Review based on:

I've used this tool in professional development workshops with elementary teachers.

Appropriate for:

introduction to a concept, practice of skills and understandings, applications of a concept or technique, advanced investigations

Other Comments:

This is a tool which allows the introduction of multiplication (e.g. 3 jumps of 4 each); the practice multiplication facts; the discovery of factor families by noting that 3 jumps of 4 end in the same place as 4 jumps of 3 or 6 jumps of 2, and so on; the discovery that prime numbers have only two possible jumps; and much more.

What math does one need to know to use the resource?

Basic counting skills

What hardware expertise does one need to learn to use the resource?

Basic computer skills.

What extra things must be done to make it work?

Download activiity from the web. Have a copy of The Geometer's Sketchpad 4.0 installed on the computer.

How hard was it for you to learn?

Very Easy

Explanation:

The only knowledge of The Geometer's Sketchpad that is necessary is how to use the Arrow/cursor tool.

Ability to meet my goals:

Very Effective

Recommended for:

Math 1: Operations with numbers, Patterns and sequences
Math 2: Operations with numbers, Patterns and sequences
Math 3: Operations with numbers, Number sense, Number theory
Math 4: Operations with numbers, Number sense, Number theory
Math 5: Number sense
Math 6: Number sense
Math 7: Number sense