5 Powerful Formative Assessment Strategies for Mathematics Classes!

For teachers to successfully deliver new common core based lessons in mathematics to their students, they will need to incorporate a variety of formative assessments to monitor student success in mastering the content or meeting the objective of the lesson.  Asking for a show of hands as to determine if enough of the content has been grasped so the teacher can move on is not efficient.  Formative assessments must go deeper, be more varied, and allow all students-especially English language learners-to fully demonstrate their grasp of lesson content.

In the article " formative assessments in math classes at all levels", the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) offers 5 creative approaches to conducting formative assessments in math classes. 

1.  Be sure students understand the learning goals by clarifying in student friendly language.  Be sure students know the criteria for success.  This provides them with a purpose for learning.
2.  Create a classroom environments filled with effective classroom discussions, questions, activities, and tasks which demonstrate student learning.
3.  Provide feedback that identifies what students are doing well so that they will know what to repeat.  "Good job!" means little if anything since the student doesn't know what he did well/
4.  Have students learn to take charge of their own learning.
5.  Have students support each other within the class as they grapple with ever increasing math problems.  In effect, students should be resources for each other.

The article expand on this of course.  In fact, these suggestions would work in any discipline.

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS


   (pdf of article)

Can Math Be Fun? You Bet:)

Common Core has radically transformed the math class, at all levels, from basic computations to calculus.  The textbook no longer drives classroom instruction.  All levels of math instruction must have a direct tie-in to the real world.  Further, with thoroughly all inclusive classroom activities, all students will have multiple opportunities through multiple venues to master the material.  Standardized tests will no longer drive instruction--no more "one inch deep and one mile-wide" approaches to instruction.  How refreshing:)

My board PINTEREST FOR MATH offers a variety of new ways to view math as teachers.  Pinterest is an account that can be used for academic issues as well as cooking.  Take a look at creative ways to teach all levels of mathematics.  Delight your students in the process.  Develop a love of mathematics in all your students!

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Follow me on TWITTER @ell_teacherpros and Pinterest as dmcyberteacher.

A Good Dose of Fun in Geometry Class Offers Lively Access to Content for Students Who Struggle in Math

For poor readers and many English language learners, the language of geometry can be overwhelming at times.  Though these students can often times with scaffolding handle simple geometry number problems, they struggle with the language of word problems.  The frustration in encountering those "brick walls" often times leads to an unbroken string of poor grades. 

So, what is a teacher to do to provide positive access to the language of geometry?  How about creating a scenario where a background in geometry is needed to build a city?  The problems which will surface here will offer students multiple ways to bring in architecture and civil engineering.  Students in teams of mixed ability will need to basically create the word problem (how to construct a city-roads, bridges, apartments, etc.) and then as a team map out potential solutions.  Once this is done, they are ready to go to: 

BUILDING BLOCKS:  GEOMETRY & MATH-MINDED (SIM) CITY BUILDING  (lessons, planning sheets, questions, etc. are included)

Teachers will delight in seeing the transformation within students as they move from a state of failure (the weak ones that is) to one of imagination and creativity as they put geometry to work in the "real world."  As students take charge in designing this city, they will see members of the team as co-planners and the teacher as a guide.  To build a viable city, the rules of geometry need to be followed and upon completion of the city will come a deeper understanding of how problems dealing with geometry are solved outside the textbook. 

Also, though teachers must register, the site is free:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Follow us on TWITTER@ell_teacherpros

Post-It 3M(TM) Flip Chart, 25" x 30", White, 40 Sheets/Pad (Google Affiliate Ad)
Crayola Original Markers - Broad Line, Classic Colors, 10 ct. (Google Affiliate Ad)
Westcott Stainless Steel Ruler (Google Affiliate Ad)

 

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TURN ABSTRACT INTO CONCRETE IN GEOMETRY CLASS

Long-term English language learners often times struggle with language intensive geometry.  Trying to interact with the heavy textbooks frequently leads to ELLs just sitting passively in the hopes of not being noticed by the teacher.  The fear of having one's weaknesses exposed for all the class to see can be quite intimidating. 

