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Are you confused by terms that educators use? The ASCD Lexicon of Learning might be what you need.

 

 

 

Math Resources

Elementary and Middle Levels:
Basic Mathematics and Skills Development

 

On Games and Simulations in This Collection of Math Resources

 

Some web sites in this entire collection of math resources include games and simulations as tools for learning. You might be saying, "I don't have time for such things in my class!"  But, before you pass them by, consider what Henry Jenkins (2005, pp. 49-50) has to say about games:

• Games lower the threat of failure.
• Games foster a sense of engagement through immersion.
• Games link learning to goals and roles.
• Games are multimodal.
• Games support early steps into a new domain.

Dr. Robert Brown of University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2006) lends further support for game-based learning.  "Well-designed games embed the elements of effective education: content, communication, interactivity, knowledge application, and assessment. Gaming is problem-based learning" (para. 7). 

Further, results of a national Speak Up 2008 survey conducted by Project Tomorrow revealed that students have their own views on the benefits of gaming.  As reported by Dave Nagel (2009), those include:

• Making it easier to understand difficult concepts (51 percent);
• Getting students more involved in the learning material (50 percent);
• Allowing them to learn more (46 percent);
• Making it more interesting to practice problems (44 percent);
• Allowing them to "go beyond and try new things" (37 percent);
• Letting them see the results of their problem solving (35 percent);
• And allowing them to direct their own learning (34 percent). (Nagel, 2009, online p. 3).

Unfortunately that same research revealed that only "51 percent of teachers are interested in learning how to integrate gaming into daily learning activities" (Nagel, 2009, online p. 3).

Part of the problem for integrating digital games into instruction might be the issues of any cost, licensing, and technical requirements of the game, plus the nature of the game itself.  Some legitimate concerns about the instructional use of games in the classroom, noted at Becta Schools (UK) (2008), include:

• The content, activities or skills needed in the game must be appropriate for meeting curriculum requirements and learning objectives of the topic at hand.
• Teachers must consider the time to learn the game controls in relation to the time that is devoted to the learning objective.
• Can the game be saved at appropriate places?
• Are there multiple scenarios, levels of play, and missions relevant for the topic of study?
• How much of the game is under user control, including features like audio, levels of difficulty, entry point, customizing the game environment (i.e., users create their own environments, levels, and missions)? (Becta Schools, 2008).

Another issue regarding the use of games has to do with the type of game that might be used, as selecting the type of game depends on the content to be learned and/or mental process to be developed, as noted in the table below.  Marc Prensky (2000) noted that games can roughly be categorized as “action, adventure, fighting, puzzle, role-playing, simulations, sports, and strategy” (p. 130).

Table 1: Types of Learning from Games
Content	Possible Game Types
Facts	Game show competitions; flashcard type games; mnemonics; action, sports games
Skills	Persistent state, role-play, adventure, or detective games
Judgment	Strategy, role-play, adventure, or detective games; multiplayer interaction
Behaviors	Role-play games
Theories	Open ended simulation games; building, construction, or reality testing games
Reasoning	Puzzles
Processes	Strategy, adventure, or simulation games
Procedures	Timed or reflex games
Creativity	Puzzles or invention games
Language	Role-play, reflex, or flashcard games
Systems	Simulation games
Observation	Concentration or adventure games
Communication	Role-play or reflex games
Adapted from Prensky, M. (2000). Digital game-based learning. New York: McGraw-Hill, p. 156.

 

Companies such at Tabula Digita are now producing 3-D video games devoted to mathematics and which meet NCTM standards.  As educators, we cannot discount the power of this type of immersion for the digital natives we now teach.  To learn more, continue to read:

