Showing posts with label Math. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Math. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Math Without Numbers by Milo Beckman

Posted by Abouz on August 10, 2021 with No comments


Math Without Numbers  by Milo Beckman 



the only numbers in this book are the page numbers.

Math Without Numbers is a vivid, conversational, and wholly original guide to the three main branches of abstract math—topology, analysis, and algebra—which turn out to be surprisingly easy to grasp. This book upends the conventional approach to math, inviting you to think creatively about shape and dimension, the infinite and infinitesimal, symmetries, proofs, and how these concepts all fit together. What awaits readers is a freewheeling tour of the inimitable joys and unsolved mysteries of this curiously powerful subject.

Like the classic math allegory Flatland, first published over a century ago, or Douglas Hofstadter's Godel, Escher, Bach forty years ago, there has never been a math book quite like Math Without Numbers. So many popularizations of math have dwelt on numbers like pi or zero or infinity. This book goes well beyond to questions such as: How many shapes are there? Is anything bigger than infinity? And is math even true? Milo Beckman shows why math is mostly just pattern recognition and how it keeps on surprising us with unexpected, useful connections to the real world.

The ambitions of this book take a special kind of author. An inventive, original thinker pursuing his calling with jubilant passion. A prodigy. Milo Beckman completed the graduate-level course sequence in mathematics at age sixteen, when he was a sophomore at Harvard; while writing this book, he was studying the philosophical foundations of physics at Columbia under Brian Greene, among others.

 

Saturday, June 23, 2012

المشروع البريطاني لتحسين تدريس الرياضيات

Posted by Abouz on June 23, 2012 with No comments


المشروع البريطاني لتحسين تدريس الرياضيات
الان يمكن تحميل مجموعات اسطوانات برنامج " المشروع البريطاني لتحسين تدريس الرياضيات"
او "Improving learning in mathematics"

(ويرجع الفضل في معرفتنا بالبرنامج الى الاستاذ خالد حسني الذي بدأ الموضوع ولكن الظروف حالت دون استكماله)
وبالبحث على الانترنت وجدت موقع يمكننا منه تحميل المجموعه كامله





من هنا

Math Open Reference

Posted by Abouz on June 23, 2012 with No comments
Math Open Reference is a free online reference for teachers and students. Math Open Reference features animated and interactive drawings to demonstrate geometry terms and concepts. The table of contents on Math Open Reference is divided into four basic categories; plane geometry, coordinate geometry, solid geometry, and function explorer tools. Click on any subject in the first three categories to find definitions, examples, and interactive drawings. In the function explorer category users can select linear functions, quadratic functions, or cubic functions to explore how changes in variables affect the graphed output.














Applications for Education
Math Open Reference probably still isn't complete enough to replace a textbook, but it could make a great supplement to the mathematics textbooks that you do use. For students who need visual references, Math Open Reference could be particularly helpful.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

11 Mathematics Resources to Try in 2011

Posted by Abouz on June 17, 2012 with No comments

To start off the new year, each day this week I'll be posting a list of eleven resources to try in a particular content area. Today's list is for mathematics teachers, tomorrow's list will be for science teachers.

Brain Nook is a virtual world in which students can practice their mathematics and English skills. Brain Nook provides students with a series of scenarios that they have to resolve by answering mathematics and language arts questions. The first scenario presented to me when I tried out Brain Nook required me to earn coins to buy materials for a vehicle that I would then use to explore one of the virtual worlds. I could earn coins by answering questions correctly. Brain Nook presents students with questions based on their skill levels which is determined by a quick pre-assessment and adjusted as they progress through Brain Nook's virtual worlds. 

Learn Your Tables is a neat little site for students to use to learn and develop multiplication skills. The site offers two basic games on two different levels. The most basic game is a simple drag and drop activity in which students match equations to their correct answers. The more "advanced" game has students enter the correct answer to a multiplication question. The easier of the two levels only contains problems from one multiplication table while the more difficult level contains problems from multiple multiplication tables.

Ten Marks, an online mathematics tutoring service, offers a free program for teachersTen Marks for educators is designed to be a supplement to classroom instruction, not a replacement for it.
Ten Marks provides educators with an online forum in which they can assign mathematics practice problems to students and track their students' progress. If a student gets stuck on a problem he or she can open a tutorial to help him or her through the problem. Ten Marks provides teachers with the option to CC parents on the assignments sent to students. The online curriculum provided by Ten Marks can be aligned to the state standards a teacher chooses.

Yummy Math is a website designed for the purpose of sharing mathematics problems and scenarios based on things happening in the world today. For example, the activity for December 4th was based on Lebron James's return to Cleveland. Yummy Math lists activities chronologically as well as by mathematics subject area. Two mathematics teachers, Brian Marks and Leslie Lewis, developed Yummy Math and welcome suggestions from other mathematics teachers. 