What if teachers took a slightly different approach with easily accessible "intro" materials" at the start of the lesson?  This type of approach allows every student to feel a connection with the upcoming material.  It validates that every student has some experience related to the topic though of varying degrees.  This sets the students up to believe that they will experience success in tackling the topic of the day in geometry class.

In GEOMETRY LESSON, the teacher has some simple materials to start the lesson on quadrilaterals--simple pieces of construction paper, scissors, and pens.  For the kinesthetic learner, cutting the corners and putting them together to discover the properties of quadrilaterals leads to the student's grasping (and therefore remembering) the concept.  ELLs need such approaches as well to fully comprehend the complex content of the subject.  Further, as the teacher has students go through the properties of the quadrilaterals, he maps them out on the white board as students discuss their findings.  The type of mind map presents the complex in a simple format that students can easily copy and most importantly, refer to if they encounter difficulties in completing the assignment.

Though it takes time to generate support materials, it is will worth the effort.  After all, what better feeling could a teacher have than knowing that s/he successfully reached every student in class:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Pacon Riverside Recycled Construction Paper, 76 lb., 12 x 18, Holiday (Google Affiliate Ad)
Westcott 8" Straight KleenEarth Recycled Scissors with Microban (Google Affiliate Ad)

ENGAGING ELLS PRODUCTIVELY IN MATH CLASSES

All too often, ELLs struggle with math content language.  They may get the concept, but they have a difficult time navigating the language of the problem.  Imagine a very simple addition problem for elementary school such as the following:

14 boys and 13 girls went on a fieldtrip to a museum.  How many children went on the trip altogether? 

Problems here for the ELLs are several.  First, the problem talks about boys and girls.  Adding -s to a noun often times makes it plural.  However, the problem now puts in the word CHILDREN.  If the student is an ELL, s/he might be confused on where the word CHILDREN came from.  Then, the ELL sees the word FIELDTRIP.  S/he knows what the words FIELD (open area where games are played) and TRIP (going somewhere to visit someone or a special place) mean individually, but together presents a meaning that may be totally new for her/him.  Last, the word ALTOGETHER is another way of telling the reader to add, but it might not be a vocabulary word the student is familiar with.  So, the bottom line is that teachers may wish to rewrite problems or explain with visuals, cognate dictionaries, etc. words that may be new for ELLs.  How can a teacher know what is new for the student?  Have him/her try to explain what is expected of him/her to do in the problem.  It is at that moment the student will either stumble through it due to language issues or arrive at the correct interpretation on his/her own.

How does a teacher build math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry) vocabulary for ELLs?  Graphic organizers can be quite productive here:  Venn-diagrams to show similarities and differences, charts where terms with like meanings are grouped together (see example on site where under ADDITION, four different terms for the action are listed), concept maps, word walls, math journals where students can keep running records of what they learned in class on any given day,  etc.  For ELLs to make connections to math terminology, they need to be surrounded by it in meaningful formats. 

CONNECTED MATHEMATICS PROJECT offers some very effective, practical, and easy to implement approaches to demystify math language for ELLs. It is a good starting point:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Boardwalk Butcher Paper, 36 x 900', White (Google Affiliate Ad)

Crayola Original Markers - Broad Line, Classic Colors, 10 ct. (Google Affiliate Ad)

Spanish-English Cognates/Los Cognados Espanoles-Ingleses (Google Affiliate Ad)

Great Strategies to Support ELLs in Accessing Geometry

As most teachers already know, geometry has quite a bit of challenging specific subject vocabulary in it.  Though many students have a difficult time with it, English language learners struggle the most since they are tackling unfamiliar content being taught through a language which they are not yet proficient in. 

