NIMS Mathematics & Science

Page Contents

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Standards

ISBE Mathematics Assessment Page - This comprehensive page has links to the Illinois Learning Standards, Illinois Mathematics Assessment Framework, Interactive ISAT and PSAE Sample Items, ISAT Mathematics Sample Books, Extended-Response Mathematics Scoring Rubric, Mathematics Word Lists, and more. Note: the ISAT will be changing for Spring 2006. Look for changes on this page in the future.

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics - This NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) document came out in 2000. It includes the Math Standards and Expectations.Curriculum Focal Points.

National Mathematics Advisory Panel Final Report - Released March 13, 2008.

Geometry

Geogebra - a free and multi-platform dynamic mathematics software for schools that joins geometry, algebra and calculus. http://www.geogebra.org/cms/

Wingeom - dynamic geometry software. A free alternative to Geometer's Sketchpad®.  Click here for a 1-page handout on Wingeom (Word doc). Part of Peanut Software.

Click Here for Geoboard Dot paper and here for Isometric Dot Paper.

Area and Perimeter Applet from http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/

Virtual Geoboard (plain one) from http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/vlibrary.html

Tessellate a Quadrilateral or Tessellate! (a triangle, rectangle, or hexagon) from Shodor Curriculum Materials.

Geometric Solids from NCTM Illuminations (Note: shift-click to color faces and edges).

Geometry Center - At Science U. Good stuff on tilings, symmetry, and more. Check out Kali, where you can interact with the frieze and wallpaper patterns.

Spaceship Builder - Area and perimeter game from CyberChase Games.
Point of View Game - 3D visualization game from CyberChase Games.

Polygons Around a Point - Use regular polygons to surround a point in a plane. Make designs. Record your designs. Try not to have gaps or overlaps.

Computer Technology for Middle School

New E-Labs site - This is a new (shockwave based) version of the popular E-labs (java based) we've used for years. Part of the Learning Site, from Harcourt School Publishers. Math Jingles are new.

Classzone - my understanding is that this site may be used for educational purposes, even if you are not using their books. Lots of nice annimations and learning games.

Project Interactivate - For me, right now, this is the Number One Free Math Site on the Internet for interactive applets! (Otherwise known as the "Shodor Applets.")

VisualFractions.com - That's it.  Learn about fractions visually.  Includes equivalent fractions, mixed fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions.  Learning games included.

Fraction Model - Set, Circle/Area, and length/rectangle models. Version 1, 2, 3 (NCTM).

Huge Virtual Manipulatives Site - Click in the body of the table for the standard and grade level band.

Peanut Software - This is great software and it's free!  "Wingeom" does many of the same things as Geometer's Sketchpad (and some new things too). 

Powers of Ten - View the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. Then move through space towards the Earth in successive orders of magnitude until....(try it!).

CyberChase Games - From PBSKIDS. Click here for my descriptions and my evaluation of the games. For K-7 students. Part of Cyberchase.

Data Analysis and Probability

NCTM Illuminations: Contains links to several interactive applets as well as many lessons for data analysis, probability, and statistics. http://illuminations.nctm.org/

NCTM Math E-Examples: Contains links to several interactive applets including the runner applet(5.2); the mean/median applet(6.6), and the analysis of the least-squares regression line(7.4). http://standards.nctm.org/document/eexamples/index.htm

Plop It - Build line plots of data using your mouse. View how the mean, median, and mode change as entries are added to the plot.

Don Powers' Web site - http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfdjn/powers.htm

Virtual Math manipulatives: great resource for standards and grade-levels. http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

Shodor applets on data analysis and probability: http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/index.html#pro

Polynomiography: a unique, artistic way to visualize polynomials and roots: http://www.polynomiography.com/

Comparing Properties of the Mean and the Median - Use can manipulate the seven data values and see how the mean and median are effected.

National Center for Education Statistics - Very good site. Has both resources for teachers to use in the classroom and statistical information on the state of education. Has:

DIG Stats - Delve into Descriptive and Inferential statistics, and then proceed to Graphical analysis. Each section provides overviews with related activities. The activities contain data sets for students to use, either with spreadsheets or calculators.

Algebraic Modeling

nimsalgebra.pbwoks.com - wiki site with agendas, mimio files, and list of the Games we've played.

Math Fundamentals - Fractions and Integers. Including the Fraction Review Sheet (2-sided to print)

Link to Jim Olsen's Online Math Games, Demonstration/Exploration Tools, & Puzzles (organized by grade, K through 12).