Web2.0calc is a free online scientific calculator. While it won't replace the TI-84 Plus, it can do what your average high school student needs it to do. The best part is, you don't have to use it on the Web2.0calc site because they offerthree widgets that you can use to embed the calculator into your own blog or website.
Math Open Reference is a free online reference for geometry teachers and students. Math Open Reference features animated and interactive drawings to demonstrate geometry terms and concepts. The table of contents on Math Open Reference is divided into four basic categories; plane geometry, coordinate geometry, solid geometry, and function explorer tools. Click on any subject in the first three categories to find definitions, examples, and interactive drawings. In the function explorer category users can select linear functions, quadratic functions, or cubic functions to explore how changes in variables affect the graphed output.

When it comes to creative uses of Google tools, Tom Barrett is certainly a leader that we can all learn from. A great example of this can be found in Tom's Math MapsMath Maps are Google Maps on which Tom and others have created placemarks which when clicked reveal mathematics questions for students to answer based on the maps. There are questions available for every elementary school grade level. The placemarks are color-coded to indicate the level of the questions. Blue = Kindergarten, Red = 1st grade, Green = 2nd grade, Light Blue = 3rd grade, Yellow = 4th grade, Purple = 5th grade. Visit Tom Barrett's Math Maps page to view the existing Math Maps and read about how to contribute to the existing Math Maps.

Math Live is a neat mathematics website developed by Learn AlbertaMath Live presents students with animated stories that teach mathematics lessons. In all there are twenty-three lessons for elementary school and middle school students. The lessons are divided into four categories; Number, Patterns and Relations, Shape and Space, Statistics and Probability. Each animated lesson is accompanied by a mathematics worksheet that students complete either while watching the lesson or after viewing the lesson. Each lesson is divided into sections and students can advance or rewind as needed.

Conceptua Math is a provider of interactive visual mathematics lessons. Conceptua Math's primary focus is on the development of tools to aid teachers in the instruction of lessons on fractions. Conceptua Math's offerings are a mix of free and premium (paid) tools. There are a total of fifteen free interactive tools for teachers and students. Each of the free tools has an introductory video and a sample lesson plan.

If you've seen Dan Meyer's TED Talk, Math Class Needs a Makeover, you already know that he's an awesome educator. If you haven't seen his talk, go watch it now then come back to this post. This past summer Dan Meyer published his entire 38 week Algebra curriculum complete with slides, handouts, and just about everything you need in order to deliver the lessons. You can download each week individually or download the entire collectionas one file. Dan Meyer also has his entire 38 week Geometry curriculumavailable for free. Again, you can download each week individually or download the entire collection as one file.

Plus Magazine is a free online publication dedicated to introducing readers to practical applications of mathematics. Plus Magazine strives to reach that goal through the publication of mathematics-related news articles, podcasts, and mathematics puzzles designed around "real-life" scenarios.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Glencoe Online - Explore Virtual Math Manipulatives

Posted by Abouz on June 13, 2012 with No comments


Virtual math manipulatives is a new creative technique to teach children many of the core principles of mathematics. The folks at the McGraw Hill School Education Group have created an amazing tool as part of their educational resource called Glencoe Online



http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/mathematics/ebook_assets/vmf/VMF-Interface.html

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Math Relax: A Guided Visualization for Overcoming Test Anxiety in Math

Posted by Abouz on January 24, 2012 with No comments
If you are nervous during tests, try listening to this every night for a few weeks. (Although I don't feel the quality is perfect, and eventually hope to redo it, many students have found it very helpful.)

If you like it, please let me know.



This recording combines relaxation techniques with a guided meditation focused on enjoying math (and tests) more. It may seem absurd now, but if you repeatedly imagine yourself actually looking forward to a test, then you’ll eventually find your outlook at test time to be at least a little bit more positive. The techniques I use in this recording are taken from the work of Margo Adair in her book on applied meditation, Working Inside Out.


Credits
Voice: Sue VanHattum
Flute music: Wayne Organ
Applied Meditation Concepts: Margo Adair
Script: Sue VanHattum
Recording Studio: Contra Costa College
Preliminary Release: Muskegon Community College
Tested by: students at Muskegon Community College and Contra Costa College



If you find this helpful, please let me know. If it has made a big difference for you, please consider making a donation in Margo Adair's name to one of the following organizations. Margo Adair died of cancer on September 2, 2010. Please make sure the organization is still active before donating.



How To Use This Recording

Before listening to this recording for the first time, read “That’s How Math Is” (below), which talks about math learning, and includes a summary of problem-solving steps, so you can approach math from a good perspective.

The more often you listen to this recording, the more effect it will have. I recommend listening at bedtime every night. (Don’t worry if you fall asleep during the recording, your subconscious will still hear it.) If possible, start at least 2 weeks before your next test. Whenever you start, keep using this recording through at least two months and two tests. Whether it’s helpful or not, I’d like to hear from you.

