Tools for Engagement
girl standing in front of a chalkboard that has I love math written on it.
Critical thinking in math requires learners to have knowledge beyond isolated facts and methods and to be able to demonstrate a conceptual understanding.
 
Learners who struggle with prerequisite skills may be unable to organize and connect what they already know to new ideas as they build on new facts, methods, and concepts.
 
Providing scaffolds allow a learner to focus on higher-order mathematical skills and identify the importance of concepts and in what contexts they are useful.
 
In this newsletter, we explore tools to increase math engagement and computational fluency, including resources for comprehension and vocabulary, number sense, and math fact fluency.
Math Comprehension

girl standing in front of a chalkboard with many geometric diagrams and thought bubbles around her head
Acquiring and utilizing math vocabulary is an essential skill for students. Having a robust math vocabulary allows students to think about, talk about, and interact with their math environment. 

To increase the development of math vocabulary consider:  
  • Pre-teaching mathematics vocabulary.
  • Modeling vocabulary when teaching new concepts.
  • Using appropriate labels clearly and consistently.
  • Integrating vocabulary knowledge in assessments.
  • Providing options for perception, language, and symbols.
  • Providing options for expression and communication. 
A Maths Dictionary for Kids -  Collection of math dictionaries and quick reference guides, including over 950 common mathematical terms and math words explained. Animations and interactive activities are included to help illustrate math concepts.

screen shot of an baseball activity for average_ median_ and mode

Math is Fun - Illustrated math dictionary with over 900 definitions. Animations, videos, and examples are included to help explain math concepts.

Basic Algebra Vocabulary - Quizlet study tools including flashcards, writing and spelling activities, and interactive games to teach and reinforce basic algebraic terms. The list of terms includes a text-to-speech tool and progress monitoring.

screenshot of available activities including flash cards_ learn_ write_ spell_ test_ match_ and gravity

Geometry Stash -  Apple app that provides easy access to geometry terms. Includes theorems and postulates with detailed descriptions, diagrams, and examples.

shows the pythagorean theorem and illustrated traiangles
  
iMathematics! - Apple and  Android app that provides formulas, theorems, definitions, and properties on over 70 topics. Includes interactive calculators, equation solvers, quizzes, and a performance-tracking tool.

EquatIO -  Digital math for computers and Chromebooks. Includes a library of ready-made expressions, formulas, and complex functions that can be input by typing, handwriting, or dictating with math prediction. Math-to-Speech capabilities are available with Read&Write.

a handwriting to text example
Number Sense

one plus one equals two in blocks on top of an ipad
Number sense is a group of skills that includes understanding quantities, concepts like more and less or larger and smaller, recognizing relationships between single items and groups of items, understanding symbols that represent quantities, making number comparisons, and understanding the order of numbers. 

To increase number sense skills consider:  
  • Providing multiple representations of quantities or concepts.
  • Utilizing manipulatives such as concrete objects or virtual representations.
  • Providing exercises to practice matching number symbols to quantities.
  • Teaching strategies for checking an answer to see if it's reasonable.
Math Charts -  Collection of printable math charts for learning numbers and counting strategies. Includes ordinal numbering, odds and evens, integers, squares, roman numerals, place value, rounding, and more.

Math Symbols -  Apple and Android app to practice identifying math symbols. Learners progress through symbols including less than, greater than, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, parentheses, percentages, pi, infinity, and more. Each symbol has several examples.

screen shots of the different page sets. text is very small in image

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives Numbers & Operations -  Collection of virtual manipulatives, simulations, and representations for grades K-12. Includes base blocks, fractions, percentages, decimals, money, basic operations, number patterns, tangrams, charts, and diagrams. Requires Java.