To support geometry teachers of English language learners, here are some fresh ideas in making the complex understandable.  In GEOMETRY PROJECT WITH ALGEBRA CONNECTIONS, students in London explore geometric figures used in local buildings.  Imagine the impact of seeing geometry in the real world.  This experience breathes life into any geometry textbook.  Those figures really do have meaning.  It is as though the math takes on an ordered life of its own:)  Note the observations the students make in studying these beautiful geometrical figures in their classes.  Then there is the fun project of origami.  Japanese paper art is full of geometry.  Many cultures enjoy it and include it in math classes.  Students of all ages enjoy it and they are working with both algebra and geometry in creating their paper art.

MATH OPEN RESOURCE SITE  Everything math related is included in this open resource site.  It is a good tool to have on class computers for students to refer to as needed.  Homework centers might like it as well just in case the textbook is not enough.  

The U.S. is number 27 in the industrialized world in mathematics.  Common Core offers the potential to reverse this sliding trend:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

P.S.  Our website was just listed one of the top 25 websites for English Buffs! 

Alex Toys 290186 Origami Paper 60-Pkg-Assorted Sizes & Colors (Google Affiliate Ad)

Yasutomo 4307 Fold 'Ems Origami Paper 5.875" 2 (Google Affiliate Ad)

FREE Math Worksheet Generators for All Levels of Mathematics:)

Math teachers are always looking for practice work for their students beyond the textbook.  Here are three sites that will allow a teacher to design and print out activity sheets for their students with just a few clicks.  Each one is FREE! 

What math is covered?  CREATE MATH WORKSHEETS covers basic math facts, telling time, working with money, word scrambles, and mazes.  Though this is more in line with elementary school, older ELL/ESL students with limited school experience from their home countries would benefit from it as part of their English language development/ESL classes.

FUN MATH addresses high school math:  basic math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics.  There are also lots of math games (math logic) and puzzles.  Last, take a look at FUN STUFF.  See math application problems tied to the real world.

MATHSHEET GENERATOR allows algebra to generate worksheets with ease.  Two clicks covering the topic of the day and the teacher will have a worksheet! 

Hope these sites meet your needs:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS 

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator TI-84PLUS (Google Affiliate Ad)
LEARNING RESOURCES LER0053 CALCULATOR CADDY (Google Affiliate Ad)

Liven Up Math Classes With These Videos--Great Additional Support for Struggling Learners

Math language can cause problems for many English language learners.  Math word problems are especially difficult because the language around the word problem can often times be a challenge.  As a very basic example, look at the many synonyms for "DECREASE":  subtract, take away from, lowered by, reduce, minus, etc.  Then there are the NON-MATH words in the problems.  Look at this basic math problem for elementary school:

Five boys and three girls went on a field trip.  How many children went on the field trip all together?

First problem--the problem starts off with BOYS and GIRLS and then combines the two to make CHILDREN.  An ELL will wonder where that word came from (unless the teacher has addressed it).  Then there is the word "FIELD TRIP."  FIELD TRIP to many ELLs would mean a school yard or big open area with trees and lots of room to run and play.  Again, unless the teacher explains that there is not connection between a field and a field trip, the student will be confused.  Last, the words "all together."  To an English speaking student, that means ADD.  That will be a new word for the ELL.   So math teachers will also need to be English language teachers no matter what level of math they teach:)

Since math becomes increasingly more difficult as ELLs move on to middle school and high school, the same problem still faces them---the language of math.  Teachers need to develop the math language before the ELL can undertake solving the problem.

The video sites below offer more support for struggling students both ELLs and EOs.  Since it is visually presented in simple formats, it should be comprehensible for the majority of students.  Students hear the problem, see it drawn out, and watch it being solved as the teacher carefully covers each step of the process slowly and accurately (with a dose of humor throughout).  Further, these are sites that they can access at home, school library, on smart phones, iPads, tablets, etc.  For such students to know that they can revisit a math activity as often as they like until they finally understand it eases some of the stress of trying to learn English and content at the same time. 