• Game on!: Game-based learning by Patricia Deubel in the January, 2006, issue of T.H.E. Journal.
• Communicating about Mathematics Using Games: Playing Fraction Track from NCTM's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000). "Mathematical games can foster mathematical communication as students explain and justify their moves to one another. In addition, games can motivate students and engage them in thinking about and applying concepts and skills" (sec 5.1, par. 1).
• Complexity Matters by Marc Prensky (2005).  In Educational Games, Complexity Matters. Mini-games are Trivial - but "Complex" Games Are Not--An important way for teachers, parents and others to look at educational computer and video games.
• What about simulation as an educational tool? and Thinking and Learning Skills Potentially Developed by Playing Some Simulation/Adventure/Role-playing Video Games by R. Morgan.
• The Use of Computer and Video Games for Learning: A review of the literature by Alice Mitchell and Carol Savill-Smith (2004).
• Got Game? Can video and computer games help kids learn?  Find out at Got Game? from Thinkport.org and learn about the project Learning Games to Go, "a five-year project aimed at developing learning games that will help build students' pre-algebra and reading skills while supporting their teachers and families as students game to learn."

 

 

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Math Resources (Page 1 of 5): Elementary and Middle Levels

Basic Mathematics and Skills Development

In Foundations for Success, the National Mathematics Advisory Panel (2008) noted that the term proficiency means "students should understand key concepts, achieve automaticity as appropriate (e.g., with addition and related subtraction facts), develop flexible, accurate, and automatic execution of the standard algorithms, and use these competencies to solve problems" (p. xvii).  Further,

A major goal for K–8 mathematics education should be proficiency with fractions (including decimals, percent, and negative fractions), for such proficiency is foundational for algebra and, at the present time, seems to be severely underdeveloped. Proficiency with whole numbers is a necessary precursor for the study of fractions, as are aspects of measurement and geometry. These three areas—whole numbers, fractions, and particular aspects of geometry and measurement—are the Critical Foundations of Algebra. (p. xvii)

The following resources have been selected with that goal of developing proficiency in mind.

AAAMath  (or 321 Know Math, which has the same content with lighter colored backgrounds) contains hundreds of pages of basic math skills with interactive practice on topics found in K-8 curriculum.  Each math topic is explained.  Associated games are presented.  Problems are randomly generated.  Selection can be made by grade level or topic.  There are links to additional resources for teachers and parents. 

Aplusmath was designed to help elementary and middle school students improve math skills interactively.  The site features Java and non-Java flashcards , games, worksheets, and a homework helper.  Create and print your own flashcards, too. Flashcard topics address basic operations, including fraction topics and negative numbers; rounding, square roots, algebra, geometry, and money, for example.

Apples4theTeacher contains free elementary and preschool math interactive games and lessons on operations (computation games with +, -, x, /) counting and number sense, telling time, geometry and geometric shapes (including tangrams), measurement, interactive number charts, and money.

Arcademic Skill Builders has free online educational video games, like you'd see in an arcade, for math and language arts.  Math has addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in single-player and multi-player options for elementary students.  At the end of a game, you get a report on how well you did. These are fun and motivating.

Bitsize Maths from the BBC-Scotland contains materials at a standard level suitable for upper elementary, middle school, and above for maths 1 and maths 2, with study help and illustrations (called revisions) and interactive tests.  Maths 1 deals with number at the general level, Pythagorean theorem, trigonometry and angles; area and volume, algebra at the general level, and graphs. Maths 2 deals with trigonometry, algebra, and statistics.

Calculation Nation was created by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. "The games of Calculation Nation™ are organized around content from the upper elementary and middle grades math curriculum. By becoming a citizen of Calculation Nation™, your child or student will play online math strategy games that allow them to learn about fractions, factors, multiples, symmetry and more, as well as practice important skills like basic multiplication and calculating area — all while having fun" (sec: For Parents and Educators). Students challenge themselves and can challenge other opponents from around the world.

CarrotSticks is an online multiplayer game that improves math skills (+, -, x, /) for learners in grades 1-5 as they practice and compete with peers around the world in a safe environment.  There are several levels of difficulty available.  The basic plan for participation is free for addition for anyone; there's a small fee for full access.  However, teachers can get free unlimited classroom use by contacting http://www.carrotsticks.com/contact.  Kids begin by creating a character to represent themselves.