Target Sum Card Game -  Interactive game for one or two players where learners identify and interpret the values of digits and use place value addition to add multi-digit numbers to estimate sums.

shows character standing at a starting point with digits ready to be arranged in a particular order to hit the target sum of 100

Fraction Models -  Interactive tool for exploring different representations of fractions including improper fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and percentages side-by-side.

side by side representations of 3 and one seventh

Modeling and Solving Two-Step Equations - Learners balance and solve equations using a cup and counter model. Step-by-step directions and feedback are provided.

the equation four x plus three equals fifteen is represented by cups and bean counters
Math Fact Fluency

picture of someone_s hand drawing a shape with a protractor
Math fact fluency is the ability to recall the answers to basic math facts automatically and without hesitation. Recalling these facts efficiently is critical because it allows a student to approach more advanced mathematical thinking without being bogged down by simple calculations.

To increase math fact fluency consider:
  • Providing opportunities for learners to practice fact fluency. 
  • Explicitly teaching memorization and retrieval strategies.
  • Providing tools, such as calculators, fact charts, or formulas, which allow learners to simplify tasks and spend more time on understanding concepts and solving problems.
CPALMS Resources - Collection of resources sortable by subject, grade, audience, and type of resource. Resources include 3D models, educational games, lessons, assessments, tutorials, virtual manipulatives and more. Featured below, Four in a Row Multiplication Game.

grid of products based on nines with some numbers highlighted. Below is a slider with multipliers one to nine

Math Aliens -  Interactive game designed to improve the accuracy and speed of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Includes three levels of play from single to multiple digits and increased time demands.

Interactive Sites for Education  - Collection of interactive games to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Simulations include ski jumping, basketball, bingo, space, PAC-MAN, and more.

screen grab from the title screens of ski jumping_ pacman_ and math fact shoot out

Graphic Organizers to Help Kids with Math -  Collection of printable graphic organizer downloads to help learners break down problems into sequential steps. Downloads include the Frayer Model, Step-by-Step, Line It Up, Graph It Out, and Break It Down.

Calculatoria - Online calculator that displays the tape as a digital notepad. Learners can edit and add notes to the tape and save or print their work.

image of a scientific calculator with a digital notepad next to it. Numbers and notes are displayed on the notepad

Mathway Algebra Problem Solver - Online algebra calculator with a predictive keyboard and common algebraic symbols. General solution guidelines are provided with the answer as well as the option to view or print step-by-step directions.

a math problem written in very small text is displayed over a keyboard with different numbers and math symbols

Alcula -  Online calculators, including a fraction reducer, improper fraction to mixed numbers converter, and ratio calculator. Also includes percent, decimal, and fraction converters.
Additional Resources

Math Playground  -  Collection of simulations, virtual manipulatives, and videos for grades 1-6. Includes model story problems across a wide range of topics with step-by-step solutions.

screen shot showing an story problem for finding the area and perimeter of a rectangle

Math Tools for Students - Collection of resources and basic tools to assist learners with the completion of math assignments and projects at home and school.

Annenberg Learner Interactives -Collection of K-12 online interactive math lessons. Topics include numbers, measurement, geometry, data, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

shows different screen shots. print is very small_ but shows a ruler_ a desk_ and a balance scale

Design Science Accessible Math Tools -  Collection of resources to design accessible math materials. Includes:
  • Math Type - Equation editor for Windows and Macintosh to create mathematical notation for word processing, web pages, desktop publishing, presentations, e-learning, and TeX, LaTeX, and MathML documents.
  • Math Flow - Family of products to provide editing, display, and accessibility of mathematical notation for websites, applications, and services.
  • Math Player - Universal math reader that enables math to be spoken in assistive technology products such as text-to-speech tools, screen readers, and refreshable braille displays.
Announcements

The Institute for Small and Rural Districts (ISRD) Principal's Summer Institute will take place on June 18-19 in Orlando. Superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and ESE directors are invited to attend. Register here. To learn more about ISRD please visit their website. 

Additional events and conference information is available on the Technology & Learning Connections  events page. 
This resource was funded through the Bureau of Exceptional Education  and Student Services with IDEA Part B dollars. The information and  resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational  community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties  involved . Please note that access to some resources may be blocked by individual school districts.