Both sites are free of course though they do want students and teachers to register.  If students don't feel comfortable doing this, the teacher can just load these sites on class computers for students to use as needed.

Please note that though I am not a math teacher, I am an instructional coach who looks for practical ways to support all teachers with ELLs in their classes.  So what I share with you here, I pass on to colleagues:)


MATH VIDEOS FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS

HIGH SCHOOL MATH AND BEYOND!

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Canon LS-82Z 8 Digit Basic Calculator LS82ZA (Google Affiliate Ad)
HP g6-1d60us Notebook PC (Google Affiliate Ad)
Acer A200 Iconia Tablet, 16 GB, Titanium Gray XE.H8QPN.001 (Google Affiliate Ad)

DEMYSTIFY MATH PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESSES FOR STUDENTS

For many students, math classes consist of textbook activities and regular assessments.  Due to the pressures of state assessments, high school exit exams, PSAT, SAT, etc., teachers are under a great deal of pressure to stick with the text.  This type of instructional delivery will be changing over the next two years in that now students will be able to SEE how, for example, quadratic equations are used in the real world outside of the math class.  Relevance will be a major component of the new math class.  Teachers might be able to share with kids what they really love about math, what inspired them to pursue studies here and not in another discipline, etc.  Hopefully their love of the subject will catch fire in their classrooms:)

So, how does a teacher bring in project based learning projects into a math class?  Here are some good examples to start with:  statistics, geometry, algebra, and trigonometry.  PROJECT-students are to design a shopping mall.  Notice that for each activity, students are going from known (ex. the structure of a shopping mall) to the unknown (how to use prior knowledge with newly acquired math tools to construct a totally new version of a mall). They will be taking on roles of architects who must design different store sizes to accommodate the needs of prospective merchants, restrooms that allow for minimal care, landscaping within the mall for customers to sit and relax in, an original layout that will draw shoppers, etc.  Math is naturally woven throughout the project.   Since this would be a team effort, each member in the small group could focus on one component of the mall with the understanding that individuals must report out to the group and reach a consensus on the final design.  Students should keep detailed notes on their results and how they arrived at their project contributions.  (ELLs especially would benefit from this since they would be actively acquiring academic vocabulary within context.)  Such skills would easily transfer to the global workforce these students will be a part of when they finish their formal studies.  See the link for some additional ideas.PROJECT BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES IN MATH CLASSROOMS

One suggestion I would offer is that if this approach is new, start out small.  Make notes on what worked and what didn't.  Move on to next project and keep a little journal on how it worked out.  Hang in there.  I guarantee that students will never forget the experience.  Who knows?  There may be some future astronauts, astronomers, architects, engineers, etc. in the class. 

Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS

Lenovo G570 Notebook 4334DBU (Google Affiliate Ad)
Acer A200 Iconia Tablet, 16 GB, Titanium Gray XE.H8QPN.001 (Google Affiliate Ad)

Breaking Down the Language of MATH for ELLs!

To support ELLs in accessing math content and language, teachers will need to do quite a bit of language clarification.  Some of this will entail the rewriting of questions from passive voice (ex.  16 subtracted from 32 equals 16) to active voice (32 minus 16 equals 16).  Other situations will entail words with multiple meanings such as GROSS.  In conversation it means disgusting, but in math, it means total income from sales. 

If ELLs try dictionary definitions, they will be lost.  Instead, this paper from NYU School of Education addresses how to make the language of math problems accessible through a variety of ways.  First, wall charts that have vivid easy to follow definitions to assist students in determining the correct usage.  Then there are graphic organizers such as venn-diagrams where, math "pictures" with their labels could be laid out in such a way as to show ELLs differences and similarities (difference:  rhombus, square, rectangle---similarity:  all 3 have 4 sides).  Of course, there is also the need to highlight key vocabulary students need to know to be able to figure out what is being asked of them.  With a document camera or an iPad, this can be done with ease.  To build this skill, have paper handouts with word problems on them, have them highlight must-know words (with ERASABLE HIGHLIGHTERS), and then discuss meanings.  If they highlighted the wrong words, they can erase them--no waste of paper for you and no loss of confidence for them.  One of the strongest ways to support them is to have them keep math journals (inexpensive composition books will do here).  They will note everything they learn there as well as problems they encountered and then solved.  With a record to refer to in doing future problems, they are not starting from ground zero.


