Sounds like some of my students

Sounds like my students

Let’s hope this year proves my students, and math students everywhere, very wrong!

An announcement and some math puzzles

I’ve done something terrifying. I’ve finally found a bit of time to start working on the book. I’m learning some interesting lessons along the way, rethinking how I’m presenting certain topics. I may be posting bits and pieces of the book as I work through things, so expect a reposting of certain topics, hopfully with better explanations. Don’t be afraid to leave me comments and tell me what you think.

For today, however, I leave with a link to a treasure trove of math puzzles. Who says learning math can’t be fun?

A fun way to drill

A while back, someone pointed me to Arcademic Skill Builders‘ website.  The site has several cute little games to help students drill on math and reading skills. I spent a bit of time (probably too much) playing Division Demolition, which was quite fun and would probably challenge anyone not strong in their division facts.

Hello, all! Happy 2008!

I didn’t realize just how lost this site had become under everything else.

Unfortunately, right now it’s not going to get much better.

For now, though, I do have some links to share with you guys. Maybe I’ll even dig out some quotes I’ve been hoarding.

Today’s link is pretty interesting. I think a lot of my students would benefit from it, and I hope you find it useful, too.

How to develop a mindset for math

Finding the equation of a line

This month has been unexpectedly crazy. I apologize for the lack of any real content here.

I have another link to share with you, but you can look forward to more authentic Dead Bunny goodness next week!

Today’s find shows how to find the equation for a line. It covers everything from some of the equations for a line, to how to derive a line’s equation from given information, to find a line parallel to a line through a given point. It’s a lot of useful information in a compact space.

Firm grounding in the basics leads to success

Real posts are coming, never fear! (Dead Bunny has had quite the week!)

Until then, consider the power of learning your basic math facts:

Memorize Those Facts!

There’s enough research out there to indicate that children who commit the multiplication facts to memory have greater academic success in mathematics. Yes, the chronic complaint heard from teachers over and over again is that their students just don’t know their facts. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to commit those facts to memory. With a already packed math curriculum, it’s important that children get support at home to learn the facts. (Source)

You can do it!!

Mastering math is sometimes all about the attitude.

I’m constantly telling my students this. If you tell yourself you can’t do math, then you’ve already lost. The minute you change your mind and tell yourself you can do math, then you increase the chances that you’ll learn it.

You may not pick up a concept on the first attempt, and that’s okay. As long as you keep working at it, you will get it (especially if you are able to explore the concept different ways until you find the one that makes sense to you).

Incidentally, this is true of most things in life.

(Sorry about this week, everyone. The past two weeks have been fairly crazy both at work and in my personal life, so I haven’t had the time to write the next series of articles for you guys. I’m planning on getting those done this weekend!)

Finding common denominators

I haven’t really covered this much yet because I haven’t worked through my planned fraction series, but here are two methods for finding common denominators.

More on fractions

I’m still working on my fraction posts and articles, but I found a set of articles that go along with my equivalent fraction post and should at the very least get you started.

• A part of the whole