CoolMath.com is award-winning and features topics in mathematics and science suitable for pre-K and upward, which include games, puzzles, brain benders, fraction lessons, fractals, geometry, algebra, and more.  The site is designed for fun--a must see!  Cool characters include, for example, Spike, Bubba, Smiley Dude, and Zeebo.

Count Us In uses a cartoon-like game format with everyday activities to help young children (preK-2) learn basic math concepts (e.g., counting, patterns, time, sorting, halves, height, volume, length, chance, addition, subtraction). Site is maintained by Australia Broadcasting Company.  Audio does not accompany directions on how to play, so young learners might need help reading directions.

Davitily Math Problem Generator offers a web-based math problem generator for basic math, algebra, and geometry. Teachers, students and parents can quickly and easily generate worksheets, tests, and quizzes.  Solutions are included.  Some worksheets are free; others require a small monthly fee.

Dositey.com has worksheets with answers to most worksheets online to provide additional practice of basic skills in mathematics and language arts.  Worksheets are divided into topics and grade levels: K-2, 3-4, and 5-8.

Elementary Geometry Resources from Baltimore County Public Schools contains a series of links to resources for teaching geometry in grades 1-5, organized by grade level.

Estimating is a tool to help learners K-12 to estimate whole numbers between 0 and 10,000 and decimals (tenths and hundredths).  A number line beginning with 0 is presented and you set the end value to adjust level of difficulty.  The line can be displayed with only the end values (e.g., your choice of tenths, hundredths, or 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10000) or with equally spaced hash marks between those.  Answers are provided for these randomly generated displays.  This number line also works well with an interactive whiteboard.  This interactive game is just one of many math games available from Oswego City School District (NY) for learning basic skills.  Use those pre-made math games or create your own interactive games. 

Everyday Math Resources from the Educational Technology page at Center School District (MO) contains additional web resources for each of the units in their K-5 math texts, which give students interactive practice on concepts in each of the five major NCTM strands.  Highly recommended for elementary grades.

Fuel the Brain is for elementary grades.  Math focuses on K-3 objectives.  The site is very engaging, developed by an elementary teacher and a graphic designer.  You'll find educational games, interactives, printables, teacher guides and tutorials. Under curriculum strands, you can find resources sorted by NCTM identified math strands.

FunBrain.com is an award winning site for K-8 teachers, kids, and parents.  Content is devoted to educational games on math, language arts, science, history, music, geography, and art.  Resources for teachers and parents are numerous.  Math Brain, for example, has 25 interactive, online games for K-8+ in a video board arcade style.  Games align with students' level of knowledge in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and problem solving.

Harcourt School Publishers: The Learning Site provides online activities and tutorials related to their K-5 texts.  Harcourt is part of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt School Publishers.

iknowthat.com features self-paced interactive multimedia activities on topics from preK-6 in several subject areas.  Audio explanations accompany a highly engaging format.  Teacher guides accompany standards based lessons.  Multimedia is first rate!

Internet4Classrooms Grade Level Skills for grades 1-8 is based on Tennessee Curriculum Standards.  The standard is listed and paired with Web resources that address the skill or concept to be developed.

IXL Math from Quia Corporation is a math practice site, which has problem sets on over 1000 topics matched to specific state standards for grades preK-6 with plans to add other grades.  The site provides a colorful, engaging environment for mastering skills. Guests can freely access problems with feedback on answers to help with understanding; however, full benefits (e.g., student progress tracking and reports; and an awards system for learners who reach their goals) are gained with membership. 

Johnnie's Math Page features many links to interactive tools for young students and their teachers.  It "is the site to find fun math for kids, math games, and even a little math homework help.  Interactive math activities from across the web have been organized by topic to make math learning enjoyable and interesting. For parents and teachers, you will find math lessons and math worksheets as well as links to other math teaching resources.  For those who like a challenge, you will find free math games in the math puzzles section."  Main sections deal with number, geometry, fractions, fun, measurement, multiplication, statistics, and probability.

