4 Excellent Graphing Calculators for Math Teachers and Students

June 22, 2015
Looking for some very good graphing calculators to use with students in class? The suggested tools below are definitely a must have. These are some of the most recommended apps by math teachers. The apps are web-based and work across different platforms. Check them out and share with us what you think of them.

1- Scientific Calculator

Scientific Calulator is a powerful, programmable, scientific calculator.Some of its features include: Supports variables, constants, and custom functions; Save scripts online so you can access them anywhere or in a local library; Complex numbers, arbitrary precision integers, and exact fractions; Algebraic pretty-printed display; Full functional programming language; Supports matrix and vector operations; Calculation history lets you refer to previous results.

2- GeoGebra

GeoGebra (www.geogebra.org) is free dynamic mathematics software for all levels of education that brings together geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics and calculus in one easy-to-use package. Interactive learning, teaching and evaluation resources created with GeoGebra can be shared and used by everyone at tube.geogebra.org.
3- Desmos Graphing Calculator

Explore math with Desmos! Plot functions, create tables, add sliders, animate your graphs, and more -- all for free.

4- Graph.tk

Graph.tk is an online and open-source graphing utility.It's very easy to use. Use the "+" button to create a new equation. Use "/" for fractions, "^" for exponentials, and "*" for multiplication.

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3 Handy Google Drive Tools for Math Teachers

May 31, 2015
Today while we were browsing Google Docs Add-ons we selected these three tools specifically for math teachers and students. The apps will enable you to solve mathematical equations, create graphs, work on complex calculations, perform basic math/stat operations of cell values in a Google Docs table and many more.

1- g(Math)

“With the graph creator, you can type in functions and inequalities and it will create the graph associated with the functions and inequalities. You can also plot points in the same graph, find the line of best fit of those points, and specify a viewing window. As a new feature, you can select a table in a Doc and import the data into g(Math) to create a plot!”

2- Table Calculator

“This add­-on helps users perform basic math/stats operations of cell values in a Google Docs table and insert the result with the click of a button. Operations include addition, multiplication, average, count, max, min and standard deviation. This free productivity tool will help you save time by performing calculations within Google Docs without using a separate calculator or using a spreadsheet.”

3- Wizkids Cas

”Wizkids CAS is a Computer Algebra System that works with Google Docs' built-in equations.With Wizkids CAS users can:cSolve equations and plot graphs, Find numerical and exact solutions, Simplify and factorise expressions with variables, Drag and drop results and graphs from the sidebar in Google Docs.”

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Free Math Resources for Summer Learning

May 6, 2015
Educators are all too aware of the effects of summer learning loss. Research shows students lose up to three months of grade-level math equivalency over the break, which impacts their readiness for the next school year. Oftentimes, teachers have to spend the first weeks of school re-teaching the lessons their students forget before moving on to the new curriculum.

TenMarks, an Amazon company, is offering teachers and parents a way to reverse the summer slide with free access to the TenMarks Summer Math Program, an adaptive online program that provides personalized assessments and lessons tuned to the needs of each student.

Beginning today, educators can visit summer math program to access materials and resources to easily share the program with students and families. The TenMarks Summer Math Program officially begins on May 19, 2015.

TenMarks Summer Math has lessons ranging from first grade math through geometry and algebra 2. Starting with a diagnostic assessment, the program automatically creates a personalized summer curriculum, which reviews concepts from the previous year, and introduces students to concepts for the year ahead. As students go on, TenMarks features embedded hints and videos, along with targeted interventions for real-time learning assistance.

Last year, TenMarks reversed summer learning loss for over 69% of participating students, with students showing an 11% increase in scores from tests taken at the beginning of the program on average.

Teachers can encourage parents to be more productive over the summer, whether at home or shuttling them to their activities, by downloading the TenMarks Math for Students app on iPad, Android Tablets and Fire OS.

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New Tools for STEM Education

April, 2015
Looking for new ways to make STEM education more engaging? From fundamental math and engineering to hands-on electronics and robotics, here are some new products that have been creating a stir in various STEM communities.

MathGames

A wonderful Math website for students that works on tablets, phones and desktops and tests over 1200 CCSS-aligned math skills.

Made with Code 

Made by Google, this free resource aims to teach a diverse audience with online exercises, mentors, events, and more.

Primo 

 Designed for children as young as four years old, this do-it-yourself robotics kit is made to look and feel like a toy.

Piper -

In this do-it-yourself electronics kit, children as young as five play a modified Minecraft game that requires building things both virtually and physically.

pi-top 

Or, build your own laptop, including 3D-printing your own laptop case and accessories, with this do-it-yourself computer kit.

Want more? Check out these collections of tools.

Must Have STEM Tools 

This is curated by new tech extension coach Chris Beyerle.

STEM Apps 

This one is Curated by middle magnet school teacher Angie Bolster-Epps.

Mike co-founder of edshelf

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Geogebra- An Excellent Platform for Math and Science Teachers

March, 2015
Geogebra is an excellent platform that provides a wide range of materials and resources on everything related to mathematics and science.Materials featured in this website are various and work for all levels of education. Geogebra brings together geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics and calculus in one easy-to-use package.

Some of the materials you can access and use with your students from Geogebra include worksheets, books, tools, links, and spreadsheet data files. Geogebra is also a powerful community that hosts millions of users brought together by their love for STEM subjects. You can join discussions, rate materials, comment on what others share and even upload your own materials to share with others. Geogebra is a free open source software freely available for non-commercial users.

Some of the features Geogebra provides for its users include:

* Free to use software for learning, teaching and evaluation
* Fully interactive, easy-to-use interface with many powerful features
* Access to an ever-expanding pool of resources at tube.geogebra.org
* Available in many languages
* A fun way to really see and experience mathematics and science
* Adaptable to any curriculum or project
* Used by millions of people around the world
*Geogebra works across different platforms

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New Tools to Reinforce Students Mathematical Skills

March, 2015
Looking for additional engaging ways to help your students understand mathematical concepts and reinforce their skills? Here are some teacher-tested tools that can help, from calculators to study groups to fun games.

Mathtopia 

Addictive like Candy Crush, but nutritious Math Facts and assessments for the brain.

Base Ten BINGO 

Play a bingo game using base ten blocks as virtual manipulatives.

Scalar 

A calculator that saves all of your past calculations on a virtual piece of paper.

Jasymchat 

Chat with classmates and share mathematical equations represented accurately.

NumberShire 

 A series of math games set in an animated whimsical Renaissance-style kingdom.


Want more? Check out these collections of tools.

Math Manipulatives/Games 

This one is curated by associate professor Brandi Leming.

Free Math Apps - All Grades 

This one is curated by media paraprofessional Natalie Thomas.

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New- CK-12 Now Provides Great Video Resources to Foster Students Mathematical and Critical Thinking Skills

February 6, 2015
Here is an interesting update I received today through an email from the folks in CK-12 informing me of their latest release. CK-12  announces the launch of their interactive math practice problems and videos for grades 1-5. These new resources foster critical thinking skills with practice problems, video hints, and full step-by-step solutions, all clearly aligned to Common Core and State standards. Available anywhere, anytime, completely free.

Here are just a few concepts to get you started. Explore many more!

• Addition and Subtraction Facts 
• Place Values
• Decimals
• Time
• Money

To get started using these resources, head over to this page, and select the grade you are interested in then click on the subject area you want to explore. There are actually 9 subject areas: multiplication and division, multiple operations and grouping, place values, decimals, fractions, time, money measurement and geometry. Each of these subject areas features a wide range of resources and tutorials for students to use in their math learning.

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