There are many more ideas here along with additional website resources (majority are free, but not all).  Save the PDF in your DropBox folder and refer to it as needed.  Think of it as a free e-book on math:)
ELLS+MATHEMATICS

Denise


ELL TEACHER PROS

OfficeMax Pen Style Chisel Tip Erasable Highlighters, 5 Colored
Composition Book, 7 1/2" x 9 3/4", Wde Ruled

More on Khan Academy--An Outstanding Academic Resource for ALL Students Including ELLs!

Imagine the possibility of students doing the "classwork" at home and the "homework" in school:)  In some schools, this already being done through Khan Academy!  Students work on assignments at home through Khan Tutorials.  These videos are typically about 15 minutes long and are followed by practice.  The system keeps track of progress so the teacher can monitor quality of student work with ease.  Such insight permits the teacher to quickly discern who needs more coaching the next day in class and how much.  For students who seem to have mastered the assigned skill, the teacher can send them on to more complex projects or concepts.  Again, everything the students do, the teacher can track on her/his computer.  Some schools are even keeping their computer labs open late so that ALL children can work with the system.  The passing rates for academically struggling students has improved dramatically for these schools.

Would you like to know more about Sal Khan and how Khan Academy came into existence?  See his interview on 60 Minutes.  60 MINUTES INTERVIEW WITH SAL KHAN  He lives in the Silicon Valley and records his lessons right from his home.  For subject areas he hasn't seen in quite a while, he gets a few textbooks to brush up on the content before he does the videos.  His voice is easy to listen to and his notes on the black screen are in color and easy to follow.

For information on the layout of Khan Academy, see this link:   INFORMATION ABOUT KHAN ACADEMY  Here teachers are provided guidance in setting up assignments and monitoring student progress.  Students earn badges as they successfully complete lessons.  In fact, teachers can even add smiley faces if they like:)  It is amazing how much things as simple as badges can motivate students. 

KHAN DASHBOARD Explores KNOWLEDGE MAPS and how they keep track of progress.  Teachers or students select the area they wish to study (go to SEARCH and enter the subject to be studied).  As students answer questions correctly in the practice, they earn badges.  If they enter the wrong answers, they can watch a video tutorial on how to find the answer.  Imagine how powerful it is for students to have access to immediate tutoring as they encounter problems as opposed to waiting for the next day to see the teacher.


LIBRARY OF OVER 3000 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
Here is the current list of all instructional videos on file.  More are being added in new content areas regularly.

Sign up!  It is free.  If you have computers in your classroom, have your students sign up.  They will develop a new self-confidence in their abilities to do math (at any level):)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

Model FX-300MS Scientific Calculator, 10x2 Display - Calculators
Asus TF300T-B1-BL Tablet PC

FREE Multimedia Approach to Supporting ELLs in ALL Levels of Mathematics

With the new common core standards in mathematics, teachers will need to have students address ongoing problem solving in all areas of math.  The book alone will no longer drive instruction.  High stakes tests will soon take a back seat as students apply all areas of math to life beyond the classroom.  In such a learning environment where students are encouraged to work as teams in finding multiple solutions to real world problems, math will become relevant to all including the ELL.  Word problems will be ones encountered in business.  Team problem solving will take precedence over struggling in isolation.  With such a radical transformation of the classroom, ELLs will develop more confidence in dealing with math since it will finally be accessible.

