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Simpsons Math Activities!

March 4th, 2013

Hi!  It’s Monday, March 4, 2013 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Simpsons’ Math

Age Range: 10 and up (approximately; parents should preview and supervise)

In many episodes of the popular animated sitcom, The Simpsons, there are references to mathematics  including arithmetic, geometry, and calculus that uncover and  poke fun of mathematical illiteracy. As explained at the website, “Al Jean, Executive Producer and head writer, has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Harvard University.”

Two math professors saw the potential  to use math references in The Simpsons as an “ideal source of fun ways to introduce important concepts to students, and to reduce math anxiety and motivate students…”

When you get to the site, you’ll see a brief introduction, followed by a menu that includes:

*Mathematics on the Simpsons – Read a few articles that reveal where and how math is used in various episodes.

*Engaging Students with Related Mathematics – Get free “Activity Sheets” based on math references in random episodes of The Simpsons. They are designed for classroom use (but can be tweaked for homeschooling) and cover concepts such as:

  • The Pythagorean Theorem  
  • Geometry and Multi-Dimensional Shapes
  • Arithmetic and Number Theory
  • Pre-Calculus and Calculus
  • Probability

You’ll also find links to media coverage in which the writers and other crew members talk about the math and science in The Simpsons’ episodes. And there are suggestions and cautions for teachers about using pop culture in the curriculum as well.

BONUS!  Mathematics on Futurama!  That’s right, the science fiction cartoon series has math and science references in almost every episode. One of the comedy writers on Futurama has a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Harvard and you can read about his “inside jokes” in various episodes. The site is similar to The Simpsons math site, and contains free Futurama math worksheets.

Note: While these programs may be pop culture icons, some contain controversial subject matter. As always, parents must preview the material and supervise Internet access.

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Bios of Scientists & Much More!

January 29th, 2013

Hi!  It’s Tuesday, January 29, 2013 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Eric Weisstein’s World of Scientific

Age Range: 11 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

This website offers an incredible encyclopedic-style archive of information on science and math, including the biographies of scientists. When you get to the site, use the menu in the left margin of the page to search for scientists based upon:

*Branch of Science – Search for a scientist by his/her field of study from Archaeology to Sociology.

*Gender/Minority Status – Women, African Americans, Asian Americans, etc.

*Historical Periods – Meet scientists from the Bronze Age, Greek Dark Ages, and Pre-Classical Greece.

*Nationality – Find scientists from many nations including the U.S., China, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, and Russia.

*Prize Winners – Read the Bios of Scientists and Mathematicians who have been awarded prizes (i.e., The Nobel) for their work.

*Alphabetical Index – An A to Z list of all of the scientists and mathematicians whose biographies are archived on the website. Click on any one, and a new page opens with the scientist’s picture and bio. References are provided as well.

In addition to the scientists’ bios, you can use the menu tabs at the top of the page to find encyclopedic information on specific branches of science and math including:

  • Astronomy – Learn about atmospheres, galactic astronomy, the solar system, stars and more.
  • Chemistry – Find out about chemical reactions, experimental chemistry, oganic chemistry, quantum chemistry and more.
  • Mathematics – Explore algebra, applied mathematics, calculus, geometry, number theory, probability, statistics, etc.
  • Physics – Discover astrophysics, electromagnetism, experimental physics, fluid mechanics, states of matter, thermodynamics and more.

There is so much content here, you’ll want to bookmark this site to return often.

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Free Online Math Games & Worksheets for K-8!

January 28th, 2013

Hi!  It’s Monday, January 28, 2013 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Johnny’s Math Page

Age Range: 5-13 (grades K-8, with parental supervision)

This ad-supported website offers over 1000 free math activities, including games and worksheets for students in grades K-8.  When you get to the site just click on a math topic on the menu that includes:

*NUMBER – Includes Counting, Addition,  Subtraction, Division, Place Value, Integers, Operations, and Functions.

*GEOMETRY – Learn about Shapes, GeoBoards, Pattern Blocks, Solids and Polyhedra, Angles, Coordinates, and Transformations.

*MULTIPLICATION – Use Flash Cards and Tiles to learn the times tables, multiply multi-digit numbers, and play fun practice games.

*FRACTIONS – Learn to recognize and compare fractions, do fraction operations, explore circle fractions, and convert fractions to decimals and percentages.

*FUN – Play challenging math games and logic puzzles from an interactive abacus to Hanoi Towers and more.

*STATISTICS – Make graphs and charts to sort data.

*MEASUREMENT – Learn to tell time, weigh, and measure; use Standard Rule and Metric Rule; learn about liquid measurement, proportion and more.

*PROBABILITY – Use spinners and dice to understand chance and probability.

This is a great site to use for practicing math skills. It was designed with elementary math classroom students and homeschoolers in mind.

 

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Free Math Games & Puzzles for All Ages!

January 14th, 2013

It’s Monday, January 14, 2013 and time for Math at ClickSchooling

Recommended Website:

Mathematic Interactives

Age Range: 5-17 (approximately, non-readers will need assistance)

This ad-supported website, created by David Hellam (a teacher and prolific math game inventor), provides a free, vast archive of interactive math puzzles and games for a variety of math strands from counting to algebra and beyond. The engaging and entertaining games provide opportunities to practice, reinforce, and self-test math skills.

