With Georgia’s STEM Day right around the corner on May 6, I thought it only fitting that we celebrate the “M” in STEM. Here are fifteen pedagogical tools that are sure to assist you with instructing our future mathematicians!

1. Desmos

Desmos has produced a free graphing calculator accessible by computer or phone. The company also offers a platform for educators to build their own digital lessons. View a demonstration on graphing inequalities using Desmos below. This is just one of the many tutorials found on its YouTube channel.

2. Graphing Stories

How do you graph time, height, or air pressure? Graphing Stories will help your students answer these questions and more. Simply distribute the graphing handout, select a video, and chart the story. You may want to let your students preview the segment first, discuss it with one another, watch it again, and then begin. The answers are found at the end of each video and are sure to bolster lively dialogue.

3. Three-Act Tasks

Three-act tasks have definitely changed the way math is being presented in the classroom. This Weebly page lists tons of them for multiple grade levels and subjects. Dan Myers offers a brief rundown about how to teach using the approach. 

4. Georgia Performance Standards

Did you know that the Georgia Performance Standards website has learning tasks embedded within some of its units? Download the respective frameworks for each course and try them out! 

5. Illuminations

Illuminations was constructed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics with an overall goal to furnish quality assets to educators. It boasts over 700 lesson plans, more than 100 activities, and additional content aligned to the Common Core Standards. 

6. Number Talks Strategy

Number Talks are short, daily exercises that can build numerical reasoning skills and develop accurate computation methods. Math Perspectives has a number talks toolkit that gives insight on how to implement this strategy in your classroom on a daily basis.

7. National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

Using manipulatives engages students and transforms them into active learners. Find plenty for all ages at the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives. 

8. Discovery Education Content Collections 

Discovery Education’s fifteen math content collections are full of lesson starters, videos, images, and games. The Math in Context collection presents information about spatial relationships, geometry, and volume using familiar practices like packing the car or planning a party. Others include Math and Measurement, Money, Shapes, and Exploring Patterns. Georgia teachers, contact us at education@gpb.org for information about your free Discovery accounts.

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9. Exam Elf

Exam Elf is an iPad app that prepares fourth through eighth graders for mathematic assessments. Students can master twelve essential skills including time management, erasure usage, focus and recovery, and familiarity by answering a series of arithmetical questions. For a full review of its capabilities, take a look at our past EdTech Tip. 

10. g(Math)

If you are using Google Apps For Education, g(Math) is for you! It is a Google add-on that allows you to generate formulas and expressions to place in your docs and sheets. You can even create expressions verbally with the mic icon on Google Chrome. 

11. PBS LearningMedia

PBS LearningMedia contains a wealth of resources for all students. Math at the Core: Middle School is just one example of the captivating media available. Accounts are free for all Georgia educators, so make sure you email us at education@gpb.org for further details. 

12. Geogebra

This Google add-on is user-friendly and houses tools for geometry, algebra, and calculus in one place. Mathematics for Teaching has an in-depth overview of the functions and capabilities of GeoGebra. 

13. Khan Academy

Khan Academy offers free instructional videos and practice problems in math as well as other subject areas. The tutorials are easy to understand, and its state-of-the-art technology helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and learning gaps. A comprehensive article about Khan Academy can be accessed through clicking this link. Take a look at a tutorial on linear equations below.

14. Yummy Math 

Yummy Math presents concepts in real-world contexts and is constantly updating its materials in order to introduce math in events taking place around the world. For example, it recently listed assignments related to Earth Day and Passover. The beauty of the site is that you can select content by genre or grade. I encourage you to check out everything they have available.

15. Frontloading Vocabulary 

It is important for students to know how to use mathematical vocabulary during number talks or when applicable. Introduce them to important words aligned to the Common Core Standards with these illustrative vocabulary cards from the North Central Educational Service District. They also look great on your word wall. 

Tell us about your favorite classroom materials for math by leaving a comment!