MATH TOOLS NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 13, 2009 - No. 82 ***ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES Enroll in Math Forum online PD courses, fully moderated by Math Forum staff. Registration is currently open for a variety of six-week courses scheduled for spring and summer: http://mathforum.org/pd/dates.html All individuals who successfully complete a 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/ ***KENKEN® AT THE MATH FORUM The Math Forum is excited to partner with Nextoy® to offer a collection of KenKen puzzles. KenKen is a number puzzle related to Sudoku, but even more mathematical. We have puzzles ranging in size from 3x3 to 9x9, at four difficulty levels, with many combinations of arithmetic operations. KenKen puzzles offer great opportunities: - to practice arithmetic skills in new and interesting ways - to learn and get better at problem-solving strategies - to work on organizing and communicating mathematical ideas Math Forum PoW members enjoy complimentary access to KenKen puzzles, each of which comes with a printer- friendly view, an interface for submitting your work, and a solution viewable by teachers. Teachers with class accounts may further view the work their students submit when solving KenKen puzzles. We allow uploads in answer submissions, which makes it much easier to show KenKen work (or even steps, moments of reflection, etc.). And we offer a table-making tool in the explanation box, for an alternate method of displaying similar information. - Introduction to KenKen - Lesson Plans - Rules - Discussion - Tutorial If you are not a member, consider a free Trial Account: http://mathforum.org/products/trial.html \|/ 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 DISCUSSION Fraction Wall Games - Equivalent Fractions http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html?&do=m&thread=__h_tool__g-31 Rod+1 wrote, "I converted the concept [of another teacher's paper-based activity] to a set of Flash games that I have called Fraction Wall Games. It would be great to [get] feedback [from] the forum on ways that these could be used in your classroom." ***FEATURED DISCUSSION Math in the Workplace http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html?&do=m&thread=_____g-160 rfantster explained, "I am creating a presentation to demonstrate how math is used in my work experiences (while in the U.S. Army), specifically, Field Artillery Surveying." ***FEATURED DISCUSSION Using WolframAlpha in the Classroom http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html?&do=m&thread=_____g-158 rfantster announced, "I am starting a new project that I hope will appeal to all educators, no matter their level or subject area. This project concept will utilize and exploit the computational power of WolframAlpha." ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Goal http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/88554/ Crickweb.co.uk Work towards a target quotient by trying different divisors and comparing quotients. Pop-up calculator available. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Boxing Weigh In http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/89187/ Crickweb.co.uk Drag the boxers onto the scales and see how much they weigh in pounds or kilograms. Boxers' weights can be changed via the "set weights" button. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Mission Algebra Challenge http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/89558/ Crickweb.co.uk This is a quiz on two-step algebraic equations with a focus on algebraic expressions. There are 15 multiple-choice questions with built in answer checking, and some helpful hints from the aliens, mission control, and your fellow astronauts. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Card Flip http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/89562/ Crickweb.co.uk Deal the playing cards to help demonstrate probability. Use the shuffle button to start; limit the suits available by clicking the "suit" buttons, followed by the "shuffle" button. CHECK OUT THE MATH TOOLS SITE: Math Tools http://mathforum.org/mathtools/ Register http://mathforum.org/mathtools/register.html Discussions http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html Research Area http://mathforum.org/mathtools/research/ Developers Area http://mathforum.org/mathtools/developers/ Newsletter Archive http://mathforum.org/mathtools/newsletter/ \`. .--------------.___________) \ |//////////////|___________[ ] `--------------' ) ( '-' The Math Forum @ Drexel -- 13 December 2009