When you get to the site you’ll see a brief introduction followed by an advertisement panel. Below the ad is the beginning of the content menu for the site. Don’t let the simplicity fool you. Fun, multi-media math activities await! Simply explore the menu that includes:

*Popular Math Games Online – Enjoy some of the math games that people prefer such as: Flash Algebra, an Interactive 100 Square Chart, and Tessellations. Don’t miss “Mathematical Matches” that pair all kinds of math strands with that childhood favorite game of “Concentration.”

*Number Puzzles – Simple addition, speed arithmetic, times tables, fractions, percentages and decimals have been morphed into fun puzzles, mazes and brain twisters that turn math drills into thrills.

*Interactive Algebra Online – Enjoy some math magic with “Think of a Number.” Evaluate expressions with substitutions, work with sequences, solve for “x” and see if you can operate the “Function Machine.”

*Measurement, Shape and Space: Interactive Geometry – Enjoy mathematical challenges from simple “Shape Sorters” to “Angle Estimators.” Calculate the projectile of a cannonball or the areas of triangles!

*Fun with Handling Data – Explore numbers and probability with virtual bar charts, dice, marbles, and more.

*Puzzles, Maths Investigations, Trivia – Play Math Hangman, make your own Bingo cards, try your hand at “mind-reading,” draw curves using straight lines, play retro computer games, and enjoy Flash fractals.

This terrific assortment of math interactives will supplement any student’s interest in math or math curriculum. Bookmark it to return often.

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Free Online Science Labs!

October 23rd, 2012

Hi! It’s Tuesday, October 23, 2012 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

SEED Science

Age Range: 10-18 (with parental supervision)

This website is sponsored by the non-profit foundation called SEED (Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development), to support teachers, parents and other mentors with resources to help students learn about technology and science with regard to global issues, such as water, energy, climate change, and much more. SEED offers free science resources including informative articles, lab experiments, as well as math puzzles and games.

When you get to the site, you’ll see some featured resources. Use the menu on the left side of the home page to explore:

*Articles – Enjoy science articles (that can easily be used as lessons) on topics such as: Air & Space, Earth Science, Health & Safety, Energy, Water, and more. Place your cursor over the topics to see a drop-down menu of related articles. All of the articles include fascinating information and are linked to experiments students can do to demonstrate the concepts covered in the articles.

*Laboratory – This online lab provides students with the materials list (includes common household items and materials available at a pharmacy or hardware store) and instructions for conducting experiments to learn more about Air & Space, Earth Science, Electricity & Magnetism, Properties of Liquids, and Energy. Click on any topic and see a drop-down menu of experiments. For example, students can build a personal seismograph or build their own star! There are Teacher’s Notes, as well as examples of results.

*Math Puzzles – Sharpen your math skills with fun puzzles and games that include arithmetic, probability, algebraic thinking, geometry, topology, logic, and more.

All of the resources are available in a variety of languages too, just look for the language menu at the top of the page.

You can also purchase science kits, books, and games from the online store, but no purchase is necessary to access the free resources mentioned above.

There is a lot of content here, so bookmark the site to return often.

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Mac & Cheese Math & More!

August 6th, 2012

Hi! It’s Monday, August 6, 2012 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Math Mastery: Family Fun

Age Range: 8-13 (In two sections for Grades 3-5 and 6-8, with parental supervision)

This commercial website sells a math program, but it also offers a terrific archive of FREE math activities and games for families to enjoy together.

When you get to the site, you’ll see the “Mac and Cheese” math activity that teaches measurement, estimation, percentages, decimals, and more. This is just one of MANY free activities for grades 6-8 - and there are just as many for grades 3-5. To access them all, use the menu on the left side of your screen.

Place your cursor over “Family Math Activities” on the menu and a pop-up menu will appear for “Grades 3-5″ and “Grades 6-8.” Place your cursor over either grade range and you’ll see a drop-down menu of math topics that include:

  • Numbers & Operators – Play games like Learning with Dice, License Plate Math, Coin Math, and more.
  • Algebra – Play a game of “Salute,” then learn to recognize number patterns.
  • Geometry – Explore geometry with chopsticks, discover symmetry, and play “Moon Math.”
  • Measurement – Do Cookie Math, Mac and Cheese Math, go on a Scavenger Hunt.
  • Data Analysis & Probability – Flip coins, chart your spending, size up a pumpkin.
  • Problem Solving – Do mental math and holiday math.

The last three sections, “Communication,” “Connections,” and “Representations” are sort of jumbled up in what appears to be a technical glitch on the website. However, if you click on “Representations” for either grade level, you’ll find a selection of activities that include: Election Time Math, Expiration Date Math, and you can do an experiment to control aphids with Ladybugs and Soapy Water.   There is a great deal of crossover activities for both grade levels.    

When you’re through with the Family Math Activities use the menu to find:

*Daily Brains Library – This is a vast archive of not only math activities, but informative word problems themed around history, geography, language arts, science and health!

*Parenting Tips – Get strategies for improving learning success.

This is a great resource to supplement learning math, science, and more.

 

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