Learning Wave Online is a classroom resource for interactive mathematics, primarily for grades 3-9. Each topic contains explanations of concepts and interactive practice designed to engage and challenge students.  Applications include basic, intermediary, and advanced levels in topics of number theory, integers, decimals, fractions, percents, probability, algebra, and geometry.  A teacher section and answer key are available.

LINKS Learning Illustrated Lessons for Math contains excellent animated lessons for introducing elementary students to  estimation of length, place value, symmetry, patterns, weight and capacity, and tangrams.  "This E-learning site has involved Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and partner organizations including the Technology Based Learning and Research Project at Arizona State University; the Washington school districts involved in the Washington Alliance for Better Schools; Carkhuff Thinking Systems; Limelight Technologies, Inc.; Fairfax County, Virginia schools; and Educational Service District 113 in Olympia, Washington."  The SuperMath interactive games help students to practice decimals, fractions, angles, and more.  The site also includes Reading LINKS, a set of 18 multimedia lessons that demonstrate reading strategies. 

Maggie's Earth Adventures is a free educational resource for elementary grades, which considers multiple intelligence theory, situated learning, and brain-based research in the design of its standards-based activities.  Students are exposed to real life environmental problems designed for them to see the connectedness and relevance of math, science, geography, language arts, and cultural experiences.  There are multiple sections, but you'll find a series of math games, programmed in Flash for an engaging environment, for mastering basic skills.  The Teacher's Lounge features theme based units and individual lessons, including printable lessons to correlate with the animated stories.  Teachers can also register to receive Maggie's Weekly Activity Packets, which are designed for students to do independently.

Mathline from PBS Teachers contains lesson plans and video clips arranged by grade band (preK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12).  You can search the videos by math categories and topics to find clips that match your criteria. You may also match the clips to state and national math standards.

Math Cats: Elementary students interactively explore the world of polygons, polyhedra, large numbers, magic squares, lissajous, and more in MicroWorlds.  Master concepts with games, crafts, art, puzzles, projects, word problems.  There is information for teachers and parents.  This award-winning site is by Wendy Petti.

Math Doodles is by Daren Carstens, who is the developer of the award winning software Math Arena.  He offers several interactive puzzles and games for elementary learners to have fun.  But there is learning, too, as students practice addition, subtraction, money skills, pattern matching (shape, number, color), for example.  Among current games are Connect Sums, Number Jump, Polyomino Shift,  Double Traits, Sum Stacker, Time Shuffle, and more.  Older learners also benefit, as students really need to think as they do these.

Math Drill:  Work interactively for FREE from your home or school on Math problems organized into 86 levels (and increasing ) of addition, subtraction, ordering, multiplication and division, dealing with numbers and fractions, decimals, percent, algebra, geometry, time, in direct as well as more analytic word problem format. There are step-by-step explanations for answers.   Start with a level suitable for you and practice your way up.  Keep track of your progress.  Teachers can create homework problem sets and get class scores reported in a table format.

Math Goodies from Mrs. Glosser features interactive math lessons, homework help, worksheets, puzzles, and message boards.  The site is primarily for students in grades 5-8.  Younger students might benefit depending on their math background and reading skills, as well as older students who need remediation.  Math Goodies also has a page of interactive calculators for basic arithmetic, loan payments, solving quadratic equations, and generating a random number.

MathMovesU is an initiative from Raytheon Company to make math more interesting for middle school students.  MathMovesU.com, middle school students can enter a "virtual world" of math and engage with games, polls, flash cards, word problems, and factoids all centered on their passions: music, sports, and fashion. Students earn points for bragging rights and can enter sweepstakes to win prizes. The MathMovesUniversity section of the site features a glossary of math terms and a large number of hands-on worksheets for students looking for additional help and support. Apply for scholarships, and get grants for your school.

Math Nook, by Thomas and Jan Hall, includes free online math games that target a variety of basic skills. You'll find addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, estimation, rounding, money, fractions, exponents, geometry, measurement, vocabulary, integers, patterns, and more.  Some games have varying levels of difficulty.  There are also free math worksheet generators (e.g., time, +, -, x, /) and a few videos. This material is useful for teachers, parents, and students.

