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Trend Graph (Weekly Report) - select one of eighteen diseases and create trend graphs [from the Infectious Disease Surveillance Center]
Weather Trend Graphs - sample trend graph showing weather for Durant Trace, Raleigh, NC, USA
Pythagoras - Research the contributions of Pythagoras to mathematics. 0806.1.3
The History of Pythagoras and his Theorem - this short summary includes a picture of a monument commemorating Pythagoras and a drawing of a twelve knot rope used to approximate a 3-4-5 triangle
Books - Use age-appropriate books, stories, and videos to convey ideas of mathematics. 0806.1.5
Brian P. Cleary - author of books conveying math ideas - Mission of Addition, The, Action of Subtraction, The, How Long or How Wide?: A Measuring Guide
Mathematics in Fiction - a reading list of novels in which mathematics play a large role
Models - Use models (such as dynamic geometry software, patty paper and geo boards) to explore relationships among angles (complementary, supplementary, interior, exterior, vertical, and corresponding). 0806.1.6
Activities at Illuminations - Illuminations has over 100 activities available. Select which types of activities you’re looking for, and click Search.
Leap Frog - design an experiment to answer a question, collect information, and interpret the results using charts.
Magic Bullets: Chemistry vs. Cancer - In this activity students will work with data about cancer deaths. The purpose of the activity is to give students some experience in reading and interpreting graphs.
Real-World Problems - Use a variety of methods to solve real-world problems involving multi-step linear equations (e.g., manipulatives, technology, pencil and paper). 0806.1.8
Colored Chip Models - use manipulatives to model addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with positive and negative integers [includes two practice problems]
Disaster Math - Six sets of interactive word problems: Earthquake Math, Hurricane Math, Tornado Math, Wild Fire Math, Winter Storm Math, and Flood Math.
Exploring Baby Weight Mathematically - A baby's weight changes dramatically in the first weeks of life. For example, students will look at data for Baby Kevin and Baby David.
Ms. Lindquist: The Tutor - A free, web-delivered, intelligent tutoring system for tutoring students in writing expressions for algebra word problems. This site is sponsored by NSF.
Solving Math Word Problems - A Study Guides and Strategies web site posted by the University of St. Thomas
Teacher Dodgeball - fill in numbers on an equation - Each blank of the equation stands for a number on a teacher. Hit the teacher with the number that goes next in the equation by clicking on them.
Translating Word Problems - The hardest thing about doing word problems is taking the English problem and translating it into math. A lesson from Purplemath, a great Algebra resource.
Review Quiz - the first problem asks students to match graphs with statements describing some situation
Cost per Unit - Calculates rates involving cost per unit to determine the best buy. SPI 0806.1.3
American Grocery Shoppers - Consider the problem of determining a "better buy" when you are shopping for canned tomatoes. (an interesting perspective on unit cost)
What's for Lunch? Pizza Cost Comparison - Visit the Internet Pizza Server and compare costs for different combinations of toppings and pizza sizes. You will also have the opportunity to create and "order" a pizza of your choice.
Exponential Expressions - find the exponential expression that is equivalent to the number given
Exponent Practice - Try a workout of 10 problems. If you get at least 8 correct on your first attempt, then you're ready to move on. If not, review "In Depth" and try again.
Exponents - Unit 3 from Ms. Glosser's Math Goodies
Scientific Notation Problem Generator - either the scientific notation or standard notation representation of a number will be shown. Put the corresponding value(s) in the empty cell(s) and press "Check Answer".
Simplifying - Expressions that have had their like terms combined. Match each expression on the left with an expression on the right. Type the letter of the correct expression in the box.
Symbols of Inclusion - simplify each expression and choose the correct comparison symbol
Square and Square Root - Square numbers and simplify square roots. 0806.2.2
Exponent Practice - Try a workout of 10 problems. If you get at least 8 correct on your first attempt, then you're ready to move on. If not, review "In Depth" and try again.
Exponents - Unit 3 from Ms. Glosser's Math Goodies
Simplifying - Expressions that have had their like terms combined. Match each expression on the left with an expression on the right. Type the letter of the correct expression in the box.
Exponential Expressions - find the exponential expression that is equivalent to the number given
Exponent Practice - Try a workout of 10 problems. If you get at least 8 correct on your first attempt, then you're ready to move on. If not, review "In Depth" and try again.
