Thursday, May 30, 2013

Math Packet Cover sheet and Progress Chart

Here's a link to the cover sheet that was sent out with all Summer Math Packets.  Here, you'll also find the progress chart.  Hopefully this will help for those who have already misplaced their packets.

Math Packet Cover Page and Progress Chart

Find your Math teacher's name at the right and you'll find a link to the packet that you should be working from for the summer.

We hope you're already off to a great start.  We, your teachers are still at work!  Summer officially starts later today!!

Friday, May 24, 2013

Don't Worry ... Be Mathy!

So, by now you've gotten your Summer Math Packet.  Below is an excerpt from the recent email sent out by Mr. Broyles.

"Summer Math Packet

These were sent home in hard copy today.  The instructions should be clear.  If not, email me [abroyles@howardschool.org].  In addition to what your child worked on this year, we included content a little beyond in case you want to go further, are working with a tutor, etc.  We strongly recommend doing a little each week to keep the skills alive."

I would also add this about our thinking in generating this packet, and giving it to you.  

The idea is not that you have a massive, homework assignment that ruins your summer, or causes stress and/or strife.  Your math grade will not suffer at the beginning of the year, if you don't get this all done (although, you may find that the next year of math might go better if you spend some time on it over the summer).  This should give you a resource to use for practice, so that skills you've worked hard to gain are not lost.  It is meant to give you an easy way to keep your mind working on math.   The links on this page should also provide you opportunities to have some fun while doing math.   The progress chart is meant to help keep track of the work (or play) you are doing, and also show next year's teachers  what you've done to keep your math active.

Happy Mathing!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

My Top 10 Apps list

I've been wanting to get this out for some time.  Finally here it is ...

In addition to a google search for "math apps for iPad" ... these are my "top 10 free and inexpensive apps for math".

In no particular order ...

1. Math Tappers - there are actually 7 different apps that are associated with this suite of visual / interactive fact and skill practice games

2. Addition Blocks - a fairly addictive game of basic addition facts

3. Factor Samurai - slash the prime numbers only!

4. Montessori - some cost a little more than other games, but these are all good - my 2 favs are sequencing and place value

5. Zoom - not the TV show you remember for our childhood - this is about sequencing and scale

6. Everyday Math - also a suite of 5 games (number sequencing, addition, multiplication, divisibility, and fractions)

7. Singapore Math - another suite of apps - some by grade level focused on bar modeling for word problems - best one is RocketSolver - don't bother with the grade 6!

8. ShutoutHD - this is the iPad version of "Shut the Box"

9. Monkey Math - standard favorite - just what it sounds like - early skills for young ones



10. Glow Burst - pop bubbles in sequence, but theres a little more to it ...

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Please look to the right of the page to find sections of links to on-line activities.  There are some that are suitable for most students who will be in the Middle School or Transition Classes.  They are grouped together at the top.  Below these, please look for the teacher of the group that you were in for the 2012-2013 school year.  The games, other activities and resources listed and linked there are suitable practice for the skills worked on during the year, and should help keep you ready to start the year in August.