Contact me if you'd like a script of the recording. (Useful if you want to make a recording in a different voice, or with changes to the words, perhaps to use for a different subject.)

Jean Harvey, a student who used this while taking the Beginning Algebra course at Contra Costa College, says it took about 3 weeks of listening to it every night for it to make a difference. She didn’t expect to pass 118 and ended up earning a B in the course. She went from a 69% on the first test to a 96% on the second test.


“That’s How Math Is…”

Some things to know about learning math:
• In an ideal world, everyone would have lots of hands-on experiences to help them internalize ideas related to number, would always learn at their own pace, on their own schedule, and would have access to tutors and mentors who love math and love helping people find a good path to follow in order to learn it.

This is not that world - many students learned math from teachers who were themselves uncomfortable with it. (I’d guess about 4 out of 5 people are uncomfortable with math, and elementary teachers probably aren’t much different than the general population in this.) Those teachers were not able to explain math concepts in a way that made them make sense, and were often tense and would do ineffective things like requiring students to follow the book’s method. So the cycle of discomfort continues.

• Math concepts build on the ones before in a way that’s not seen in any other subject area. Even with good teachers, if you miss a few months in third grade (for example), that hole may cause you grief forever. If you recognize that there are holes in your past learning, it will be especially helpful to work with a good tutor or mentor to fill them in.







• Math is not about memorization; it’s about understanding. Ask why every step of the way, and you’ll learn math in a deeper, more satisfying way. 

• Once you understand something well in math, it suddenly seems so easy that it’s hard to understand why it took so long to ‘get it’. This is true with any new concept, but it’s particularly noticeable with math: Imagine… You’re in class, struggling with a problem that seems impossible, and the person next to you blurts out “That’s easy!” You feel like a fool. It’s happened to just about everyone, including that person who thought it was easy. This happens partly because new synapses (connections between neurons/brain cells) are made as you learn – once they’re made the thing that seemed impossible now seems easy.

Even mathematicians are likely to feel dumb at first when looking at a new problem. That sensation of having no clue how to get started can be overwhelming. But the good mathematician has had enough successful experiences in their past that they find it easier to tell themselves they can do it. (When faced with a problem that’s hard for me, I often have this argument going on in my head: I can’t do this! Yes you can. No I can’t…)

Good mathematicians also have some techniques for problem-solving that help them break things down. Here are the 4 steps that George Polya proposed (but there's much more to it than this). More on this here.
1. Understand the problem.
2. Make a plan for how you might solve it.
3. Carry out your plan.
4. Look back. (Check your work, see how it might apply to other problems, etc.)

Solving math problems can be a real struggle, but the satisfaction once you do solve your problem can be quite powerful. Think of math problems as puzzles to solve, think of yourself as a detective, and have fun!




Added on 11/21/11: Test anxiety can be addressed in many ways. This guided visualization is one way. Googling 'test anxiety' will help you find many other ways. One method you might find helpful is describedhere, along with the research supporting it.




the source http://mathmamawrites.blogspot.com/2009/09/math-relax-guided-visualization-for.html

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Blogs about: Elementary Math

Posted by Abouz on March 06, 2010 with No comments
Featured Blog

Motivation for Math - Is it Possible?

goldstudentcom wrote 2 days ago: Motivation in math, or the concept of motivational math is a rare concept indeed! There are very few … more →

Helping Your Child to Concentrate on Math

goldstudentcom wrote 4 days ago: Children often seem to have trouble focusing on school work, and it is often difficult to get them t … more →

Multiplication Trick: x 25

joshturtle wrote 6 days ago: This is a simple trick that anyone can easily learn. It is just a trick for multiplying a number by … more →

10 Ways Incorporating Daily Activities Will Help Make Math Fun2 comments

goldstudentcom wrote 1 week ago: Making math easy for kids and making math fun for kids doesn’t have to be a challenge. There a … more →

10 Ways Math Can Help Your Child's Future1 comment

goldstudentcom wrote 1 week ago: As adults we use math every day.  But who would have thought that the math lesson plans we followed … more →

10 Ways to Tell Your Child Needs Help in Math1 comment

goldstudentcom wrote 1 week ago: Children can need help in math whether they are at grade level, working above their grade, or if the … more →

Place Value Rods

educationemporium wrote 1 week ago: The Place Value Rods Activity, made by Learning Resources,  is an ideal way to help children grasp t … more →

Pizza Fractions

educationemporium wrote 1 week ago: The current philosophy regarding teaching math encourages us to make math more “hands-on … more →

Sets on Sale: Multiplication, Division and Milk Cartons

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: What a great resource for parents and teachers!  This four-volume group includes books published by … more →