This site is an excellent multimedia resource covering all areas of math through trigonometry.  Each level of math is accompanied by videos of real world application.  A video often times makes a world of difference to an ELL.  The visual component allows them to SEE the problem and hear the problem discussed.  Once the task is assigned by the teacher, this background information along with the low anxiety of working within a small group (or partner) has the potential to build an ELL's confidence in offering her/his ideas to solve the problem or task.  With a team work approach, students quickly learn that there is more than one way to come to an answer.  Isn't that the goal of team work in the real world?

MATH INTERACTIVES

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS


Texas Instruments TI-1795-SV Desktop Calculator TI-1795SV
Sharp EL377TB 10 Digit Basic Calculator
Casio FX-9750GII Graphic Calculator FX9750GII-WE

How About Some Free Fun Academic Activities for Students Over the Summer?

As summer fast approaches, teachers often wonder how students might be encouraged  to keep up their skills over the summer.  Vacations are fun, but if parents don't find ways to motivate their children (regardless of age) to keep up skills over the summer, their children will be at a disadvantage come the start of school in the fall.

Here is a site geared to all grade levels and content areas that kids might enjoy toying around with over the summer: FUN ACADEMIC CONTENT AREA FOR FREE  This site is free to join and easy to navigate though the younger ones will need some assistance.  If a student only spends 20-50 minutes a week on whatever content area (or areas) s/he likes, s/he will stay reasonably current in skills.

If vocabulary development and writing need support, try SPELLING CITY  Older students can enter SAT words (challenging academic words typically tested in high stakes tests for college examinations) while younger ones can work with simpler vocabulary which parents can input for them.  The game features here tend to be popular since they are all built on the words students are trying to master. 


SMITHSONIAN EDUCATION (SCIENCE PORTAL)  Inspire kids to develop a keen interest in science over the summer.  Everything is here (just enough to spark interest -- never over overwhelming.  or boring in any way) to get kids hooked on science (check out WALKING ON THE MOON).

I will see what other cool academic content review sites I can find before school is out for your students:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

The World of Geometry! Make It Accessible to ELLs:)

This is a 3 dimensional world and therefore provides lots of "instructional material" everywhere you look.  For students, it is an eye-opener.  Challenge them to find all the 3 dimensional objects in your classroom.  Have them find the LENGTH, WIDTH,  and HEIGHT of assigned objects.

Once they have completed that, have them calculate the SURFACE AREAS of those objects.  Once that is done, the next step is to figure out the VOLUME the object takes up.  Take one object, measure length, width, and height.  Show students how to calculate how much space the object takes up using a document camera if you have access to one OR a smartboard.  Then try another object as a team or partner project.  After that, have students try other objects and then share their results (along with explanations as to how they arrived at their answers).    For homework, have them do something similar.  Find 5 objects in their homes and then compute the surface area and volume for each item.  With all the examples from class, they should experience success with it.


GEOMETRIC SHAPES AND MORE

There are many more geometric shape activities here and all tie the abstract to the concrete.

Please note that I am not a math teacher, but often find myself trying to help ELLs see the "big picture" when trying to help them with their geometry homework.  Many times, it is a language issue that they struggle with and not so much the mathematical operations.  

Nice review for finals possibly.

Denise


ELL TEACHER PROS

Khan Academy--114 Geometry Videos To Support Your Instruction

If you are looking to develop more review support in your math classes for your ELLs and others, you should take a look at Khan Academy.  It covers all areas of mathematics and science.  The videos are simple to follow and clearly would support a teacher's instruction.  Further, if you have ELLs in your classes, you can find translations in every subject.  Imagine having a newly arrived Mandarin only speaker and offering this site as a tool to access the content of your lesson.  The anxiety level of that ELL would definitely drop since he or she would not be totally in the dark in following your activity.  KHAN LANGUAGES lists all the languages available on the site.

For this post, I pulled out only one subject area--KHAN ACADEMY GEOMETRY.  Within this section are 114 videos all on geometry.  The total viewing time is slightly over 15 hours.  Though the amount of time on each subject component varies, they typically do not exceed 10 minutes more or less.  Access to the site is free and open to anyone.  Since ELLs typically need to jump two hurdles academically--language and content, they would benefit from such online support because it would provide them with additional practice in mastering the content.