Exponents - Unit 3 from Ms. Glosser's Math Goodies
Scientific Notation Problem Generator - either the scientific notation or standard notation representation of a number will be shown. Put the corresponding value(s) in the empty cell(s) and press "Check Answer".
Simplifying - Expressions that have had their like terms combined. Match each expression on the left with an expression on the right. Type the letter of the correct expression in the box.
Symbols of Inclusion - simplify each expression and choose the correct comparison symbol
Comparing Integers - Comparing integers with absolute values - instruction and review, practice, and a quiz and
Comparing two numbers on a number line from Web Math. Learn how to compare two numbers using a number line. Type each number into the boxes provided, then click "Show Me!"
Comparing Values - Create your own math facts worksheets for comparing values. Problems can include calculations using positive and negative numbers, and two-digit decimal values.
Exponential Expressions - find the exponential expression that is equivalent to the number given
Exponent Practice - Try a workout of 10 problems. If you get at least 8 correct on your first attempt, then you're ready to move on. If not, review "In Depth" and try again.
Exponents - Unit 3 from Ms. Glosser's Math Goodies
Scientific Notation Problem Generator - either the scientific notation or standard notation representation of a number will be shown. Put the corresponding value(s) in the empty cell(s) and press "Check Answer".
Simplifying - Expressions that have had their like terms combined. Match each expression on the left with an expression on the right. Type the letter of the correct expression in the box.
Symbols of Inclusion - simplify each expression and choose the correct comparison symbol
Exponent Practice - Try a workout of 10 problems. If you get at least 8 correct on your first attempt, then you're ready to move on. If not, review "In Depth" and try again.
Scientific Notation Problem Generator - either the scientific notation or standard notation representation of a number will be shown. Put the corresponding value(s) in the empty cell(s) and press "Check Answer".
Order of Operations - Try a workout of 10 problems. If you get at least 8 correct on your first attempt, then you're ready to move on. If not, review "In Depth" and try again.
Order of Operations Game - Set the time and the number of exercises and then click start. Drag the numbers and the operation signs on the wood board to complete the equality
Real Numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem - the first third of this eighty-three slide show is devoted to Square Root - an Interactive Chalkboard from Glencoe Math
Everything Balances Out in the End - [lesson plan from Illuminations] Students use the Balance Pans - Expressions Tool to explore algebraic expressions. They determine if algebraic expressions are equal. They balance pans to solve a system of equations and use graphing to find the solutions to a system of equations.
Teacher Dodgeball - fill in numbers on an equation - Each blank of the equation stands for a number on a teacher. Hit the teacher with the number that goes next in the equation by clicking on them.
Weigh the Wangdoodles - Your job is to find the weight of each Wangdoodle using the information provided by the scales. To be successful, you will have to make sure that the weight you assign to each Wangdoodle works on each scale. This activity is a fun but challenging introduction to multiple algebraic equations
Linear Equations - Solve systems of linear equations in two variables and relate the systems to pairs of lines that intersect, are parallel, or are the same line. 0806.3.3
Linear Equation Solver - You type the equation. The equation solver will solve it for you with an explanation of how the problem was done.
Linear Equation Solver - a pop-up window allows users to specify the number of equations
Rags to Riches Game - a fun practice for 1-step, 2-step and multi-step equations. The game is similar in nature to "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
Solving addition and subtraction equations - Try a workout of 10 problems. If you get at least 8 correct on your first attempt, then you're ready to move on. If not, review "In Depth" and try again.
Equation of a Line: Slope-Intercept Form - An interactive applet that will help you visualize how changing the values for the slope, m, and the y-intercept, b, will affect the graph of the equation y = mx + b.
Equation of a line: Slope Intercept Form - Adjust the sliders at the site. They control the slope (m) and the intercept (b) of the line. The equation and the line will change accordingly. You can also drag the origin.
Two Variables - Solve linear inequalities in two variables (including those whose solutions require multiplication or division by a negative number). 0806.3.5
Make a Scatter Plot with Excel - this step-by-step lesson makes a linear graph from a set of x- and y- values, inserts a trend line and labels the linear equation used
Rate of Change - Analyze situations and solve problems involving constant rate of change. 0806.3.7
Exploring Baby Weight Mathematically - A baby's weight changes dramatically in the first weeks of life. For example, students will look at data for Baby Kevin and Baby David.