Math Playground: Animated characters created with Flash add to the appeal of this learning site for grades 1-6.   The site offers interactive word problems, games, flash cards, logic puzzles with a focus on applying arithmetic operations, using geometry and algebra concepts, whole numbers, decimals, fractions.  There are some virtual math manipulatives also, such as a protractor, fraction bars, equivalent fractions, percents, a spinner for probability, function machine, pattern blocks, and a geoboard.

Math Worksheet Site will allow you to create printable math worksheets, either with or without answers, from your browser.  These are suitable for elementary students learning basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), measurement, telling time, least common multiples, reducing fractions.  Number lines and coordinate plane grids for graphing can be generated, and a 100 block chart (useful for introducing prime numbers). 

Max's Math Adventures is a K-2 math and language arts game in which hosts Max and Ruthie challenge young students to solve real-world math problems by using clues embedded in a fun, rhyming poem. Lessons and extension resources are designed to help build critical thinking skills, also.

Middle School Portal from the National Science Digital Library at Ohio State University has compiled resources with interactivity that directly support teaching each of the three key areas highlighted by grade level for grades 5-8 related to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics.  Grade 5: division of whole numbers, fractions and decimals, 3-D shapes; Grade 6: Fractions and decimals, ratio and rate, expressions; Grade 7: Ratio and proportion, surface area and volume, integers and algebra; Grade 8: Linear functions and equations, plane figures and solids for geometry, analyzing data sets.  There is also a special section called Statistics: Handling all that Data, which addresses core statistics topics for middle school.

Mr.Maffesoli.com was developed by an elementary school Math Specialist, Michael Maffesoli.  It contains math resources for students, teachers, and tips for parents for grades K-5 aligned to Michigan state standards.  However, individuals in other states will also benefit.  After selecting a grade level, you will see a series of specific links to web resources to help learners master the content addressed by the standard.  This site is highly recommended for the selection of activities and organization of the site.

Multiplication.com includes strategies, activities, games, and worksheets to help teach multiplication facts.  Games are included for the classroom, for play over the Internet, or for download to play on your computer.

Noetic Learning Math Worksheet Creator includes free drill and practice worksheets with randomly generated problems.  Teachers can set criteria for problems displayed in number sense and place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, money, and fractions.  The paid membership gives access to other topics in elementary math. The format for presenting problems with the worksheet creator is horizontal, so students may need to recopy problems to paper to line up numbers appropriately for completing calculations.  Answers can be entered online and correct answers are displayed when students indicate they are done.

Numbertime, brought to you by the BBC in the UK, helps preK-2 students to begin building their math skills via animations, games, songs, and movies.  Don't miss Teachers and parents can also link to resources to learn about money, shapes and space, resources for covering a full primary school curriculum, telling time, mental math, and more. 

Primary Resources (UK) provides free worksheets and lesson plans, activity ideas, and resources for elementary grades in multiple subjects.  For math, you'll find sections on general resources, numbers and the number system, calculations, solving problems; measures, shape, and space; and handling data. Many teachers have added their contributions for your use.  Some include use of Flash animation for added engagement for learners.

Rainforest Maths by Jenny Eather in Australia provides interactive activities for learners in grades K-6.  Topics address numbers and number systems, operations and calculations, strategies and processes, patterns and algebra, geometry and space, measurement, chance and probability, data analysis, and money.  This is a very colorful and engaging site for building skills.  Immediate feedback to answers is provided.

Sawmill Software English (Inch) Ruler.  Sawmill Software developed an application that teachers can use to teach measurement concepts, and that students can use to practice and test with making measurements. All levels of the English ruler can be navigated and tested with.  Download their fully-functional trial version.

Scholastic Math Maven's Mysteries for grades 3-5 is a series of math mysteries, which students try to crack.  They use problem-solving and critical thinking skills, apply math skills in an authentic situation, and practice their reading skills.  Each activity takes about one class period.  Choose mysteries to solve using logical reasoning, whole number operations, fractions and ratios, money and decimals, patterns and missing number equations, combinations and probability, measurement and time, and geometry and spatial relationships.  Three levels of difficulty are provided.

