MATH TOOLS NEWSLETTER - July 30, 2013 - No. 122 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: Geoboard, by The Math Learning Center http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/211506/ Clarity Innovations The Geoboard is a tool for exploring a variety of mathematical topics introduced in the elementary and middle grades. Learners stretch bands around pegs to form line segments and polygons and make discoveries about perimeter, area, angles, congruence, fractions, and more. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Cover Up http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/211501/ Steve Rhine Cover Up helps students develop a strategy for solving algebraic equations that is more intuitive than mechanical use of order of operations. Given an equation that is "messy" with fractions, exponents, square roots, etc., students cover up the challenging part of the equation to make it more intuitive to solve. Five different levels of problems are included. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: KaleidoPaint http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/210549/ Jeff Weeks As you draw, KaleidoPaint mirrors your brushstrokes to create a beautiful infinitely repeating design. Features: * 17 symmetry patterns * Scroll, rotate, zoom * Curve smoothing * Area fill * Reshape and recolor any point, curve or area * Unlimited Undo/Redo * Export your favorite paintings to the Photos app, or e-mail them directly to a friend ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Number Rack, by The Math Learning Center http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/211505/ Clarity Innovations The Number Rack facilitates the natural development of children's number sense. Rows of moveable, colored beads encourage learners to think in groups of fives and tens, helping them to explore and discover a variety of addition and subtraction strategies. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Turkey Feathers http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/211419/ Laurel Pollard Help the turkey collect his feathers in this addition game. Tool: Hands-On Equations 1 Lite http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/211412/ Hands On Equations The unknown X variable is represented by a blue pawn on the iPad screen while the constants are represented by number cubes. In Lesson 1 the icons do not move. The student uses thinking or guess and check to solve the equations. Beginning with Lesson 2, the student places the game pieces on the balance scale to represent the two sides of the equation. Beginning with Lesson 3, the student simplifies the equation by removing pawns from the balance to solve for the unknown X. The student verifies his/her solution by resetting the problem to conduct the check. Feedback is provided to the student in the check phase of the problem. Touch features are used to move the pieces around. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Torus Games http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/210550/ Jeff Weeks Eight familiar games introduce children ages 10 and up to the mind-stretching possibility of a "multiconnected universe." Games include: tic-tac-toe, mazes, crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, chess, pool and gomoku. While playing the games, kids develop an intuitive visual understanding of a model universe that is finite yet has no boundary. Players who master the games in 2D may enjoy the extra challenge of solving 3D mazes and playing 3D tic-tac-toe in multiconnected 3D spaces. Even though the games were designed with kids in mind, adults interested in topology, geometry and cosmology have also found them enjoyable and enlightening. 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 Newsletter Archive http://mathforum.org/mathtools/newsletter/ Twitter Feed http://mathforum.org/pd/twitter.html Blogs http://mathforum.org/blogs/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/themathforumatdrexel Community http://mathforum.org/community/ \`. .--------------.___________) \ |//////////////|___________[ ] `--------------' ) ( '-' The Math Forum @ Drexel -- 30 July 2013