Denise
ELL TEACHER PROS

PS  If you use CHROME as your browser, you may have a problem accessing my blog.  What you should do is ENTER the site (ignore the warnings--for some reason it has a problem with WORDPRESS BLOGS---and then bookmark it.  Once bookmarked, the problem is fixed:)

Have Students Who Need More Support in Math (and more)? This Site Might Help:)

Keeping to the theme of "test prep", this post will cover an easy to navigate website that allows students to review math from basic arithmetic through calculus.  It consists of number problems-no word problems.   This makes it possible for ELLs especially to review the math without struggling with the many language issues that arise in solving math word problems.  This site is a quick assessment of a student's grasp of key concepts.  Students may also retake the quizzes as often as they like.   

Since basic math is part of the site, even students as young as elementary school age would benefit from it.  Computers have infinite patience so those kids who need more time to master the process will have all the time they need.  Further, since the site is free (though you have to register), parents could continue to help them at home.  Since language is not an issue, parents who don't know English but who understand math, would be able to support their children  in honing their math skills at home.  Grades 6-8 (middle school) would have access to pre-algebra and algebra.  Again, the focus here is on computing answers to mathematical equations minus the language.  Once ELLs (and others) understand the layout and purpose of the equation, they are ready (with assistance) to start working on word problems through careful guidance on the part of the teacher and through carefully orchestrated small group OR partner learning activities.  Last, there is high school.  Every level of math from algebra through calculus is here.  Students can monitor their progress through immediate feedback.  If they did poorly, they will have enough specific feedback from the quizzes to know where they need more support from teacher. 

This site also has a few other areas students can assess themselves in as well:
Languages--English, German, French, and Spanish
Geography--Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe
Science--Cells, anatomy, elements, and conversion.
These activities are not as in depth as the math, but still serve as a quick overview review of major concepts covered in class.

THAT QUIZ

Hope your students benefit from the site's offerings:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

The History of Maths! Absolutely Fascinating to Watch:)

Have your students ever wondered how math came into existence?  Of course those few who find the subject exciting need little encouragement here, but for those who do, these sites will provide incredible insight behind numbers and how they came into being:)  As a non-math person, I found this BBC series quite engaging in that its delivery is totally accessible to non-math individuals.  Further, in these videos, every segment of humanity is recognized from every continent.  If you have ELLs in your classes, you see some wide smiles when their culture is showcased.

HISTORY OF MATHS

In HISTORY OF MATHS, you will discover the many paths of discovery humans took along the way trying to find patterns and solve puzzles.  Egyptians were acknowledged at length in their handling of complex mathematics.  Land and taxes were the driving force:)


CONTINUTATION OF EGYPTIAN MATH
This section continues where the introduction left off.   The Babylonians are explored here along with their contributions to math.  Here the links to astronomy and math are a major focus in the clip.  Quadratic equations were also born in Babylonia.  Last, but not least, the concept of ZERO was touched on, but not fully addressed for 1000 years.


HISTORY OF MATH IN ASIA  The 13th century was the golden age of math in China.  Many of the formulas developed were linked also to astronomy.  India is also covered here and the fact that their number system laid the ground for our present day 9 number system.  They also created the number zero (now 0-9 was a reality). 


HISTORY OF MATH IN EUROPE You will travel through Italy and France.  The journey over the history of math in Europe then explores the major contributions of Newton and others to the field of mathematics.

I only wish that such a program as this BBC one had been available when I was in school many years ago.  For me, math class consisted of doing lots of exercises with no history or tie-in to the real world.  I loved this series. 