Link to Jim Olsen's Online Mathematics Practice Worksheets/Quizzes and Review Resources

Algebra Links and Games (most of these links are listed elsewhere but copied here so we have an "algebra list")

  1. Seesaw Logic - http://www.schooltimegames.com/Mathematics/SeesawLogic.html
  2. The Function Machine - http://hotmath.com/util/hm_flash_movie.html?movie=/learning_activities/interactivities/function_machine.swf&return_to=Algebra%20Activities%20-%20Math%20Activities%20-%20Hotmath&title=The%20Function%20Machinehttp://hotmath.com/util/hm_flash_movie.html?movie=/learning_activities/interactivities/function_machine.swf&return_to=Algebra%20Activities%20-%20Math%20Activities%20-%20Hotmath&title=The%20Function%20Machine
  3. Math Fundamentals Home Page (Fractions & Integers) - http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjro1/wiu/MathFundamentals/index.htm
    1. Color Chips-Addition - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_161_g_2_t_1.html
    2. Color Chips-Subtraction - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_162_g_2_t_1.html
  4. Algebraic Reasoning - http://www.mathplayground.com/Algebraic_Reasoning.html
  5. Algebra Puzzle - http://www.mathplayground.com/Algebra_Puzzle.html
  6. Weigh the Wangdoodles - http://mathplayground.com/wangdoodles.html
  7. Late Delivery - http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/shockwave/games/postie.html
  8. Line Gem - http://funbasedlearning.com/algebra/graphing/lines/default.htm
  9. Algebra vs. Cockroaches - http://hotmath.com/hotmath_help/games/kp/kp_hotmath_sound.swf
  10. Spotting Numbers - http://enlvm.usu.edu/ma/nav/activity.jsp?sid=__shared&cid=emready@patterns_relations_functions&lid=1&aid=2
  11. Algebra Balance Scales - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_324_g_4_t_2.html?open=instructions&from=grade_g_4.html
  12. Modeling Equations ("dock the space shuttle") - http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/pre_alg/resources/applications/animations/chapter_03/html/palg04_3_3_pg133.html
  13. Function Flyer (works with any function) - http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/FunctionFlyer/
  14. Powers of 10 Applet - Zoom in from the universe down to a leaf and inside the leaf - http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html

Others

  1. Number Balls (positive and negative numbers) - http://www.schooltimegames.com/Mathematics/NumberBalls.html
  2. Number Line Bounce - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_107_g_1_t_1.html
  3. Circle 0 - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_122_g_4_t_1.html?open=instructions
  4. Linear Function Machine - http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/LinearFunctMachine/
  5. Evaluating Expressions - http://www.aaamath.com/equ723-evaluate-1variable.html
  6. Order of Operations - http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mejhm/html/object_interactives/order_of_operations/use_it.html
  7. Equation Buster - http://mathsnet.net/algebra/equation.html
  8. Find the Function - http://www.fi.uu.nl/toepassingen/02023/toepassing_wisweb.en.html
  9. Shooting Balls - http://www.fi.uu.nl/toepassingen/00065/toepassing_wisweb.en.html
  10. Algebra Four - http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/AlgebraFour/

Review for TI-73 Calculator (PDF-format) - available on exams.
Steps for using the TI-73+ for finding regression models for data - available on the final exam.

Problem Solving and Extended Response (sources of problems for extended response and short-answer)

TIPS - Tipping the Scales In Problem Solving. Open-response items for early elementary through junior high. Student work included. From a grant project at W.I.U.

Balanced Assessment in Mathematics - Contains a library of 300 assessment tasks for grades K to 12. (Originally from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.)

Problems With A Point - Problems "with a Point" help students in grades 6-12 learn new mathematical ideas by building on old ones. In a searchable database format.

State Assessment Links

ISAT Mathematics page - has links to "released" extended response items and to the NAEP web site.

Illinois Assessment frameworks—state guidelines for curriculum grade by grade http://www.isbe.net/assessment/IAFIndex.htm.

ISBE assessments and sample ISATS—ISBE promoted lessons sorted by grades http://www.isbe.state.il.us/ils/math/capd.htm

Illinois Interactive Report Card: Contains great data about schools and test scores in Illinois. http://iirc.niu.edu/

Action Research and Evaluation

Action Research

Action Research Reporting Form - Word document (to download, right-click and Save Target As...). This form was originally typed up by Melfried Olson.

Data Spreadsheets (Excel) ~ Can to used to record pretest and posttest data. (Can work for math or science data.)

Science Data Chart (Word) ~ Phase 2A Science - Data Format - Observation & Inference-1.doc

Grade Level Assessments (Here They Are !!)

Directions

Math

Science

Rubric Building

Rubistar - Create Rubrics for your problem solving, project, writing, and assessment activities. Part of 4teachers.org.

Links to other rubric tools found here.

NIMS Information & Contact Information

NIMS is the Northwestern Illinois Math and Science Partnership. It is funded by the ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnership (IMSP) Program.

Lee/Ogle Regional Office of Education

Amy Jo Clemens - Regional Superintendent & NIMS Administrator
Karen Reck - Professional Development NIMS Administrator
Tim Berogan - Technology Coordinator

Rock Island Regional Office of Education

Ron Vail - Consultant & NIMS Administrator
Amy Sandgren - Consultant & NIMS Administrator

Course Instructors

Robert Mann - Data Analysis and Probability
Melfried Olson - Geometry
Howard Hansen - Computer Technology for Middle School
Jim Olsen - Algebraic Modeling
Kim Hartweg - Data Analysis and Probability
Barbara Sandal - Science
Lavern Logan - Science
Don Powers - Science

Back to Jim Olsen's
Teaching Resources Page ~ Homepage

URL/Location: www.riroe.com/nims/nims09.htm

James R. Olsen
E-mail: jrolsen@fastmail.fm
updated February 3, 2010