Magic Bullets: Chemistry vs. Cancer - In this activity students will work with data about cancer deaths. The purpose of the activity is to give students some experience in reading and interpreting graphs.
Proportion - Recognize a proportion as a special case of a linear equation and understand that the constant of proportionality is the slope, and the resulting graph is a line through the origin. 0806.3.8
Distinguish Functions - Distinguish between the equations of linear, quadratic, and exponential functions (e.g. function families such as y=x , y=2 , and y=2x). 2 x 0806.3.11
Contrast Rate of Changes - Understand how rates of change of nonlinear functions contrast with constant rates of change of linear functions. 0806.3.12
Linear functions: Rate of Change of linear Functions - The site has a list of correspondence rules. When you click next to one of them, the graphic and numeric representations of the function and of its change appear in the tool. For each rule, check whether the function describes change at a constant rate; if not, characterize the rate of change.
Symbolic Algebra - Represent situations and solve real-world problems using symbolic algebra. 0806.3.13
Disaster Math - Six sets of interactive word problems: Earthquake Math, Hurricane Math, Tornado Math, Wild Fire Math, Winter Storm Math, and Flood Math.
Grand Slam Math - The questions start out easy and get a little harder as you go. Don't worry, they won't throw too many curve balls.
Late Delivery - Use symbolic algebra to find the value of expression written on each door to help Postman Phil deliver the mail
Math at the Mall - practice percentages and finding the best deal while shopping at a virtual mall
Plane Math - Nine activities involving aviation and mathematic
Real World Mathematics - One of the challenges facing mathematics teachers is convincing their students that there is a place for mathematics in the real world. The goal of this page is to collect examples of those applications. This is a SCORE (Schools of California - Online Resources for Educators) page.
Thinking Blocks - learn how to solve multistep word problems - Scroll to the bottom of the page and use any of the six sets of ratio word problems fo practice thie standard.
Word Problems with Katie - two levels are available: addition and subtraction in level 1, and multiplication and division in level 2 - questions start out easy and get a little harder as you go
Interactive Proof of Pythagoras' theorem - This Java applet was written by Jim Morey. It won grand prize in Sun Microsystem's Java programming contest in the Summer of 1995.
Solving a right triangle - This example illustrates how finding the height of the pyramid is equivalent to solving the right triangle. The virtual reality media can help students visualize the interrelation between the 3-dimensional pyramid and the 2-dimensional right triangle.
Squaring the Triangle - Students learn about how the Pythagorean Theorem works, through investigating the standard geometric proof. Parameters: Sizes of the legs of the triangle.
Using the Pythagorean Theorem - Once you know the equation a2 + b2 = c2 is true, then you can use it to solve all kinds of problems. Try the Pythagorean theorem with two other examples given on this page.
Pythagorean Theorem Converse - Use the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem to determine if a triangle is a right triangle. 0806.4.2
Measurement Instrument - Select or use the appropriate measurement instrument to determine or create a given length, area, volume, angle, weight, or mass. 0806.4.3
Note: all of the sites in this section are interactive and each open in a new window
Artie Ounces Soda Jerk - [volume] interactive game to practice converting ounces to pints and quarts
Animal Weigh-In - [mass/weight] Do you know your kilograms from your pounds? Interactive game
Area Explorer - [area] Students are shown shapes on a grid after setting the perimeter and asked to calculate areas of the shapes.
Learning About Measures - [length, mass, volume] Use these links to find length, mass, or capacity measurement activities.
Measure it - [length] Practice using a ruler, in inches and centimeters.
Perimeter Explorer - [perimeter/length] You will be shown shapes on a grid after setting the area and then asked to calculate perimeters of the shapes.
Platform Scales Addition - [mass/weight] Weigh several items and find the sum in hundredths of a gram.
Platform Scales Subtraction - [mass/weight] Weigh several items and find the difference in hundredths of a gram.
Shape Explorer - [area] You will be shown shapes on a grid and asked to calculate areas and perimeters of the shapes.
Using a Graduated Cylinder - [volume] reading a scale in L and mL, estimating and converting between units
Using a Graduated Cylinder - [volume] reading a scale in mL only, estimating and converting between units
Using a Platform Scale - [mass/weight] Practice using scales like the one in a doctor's office. Five Gregs will drop on the scale, waiting to be weighed, see how quickly you can weigh them.
