Integrating Literacy and Mathematics

As the importance of integrating literacy and mathematics is being stressed more and more in our elementary schools, Investigations has compiled a list of recommended childrens’ books with math themes.  The list is broken in to grades K-2 and grades 3-5.  The RACCEMS has also compiled a list of favorite mathematics books on our website!

What are some of your favorite childrens’ math books? What are some strategies for integrating literature into your mathematics lessons (or mathematics into your ELA lessons!)?  Comment below to share!

Kinetic City – Another Great Science Website for Students!

Check out Kinetic City and save the earth from knowledge-eating viruses!  Games include:

•  A Touch of Class – pick out different categories of animals and see how high you can score!
• All Systems are Go- test your knowledge about different body systems by putting all of your patient’s organs back in his body one system at a time!
• Slush Rush – keep the space customers happy by making decision about how to run your slush stand!
• Power Up- decide what type of power to use in your city without destroying the environment or going broke!
• Gravity Launch – use thrust, angle, and launch to send your spaceship into orbit!

 

Note to Teachers: Kinetic City comes with an educators page where you can learn about the web site and how to set up a science club in your school!

Education Week Celebrates STEM!

The online magazine Education Week is focusing on STEM Education with Technology Counts 2008: STEM: The Push to Improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Check out the detailed state reports on STEM and featured stories, including Learning to Teach with Technology and Finding Kernels of Scientific Sense.

What are some other ways that we can make STEM subjects exciting?

STEM Summer Teaching Institutes

The Center for Excellence in Math and Science is pleased to sponsor six high-quality professional development Institutes for K-12 teachers.  Each Institute will be led by regional college faculty in a challenging one or two-week session.  Institutes will be comprised of classroom sessions and may include lab or field experiences, followed by a variety of interactions with instructors and colleagues during the school year. 

Courses include Inquiry in Earth Science (Gr. 6-8), Mathematics, Science, and Technology (Gr. 5-8), Biotechnology (Gr. 7-12), Finger Lakes GIT Ahead (Gr. 6-12), Exploring Algebraic Patterns and Relationships through the use of Videocases (Gr. 5-12), and Inquiry-Based, Interdisciplinary Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Literacy (Gr. K-6).

Download the STEM Institutes Brochure here, or visit the RACCEMS website for full course descriptions and information for how to register!

Summer Camps in the Rochester Area

The RAC-CEMS is excited to showcase several summer camps from around the Rochester region that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  These is a great way for kids enjoy summer vacation while having fun and exercising their minds!  View discriptions of the various camps here.

Have you or your kids been to any of the  listed camps?  Comment below to share your stories! 

Mathematics Presidental Report

Check out the 2008 U.S. Department of Education’s Final Report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel.  Perhaps most interesting are the Main Findings and Recommendations starting (starting on page xvi) concerning Curricular Content, Learning Processes, Teachers and Teacher Education, Instructional Practices, Instructional Materials, Assessment, & Research Policies and Mechanisms.

Check out the report and share your thoughts below!

BrainPOP Activities for Kids!

BrainPOP Math and BrainPOP Science are two more great sites to share with students!

At BrainPOP Science investigate the two hundred and three categories presented. Each concept offers descriptions and animations that stretch learners’ understanding of science. At BrainPOP Math there are sixty-eight mathematical concepts to pop your brain! Each concept offers descriptions and animations that stretch learners understanding of mathematics. Explore concepts that connect within and across topics. Sign up for a free trial at both locations, and access the sites for five days.

Share your favorite activities below!

F.R.E.E. Resources for Teachers

F.R.E.E. (Federal Resources for Educational Excellence) provides free teaching and learning resources from federal agencies. Resources are broken up into Arts & Music, Health & Phys Ed, History & Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Science.

 

Check out some of the resources and then comment below to share your favorites!

Math Help is on the Way!

Are you an elementary school teacher or parent of an elementary school child?  The U.S. Department of Education has created a booklet, Helping Your Child Learn Mathematics, that includes a range of activities for families with children from preschool age through grade 5 to make learning math FUN! These activities use materials found inside any home and also make learning experiences out of everyday routines, such as grocery shopping and doing laundry. The activities are designed for parents to share math fun with their children while developing and reinforcing mathematical skills.

Check out the activities and let us know what you think!

Want to Speak at the AMTNYS Fall Conference?

Proposals to speak at the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State annual fall conference on Nov 6-8, 2008 in Rye, NY are due March 21, 2008.  Speaker proposal forms are available on the AMTNYS website!  Presentation types include sessions (60 min), hands-on workshops (75min), mini-courses (2 hours) and computer labs (75 min). 

 Use the “comment” button below to discuss possible topics and get feedback for your ideas!