at least to me!) is that students who aren't using the laptops can use the 'real thing' to follow along as well.  

You can also use the virtual geoboards to perform rotations.  Here are some sample explorations and problems:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_YrpITfs0DhY2NlOGI2MzYtMTgzZS00ZDAxLWExNGYtYmRiM2JmNjE0OWI1&hl=en&authkey=CNirxJ8F

Students should be given time to explore how to use this and any other virtual manipulative before using them to solve problems.  You can encourage students to visit the site from home as well!

If you try these problems with your class, let us know how it goes!

Statistics Canada Website

This website has a wealth of authentic data across Canada that students can use during the Data Management unit.

It also has lesson plans and resources for teachers too!

Here's the path to get to the good stuff:

1.  http://www.statcan.gc.ca
2. Click on 'Students and Teachers"
3. Click on 'Teachers"
4. Click on 'Mathematics' from the list of subjects.
5. Select 'Grades 6 to 8"
6.  Browse through the various lessons and resources.
7. Click on 'Data' to see the Summary of Canadian Results for 2009-2010".  Data for Canada and each province is provided.

There's also a Kidzone section as well as a section for Students.

I look forward to hearing your experiences using this site and all this great data to teach math.

Supports Needed

What supports do you need to implement this project?

Specifically, which area you would like support in? Using the techonology or creating rich mathematical learning experiences?

Challenges and Possible Solutions

What challenges are you experiencing with the implementation of the laptops?  Please share any solutions you've discovered along the way!

Exploration Time!

Before students can see the Macbooks as tools for learning mathematics, they must have time to explore the different features and programs.

What activities have you used to allow your students to explore the features of the Macbooks?

Strategies for Success

What strategies have you used to successful integrate the laptops in your math program?

Here are some topics you might want to consider commenting on:
- security of laptops
- students handling of laptops
- students using the laptops (e.g., groups or individuals?)
- lesson planning
- use of the 3-part lesson plan with the laptops

Welcome!

Welcome Mobile Computing Strategy Teachers!


The blog is intended for anyone in SE2 to share aspects of the initiative with each other.  You can share your successes, challenges, and questions with each other as you implement the use of the laptops.  You don't have to identify yourself.  You can choose the 'Anonymous' feature for comments.


Once we identify demonstration classrooms, I will also post pictures of the lessons etc.  In the meantime, look around!  There are great things happening in SE2!