MEMO

To:      Principal, K – 8th Grade

From: Susan Milovich, Technology Facilitator

Subj.: Technology solutions to address weaknesses in math objectives on district tests.

Date:  May 2005

 

Recommendation - An exciting way to engage children in math is to set up a schedule for students in each 4- computer classroom to utilize interactive activities on the Internet and educational software that address the weaknesses found on the district tests.  The following is a list of free websites and inexpensive computer programs that the district can purchase to help our students meet the math goals.  The Technology Facilitator will get together with the grade level teachers to determine which skills need additional practice. 

 

Assessment - On-line quizzes that can be scored and recorded at Quizlab  (http://www.quizlab.com/default.cfm) will be created to monitor the progress across objectives and grade levels and insure longitudinal tracking. Quizlab is available for up to 6 accounts at $32.95 per account. 

 

K - 5

Valuable Websites

PBS Teachers Source at http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/math.htm for interactive math games from televisions shows like Cyber Chase and Arthur that are about symmetry, estimation, 3-D shapes, probability, etc.  Free.

Fun Brain at http://www.funbrain.com/connects your class to games about the number line, fact drills, finding points on a graph, making change, order of operations and putting numbers in order, etc.  Free.

 

Computer Software

Mia’s Math Adventure from Kutoka and Topics Entertainment incorporates math skills into the learning games that a mouse named Mia needs to complete. The challenges are within Mia’s journey; as tasks are done, the player earns missing parts to build a time machine.  Concepts include number sense, geometry, spatial orientation, time, computation, measuring temperature, comparing and estimating numbers, fractions and problem solving.  $19.95 per each program.

 

Middle School

Valuable Websites

The Math File Game Show at http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/index.shtml - Operations, DData Handling, Shape and Space Measurement, Algebra.  Free.

Mathdork at http://www.mathdork.com/ for all types of Algebra tutoring and games about the value of exponents, signed numbers and like terms. Download for $29.95 at 6 workstations

 

Computer Software

Math & Music by Wildridge Education includes: speed at basic operations, ancient number systems, prime numbers, trigonometry, algebra, ratios and fractions.  The CD-ROM has high-quality supplemental material including a math workbook, textbook, teacher solution set and teacher and student guides that are printed using Acrobat Reader. The program includes tests, guides, practice problems and challenges.  $32 per CD for 12 workstations

 

Professional Development

The Technology Facilitator will put together a professional development in-service program that will be presented during several faculty meetings to introduce Quizlab and the new software programs on the wireless lab computers.  She will also prepare materials that each teacher to use in his/her classroom.  The wireless lab will be equipped with bookmarks to the appropriate sites and the children will be given instruction early in the year as to their use.  As the Technology Facilitator is a salaried position the professional development does not incur any costs.