Using a Ruler - [length] read a 15 cm ruler, estimating and converting between units
Using a Ruler - [length] read a 30 cm ruler, estimating and converting between units
Precision and Accuracy - Understand how the precision of measurement influences accuracy of quantities derived from these measurements. 0806.4.4
Congruent and Supplementary - Analyze the congruent and supplementary relationships of angles formed by parallel lines and transversals (such as alternate interior, alternate exterior, corresponding, and adjacent). 0806.4.5
2-D and 3-Dimensional Figure - Build, draw, and work with 2- and 3-dimensional figures by means of orthogonal views, projective views, and/or nets. 0806.4.8
3-D Object Viewer - Students may explore a variety of 3-D objects and their accompanying 2-D views. or
Building Houses with Side View - student constructs a block figure (dynamic, perspective drawing) to match (10 different figures) or
Coloring 3-D sides - [UK spelling on this site] Find the red sides shown in a series of 2-D drawings and click on the right face of the 3-D model to color it red. 20 questions or
Coloring 2-D sides - Use the colored portion of the 3-D object to color the correct side of the 2-D drawing. or
Cube - Find out which colors will be on opposite faces of a cube whose faces are shown unfolded.
Guess the View - Students are given a 3-D view of an object, and then given a 2-D view of the object. Students must choose which of 6 views is being displayed from a list. and
Plot Plans and Silhouettes - from Shape and Space in Geometry - the student task is to come up with plot plans that could match the given silhouettes. Background information is available at another page.
Quick Images - In the following Interactive Activity, you'll stretch both your visualization and drawing muscles. (click on Show Shape to begin the activity)
Rotating Houses - Students are presented with a 3-D figure created with blocks that can be rotated and flipped using a mouse. The figure must be rotated until it matches a 2-D representation of one of the views. or
Interactive Proof of Pythagoras' theorem - This Java applet was written by Jim Morey. It won grand prize in Sun Microsystem's Java programming contest in the Summer of 1995.
Solving a right triangle - This example illustrates how finding the height of the pyramid is equivalent to solving the right triangle. The virtual reality media can help students visualize the interrelation between the 3-dimensional pyramid and the 2-dimensional right triangle.
Squaring the Triangle - Students learn about how the Pythagorean Theorem works, through investigating the standard geometric proof. Parameters: Sizes of the legs of the triangle.
Using the Pythagorean Theorem - Once you know the equation a2 + b2 = c2 is true, then you can use it to solve all kinds of problems. Try the Pythagorean theorem with two other examples given on this page.
Find Distance - Apply the Pythagorean theorem to find distances between points in the coordinate plane to measure lengths and analyze polygons and polyhedra. SPI 0806.4.2
Creating Polygons - investigating the Concept of Triangle and the Properties of Polygons (from NCTM) or
Identify Polygons - names of polygons by number of sides and angles - instruction and review, practice, and a quiz and
Name that Polygon - identify name of given polygon components - instruction and review, practice, and a quiz and
Polygon Playground - arrange designs with online movable polygons - hundreds of polygons to drag anywhere you want
Transversal Cut - Find measures of the angles formed by parallel lines cut by a transversal. SPI 0806.4.3
Probability and Relative Frequency - Solve simple problems involving probability and relative frequency. 0806.5.1
Adjustable Spinner - Students can create a game spinner with variable sized sectors to look at experimental and theoretical probabilities. Parameters: Sizes of sectors, number of sectors, number of trials.
Adjustable Spinner - Change the number of sectors and increase or decrease their size to create any type of spinner. Then, conduct a probability experiment by spinning the spinner many times. How does the experimental probability compare with the theoretical probability
Basic Spinner - Students can create a game spinner with one to twelve sectors to look at experimental and theoretical probabilities. Parameters: Number of sectors, number of trials.
Fun and Sun Rent-a-Car - students use tables, graphs, linear functions to solve a real-world problem
Graphing Skills - What's the point? Find the point on the grid
Marbles - Students learn about sampling with and without replacement by modeling drawing marbles from a bag. Parameters: Number and color of marbles in the bag, replacement rule.
Probability - five question multiple-choice quiz from Glencoe Math
Practice with Data - answer five questions pertaining to collecting and organizing data
Two Colors - Students choose between three boxes and choose one marble from the box to look at conditional probabilities. Parameters: Number of trials.
Understanding Experimental Probability - Experiment with experimental probability using a fixed size section spinner, a variable section spinner, 2 regular 6-sided number cubes or design your own number cubes.
