MATH TOOLS NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 13, 2008 - No. 70

  ***FREE ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
  For teachers of students in grades 5-9, we offer 
  online workshops:

    Technology and Algebraic Reasoning
    http://mathforum.org/nsdl_mathtech/online/

    Tools for Thinking about Probability
    http://mathforum.org/nsdl_mathtech/online/prob.html

  The $100 workshop fee is currently covered by a grant from
  the National Science Foundation. Next sessions start
  January 12, 2009.

  ***ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES
  Designed for teachers who want to implement problem solving
  more effectively, these moderated courses led by Math Forum
  professional staff take place online using Blackboard Vista
  (formerly WebCT) or Blackboard.

  All individuals who successfully complete the course will
  receive a certificate indicating that they have completed
  15 hours of professional development. This is equivalent
  to 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Current prices
  for each course start at $149.

                http://mathforum.org/pd/

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  As you browse the catalog, please take a moment to rate a
  resource, comment on it, review it -- join an existing 
  conversation, or start a new discussion!

  ***FEATURED TOOL
  Tool: Eyeballing Game
  http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/65539/
  Matthias Wandel
  Use estimation to solve geometric tasks such as moving a ray
  so that it is an angle bisector, and moving a vertex of a
  quadrilateral so that it becomes a parallelogram. The score
  for each task is based on how close one gets to the correct
  answer. The starting positions for each task are randomized
  each time one plays.

  ***FEATURED ACTIVITY
  Activity: Adding Integers Lab - Discovering the Rules
  http://mathforum.org/mathtools/activity/69506/
  Victoria Miles
  This activity uses virtual color chips from the National 
  Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM) to help students
  understand zero pairs and derive the rules for 
  adding integers.

  ***FEATURED ACTIVITY
  Activity: Algebraic Equations
  http://mathforum.org/mathtools/activity/69508/
  Victoria Miles
  This lesson involves another useful applet from the National
  Library of Virtual Manipulatives. It is a good introduction 
  to solving two-step equations for grade 6 or 7, or an 
  effective review lesson for grade 8.

  ***FEATURED ACTIVITY
  Activity: Converting Units and Rates
  http://mathforum.org/mathtools/activity/69509/
  Victoria Miles
  This lesson puts some fun into dimensional analysis! The
  author reflects, "I used to teach converting units/rates 
  by demonstrating on the chalkboard (boring!), but my 
  colleague created this lesson, which uses an interactive 
  applet from the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives."

  ***FEATURED ACTIVITY
  Activity: Exploration: Factor Trees, Prime Factorization, 
     GCF, LCM
  http://mathforum.org/mathtools/activity/69510/
  Victoria Miles
  This lesson has been successful with students of all ability 
  levels in grades 5 - 8 (change the examples for lower 
  grades). Many teachers are not aware of this Venn Diagram 
  approach to find GCF and LCM until they use the 
  applet themselves.

  ***FEATURED ACTIVITY
  Activity: Exploring Distance, Rate, and Time (Classwork)
  http://mathforum.org/mathtools/activity/69511/
  Victoria Miles
  This lesson involves the Runners' applet from the NCTM 
  website. The applet uses two runners, and allows for a 
  variety of parameters. Changing the parameters on the applet
  helps students develop an understanding of how distance, 
  rate, and time are related.

  ***FEATURED ACTIVITY
  Activity: Exploring Distance, Rate, and Time (Homework)
  http://mathforum.org/mathtools/activity/69513/
  Victoria Miles
  This worksheet follows up on the classwork activity. 
  Although the homework can be done without having access to 
  the web, it is more beneficial for students to use the 
  applet to check their answers.


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       The Math Forum @ Drexel -- 13 December 2008