Sets on Sale: Early Skills Math

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: What a great resource for parents and teachers!  This three-volume group includes books published by … more →

Sets on Sale: Complete Books of Multiplication

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: I have a limited stock of books that I have combined as sets.  This set would be excellent for provi … more →

Sets on Sale: Grade 1 and 2 Math

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: I have a limited stock of books that I have combined as sets.  This set would be excellent for provi … more →

Sets on Sale: Grade 1 and 2 Math

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: I have a limited stock of books that I have combined as sets.  This set would be excellent for provi … more →

daily #elementary #math activity for 2/2/2010

Mango Math wrote 1 month ago: Last night I made a 9 x 12 pan of chocolate chip cookies. I cut the cookies into 3″ squares. H … more →

Guided Math Lessons Using Tens Frames

drnickinewton wrote 1 month ago: Tens frames are a great tool for teaching guided math lessons.  The ten-frame provides a spatial rep … more →

Equivalency Kit

educationemporium wrote 1 month ago: The equivalency kit Education Emporium stocks is an ideal visual reminder for children learning abou … more →

Tutor Tales — Algebra/Arithmetic Connections1 comment

joshturtle wrote 1 month ago: Here’s an idea I came up with today for helping students understand more deeply the mistakes t … more →

The Goal of Guided Math

drnickinewton wrote 1 month ago: The goal of Guided math is for students to become flexible, confident, proficient mathematicians who … more →

Eduguides: Math Grades K-9

educationemporium wrote 2 months ago: Education Emporium regularly stocks the Eduguide program of  math resources that have been developed … more →

Blogs about: Elementary Math

Posted by Abouz on March 06, 2010 with No comments
Featured Blog

Motivation for Math - Is it Possible?

goldstudentcom wrote 2 days ago: Motivation in math, or the concept of motivational math is a rare concept indeed! There are very few … more →

Helping Your Child to Concentrate on Math

goldstudentcom wrote 4 days ago: Children often seem to have trouble focusing on school work, and it is often difficult to get them t … more →

Multiplication Trick: x 25

joshturtle wrote 6 days ago: This is a simple trick that anyone can easily learn. It is just a trick for multiplying a number by … more →

10 Ways Incorporating Daily Activities Will Help Make Math Fun2 comments

goldstudentcom wrote 1 week ago: Making math easy for kids and making math fun for kids doesn’t have to be a challenge. There a … more →

10 Ways Math Can Help Your Child's Future1 comment

goldstudentcom wrote 1 week ago: As adults we use math every day.  But who would have thought that the math lesson plans we followed … more →

10 Ways to Tell Your Child Needs Help in Math1 comment

goldstudentcom wrote 1 week ago: Children can need help in math whether they are at grade level, working above their grade, or if the … more →

Place Value Rods

educationemporium wrote 1 week ago: The Place Value Rods Activity, made by Learning Resources,  is an ideal way to help children grasp t … more →

Pizza Fractions

educationemporium wrote 1 week ago: The current philosophy regarding teaching math encourages us to make math more “hands-on … more →

Sets on Sale: Multiplication, Division and Milk Cartons

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: What a great resource for parents and teachers!  This four-volume group includes books published by … more →

Sets on Sale: Early Skills Math

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: What a great resource for parents and teachers!  This three-volume group includes books published by … more →

Sets on Sale: Complete Books of Multiplication

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: I have a limited stock of books that I have combined as sets.  This set would be excellent for provi … more →

Sets on Sale: Grade 1 and 2 Math

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: I have a limited stock of books that I have combined as sets.  This set would be excellent for provi … more →

Sets on Sale: Grade 1 and 2 Math

educationemporium wrote 2 weeks ago: I have a limited stock of books that I have combined as sets.  This set would be excellent for provi … more →

daily #elementary #math activity for 2/2/2010

Mango Math wrote 1 month ago: Last night I made a 9 x 12 pan of chocolate chip cookies. I cut the cookies into 3″ squares. H … more →

Guided Math Lessons Using Tens Frames

drnickinewton wrote 1 month ago: Tens frames are a great tool for teaching guided math lessons.  The ten-frame provides a spatial rep … more →

Equivalency Kit

educationemporium wrote 1 month ago: The equivalency kit Education Emporium stocks is an ideal visual reminder for children learning abou … more →

Tutor Tales — Algebra/Arithmetic Connections1 comment

joshturtle wrote 1 month ago: Here’s an idea I came up with today for helping students understand more deeply the mistakes t … more →

The Goal of Guided Math

drnickinewton wrote 1 month ago: The goal of Guided math is for students to become flexible, confident, proficient mathematicians who … more →

Eduguides: Math Grades K-9

educationemporium wrote 2 months ago: Education Emporium regularly stocks the Eduguide program of  math resources that have been developed … more →