Denise


ELL TEACHER PROS

Mathematics for ELLs:)

Mathematics can be quite challenging for many ELLs.  The concepts are delivered to them in yet another language---the language of mathematics.  Often times, ELLs have some of the basic terms such as add, subtract, etc., but when word problems enter the picture, they are lost.  Take for example the many ways the function of ADDING is expressed in math problems:  plus, in addition, total, sum, etc.  For the ELL to just know one form of ADD, he will be ill prepared to solve problems where the word ADD is expressed in many ways.  Further, ELLs may not easily see the connection between the math textbook and the real world.  Unless a link is established between the two, the ELL will continue to fall behind his/her English speaking peers. 

How can a bridge to success be established?  Two sites I have here offer some suggestions that may help the classroom teacher build ELL self-confidence in mastering mathematics!

HISTORY OF ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY
In the above site, students will see a detailed review of the history of many areas of mathematics.  This is a way to build cultural pride since the contributions of pre-Greeks are addressed.  In fact, here students will see that many cultures were working with higher thinking math before the Greeks!  Such information can be empowering for many of these students.  Teachers who weave in the achievements of ancient cultures (representative of the students in the class especially) will see a pride in ancestral achievements and that can be a major motivator.

MATH INSTRUCTION FOR ELLS
Colorin Colorado is a powerhouse of everything and anything related to meeting the needs of ELLs at all grade levels.  For this post, I pulled their section on making math accessible to ELLs.  Here there are some excellent tips to turn the incomprehensible to comprehensible with ease.  A few of the suggestions are allowing students to collaborate with bilingual peers.  The class would still be conducted in English, but ELLs would be able to clarify tasks with peers.  Another strategy is to address vocabulary with multiple meanings.  Take the example given here where the question is to FIND X.  The task here is to FIND THE ANSWER and not FIND the X.  Teachers should also identify  KEY VOCABULARY before the lesson so that they will be ready to support ELLs with clear ELL-friendly definitions to support them throughout the lesson.  You will also find some additional math links towards the end of the article as well.

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

PS  If you have already voted for my blog, thank you.  If not, please consider voting for me.  Voting continues through 11:59 Sunday evening:)

MATH: From Textbook to REAL WORLD CAREERS!

If you are a math teacher, you have probably heard your students wonder how algebra could ever be used in the real world. They never seem to make the connection that mathematics does have a life beyond the classroom:)

The site, MATH IN THE REAL WORLD, takes algebra and shows its direct connection to music, the clothing industry, and the world of video games. You see the professionals in each field talking about how math is instrumental in their line of work first. Such insight will open up a lively class discussion as students try to make the connection, but then the website goes a bit further in that students in the film are presented with a REAL WORLD problem in the assigned industry to solve as a team. Every student is actively engaged in a team approach to solving the assigned task.

When the classroom teacher is done having students in his/her class come up with possible solutions (and there is almost always more than one), the teacher may click on the link which shows how the student teams arrived at viable solutions to each of the problems. Here is where the classroom teacher can lead the class in making comparisons of the two approaches (class approach and the one or ones used by the students in the videos).

I wish my math teachers had put a "face" on math for me a zillion years ago. I might have learned to like it:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS

FREE Video Support and More in BASIC Math THROUGH Calculus:)

If you have your own website or a blog for your students in your math class, you might want to add this one. The videos are delivered through engaging teachers who really seem to enjoy all phases of math instruction. If you want kids to develop an interest in math, you need to be enthusiastic about it. Teacher enthusiasm about her/his subject can be quite infectious:)

This site could be that extra support for those (especially ELLs) who need more time to process the information. Students can watch them at home as often as they like for free. If browsing for videos doesn't offer exactly what you want, check by book. Click on the copy you are using in your class, and all the videos will be listed in the order that they appear in the textbook.

Students can also input problems on their own if they need help in solving them, but they will only receive the answer. If they need the steps that take you to the answer, there is a fee. However, students can always bring the problem to class where the problem could be solved in class either in small groups or whole class discussion.

Students can also get help from the MATH HELP forum. Immediate answer only responses are free.


BRIGHTSTORM -- free support for your math classes:)

Denise

ELL TEACHER PROS