Compare Probabilities - Compare probabilities of two or more events and recognize when certain events are equally likely. 0806.5.2
What are Your Chances - What many people refer to as 'good luck' can actually be explained by a little knowledge about probability and statistics. Our dice game allows you to see how increasing or decreasing the number of dice rolls effects an outcome.
Dependent and Independent Events - Recognize common misconceptions associated with dependent and independent events. 0806.5.3
Data Representation - Explain the benefits and the limitations of various representations (i.e., bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, histograms, stem-and-leaf plots, box plots, scatterplots) of data. 0806.5.4
Sample Histograms and Data - posted by the Quantitative Environmental Learning Project (QELP) - data included
Box Plot - This activity from Shodor allows the user to view box plots for either built-in or user-specified data, and experiment with outliers
Box Plot 2 - This activity from Shodor allows the user to view box plots for either built-in or user-specified data, and experiment with outliers
Box Plot - an interactive illustration of creating a box plot
Box Plot - Students can create box plots which use the median in calculating the interquartile ranges for either built in or user-specified data as well as experiment with outliers
Box Plotter - This activity allows the user to explore maximum, minimum, median, upper quartile, lower quartile and outliers while learning how to draw box plots.
Box-and-Whisker Plot - A box-and-whisker plot can be useful for handling many data values
Conjectures About a Population - Use observations about differences between two or more samples to make conjectures about the populations from which the samples were taken. 0806.5.6
Line of Best Fit - This activity (from Illuminations) allows the user to enter a set of data, plot the data on a coordinate grid, and determine the equation for a line of best fit.
Line of Best Fit Explanation - [format: discussion between student and mentor] why the line of best fit does not always touch as many points as possible on a scatter plot
Regression - Plot a bivariate data set, determine the line of best fit for their data, and then check the accuracy of your line of best fit
Using Excel to Display a Scatterplot - this step by step module, written by Internet4Classrooms, shows how to display a line of best fit (called a trend line in Excel)
Statistics in the Media - Consider the source, design, analysis, and display of data to evaluate statistics reported in the media. 0806.5.8
News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC - Choose carefully, not all of these would be appropriate for 8th grade students. These stories include math in the news and a quiz
Probability - Calculate probabilities of events for simple experiments with equally probable outcomes. SPI 0806.5.1
Coin Flipping page - flip up to 100 coins and see the total number of heads and tails. Excellent for teaching about probability.
Hand Squeeze - (a data collection and analysis class experiment) - Pass a "hand squeeze" around a circle and measure the amount of time that it takes for the hand squeeze to complete the circle.
Probability Theory: The Layman's Guide to Probability - An in-depth but easily readable guide on probability theory, covering various aspects of the theory with a bias to gambling games and strategies. Includes working examples in an excel spreadsheet.
What are Your Chances - What many people refer to as 'good luck' can actually be explained by a little knowledge about probability and statistics. Our dice game allows you to see how increasing or decreasing the number of dice rolls effects an outcome.
Compound Events - Use a variety of methods to compute probabilities for compound events (e.g., multiplication, organized lists, tree diagrams, area models). SPI 0806.5.2
Goosed Up Graphics - making things appear to be `better' than they are by fiddling with the scales
Have Something to Say - "Knowin' all the words in the dictionary ain't gonna help if you got nuttin' to say" - a quote from Blind Lemon Jefferson, the great blues musician
The Lie Factor - the ratio of the size of an effect shown in the graphic is not proportional to the size of the effect in the data
Missed Opportunities - some important information was there, but the graph maker missed it
Interactive Sample Tests - released sample items from the Illinois State Board of Education - [this test is located on the Internet Archive (Wayback Machine) and might be blocked by some state filters. Download a copy at home.]
Released Tests and others
Eighth Grade Math - Read each question and choose the best answer. Then mark the circle next to the letter for the answer you have chosen. (from Texas)
Junior High Math Interactives - includes interactive math activities, print activities, learning strategies, and videos that illustrate how math is used in everyday life.
Math TV: Video Word Problems - [Grades 5+] Math TV is a project whose goal is to help middle school students learn how to solve challenging word problems. Each of the nineteen math problems comes with step by step video solution, follow up problems, an online calculator, and sketch pad.
MathVids - a web site providing high quality, instructional, free math videos to middle school, high school, and college students who need math help