Sheppard Software provides numerous free online games and activities for math: K-12 early math, basic operations, mixed operations, fractions, pre-algebra, dollars and cents, and place value.

Skillwise from the British Broadcasting Company (UK) focuses primarily on words and numbers.  The numbers section will help students at all levels with basic skills: working with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages; measures, shape and space; and handling data. Sections contain fact sheets, quizzes with varying difficulty, and printable worksheets with answers.  Interactive games for mastery, video/audio segments to illustrate application of principles in real life, as appropriate, are included.

Teach R Kids features Math for Elementary School Kids with interactive lessons on topics in number basics, sequences, patterns, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, calendar, time, rounding, and money.  Online worksheets with immediate scoring and correct answers are available for pre-K students, grades 1, 2, 3 and upper elementary. Some of the activities are timed, which allows students to see their improvement.  Students can work on mastery at their own pace.

Teachers’ Domain is an online library of free media resources from the best in public television. Resources correlate to state and national standards and include video and audio segments, Flash interactives, images, documents, lesson plans for teachers, and student-oriented activities. You'll find media from NOVA, Frontline, Design Squad, American Experience, and other public broadcasting and content partners.  The K-12 mathematics section features main concepts in elementary math: number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability.  Highly recommended.

TimezAttack is a "real kid-friendly" multiplication tables video game from BigBrainz.com.  Students learn their multiplication facts for 2-12 with this engaging software.  The base version is free; Pricing for the premium version is available for individuals or schools.  The difference in versions is primarily the level of graphics.  The goal is for students (ages 6 and up) to escape the monster-filled dungeon by navigating through a maze filled with doors that open when multiplication facts are correctly answered.

Visual Fractions, by Richard Rand, is an online tutorial with instruction and interactive practice in identifying, renaming, comparing, and operating on fractions, including mixed numbers (add, subtract, multiply, and divide). All examples are modeled with number lines or circles.  This site helps students, primarily in grades 3-8, to picture fractions and operations on them.

Visual Math Learning is a free educational web site developed by W. Bateman, who indicates that the site features "an interactive on-line tutorial for teaching elementary mathematics and basic arithmetic for grades K-12 at the pre-algebra level. It is an instructional aid for parents, teachers, and educators of primary, elementary, and middle school students, as well as a resource for lesson plans, homework help, and home schooling math lessons. The tutorial includes games, puzzles, interactive diagrams, and computer animated virtual manipulatives that emphasize active learning concepts by visualization." 

Wired Math is for students in grades 7, 8 and 9  and their teachers. It is available in both English and French and based on the Ontario (CA) Mathematics Curriculum for grades 7 to 9.  Its easy-to-use format is suitable for students who want to improve their skills through online games, drills, and problem solving.  Students can review topics through the completion of exercises or additional questions and also develop mathematical independence, judgment, and original and creative thinking.  Questions and problems will appeal to beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.  Answers for all exercises and full solutions for challenges; extension sections are also provided. Materials at this site were designed by a team of mathematics teachers who partnered with the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) at the University of Waterloo.

Worksheet Library has several thousand printable K-6 worksheets in PDF format for teachers, parents, and home-schooled students.  While there are hundreds offered for free, there is a nominal yearly fee for access to all.  Answers are provided.  Subjects addressed include mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies.  Graphic organizers and time savers are a plus.

 

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The Amazon widget below shows books using the search phrase: math for elementary school children.  You can also use the widget to search with other key words.  Notice that several suggestions include math and the topic of your choice, so you can easily form your own search phrase. Suggestions include:

• literature with math concepts
• math concepts elementary
• math and counting
• math and sorting
• math and classifying
• math and number
• math and telling time
• math and patterns
• math and money
• math and measurement
• math and fractions
• math and geometry
• math and computation
• math and place value
• math and percents
• math and middle school
• game-based learning
• math games

 

 

References

 

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See related topics:  Math Manipulatives and Standardized Test Preparation.