These links are from the March/April, 2006 issue of The Oregon Mathematics Teacher. For internet links from previous issues, see the Bookmark Archives.
You can contact Sonya at richarso@onid.orst.edu.
I am wondering how I managed to miss Jill Britton’s website for so many years. It is a wonderful site to explore. It is colorful and engaging while being instructive, and all at the same time. You must visit here, along with your students!
Jill Britton’s home page: Jill is currently a mathematics instructor at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She regards mathematics as the study of patterns. This is reflected in the many explorations and links on her homepage. I especially enjoyed the Just for Fun links. Here it is possible to “Warp Jill,” try out a Sliding Puzzle, a Jigsaw Puzzle, the Potato Head, etc. You will also enjoy the links to the Perpetual Calendar, Number Patterns, Curves and Topology, Pascal’s triangle, and many others.
http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/home.htm
Shodor: The Shodor Education Foundation’s website has been a favorite of mine for a long time. Its activities are easy for students to use and instructive in nature. This site lists all of the activities, arranged according to the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. The sections include: Number and Operation Concepts, Geometry and Measurement Concepts, Function and Algebra Concepts, and Probability and Data Analysis Concepts
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/
Legacy of Einstein: A very comprehensive discussion of the work of Albert Einstein. It includes an explanation of the equation E = mc2 as well as discussions of a variety of applications that are truly fascinating to read about.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/legacy.html
Create a crossword: Here is a free Instant Online Crossword Puzzle Maker. Enjoy!
http://www.variety-games.com/CW/
edHelper.com: A variety of puzzles can be created for you online, including word searches, crosswords, etc. At the bottom of the page is a free trial area that you will like.
http://www.edhelper.com/puzzles.htm
Discovery School: This site creates your criss-cross puzzles, words searches, math squares, number blocks, etc. It is the most comprehensive site I have seen that has free materials available.
http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/
Cynthia Lanius’ Fractals Unit: Sierpinski and Pascal: This site includes an explanation of why we study these kinds of patterns as well as a very colorful introduction to them. It’s a great place for students to investigate the concepts.
http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/fractals/pasc.html
Patterns in Pascal’s Triangle and Fractals: This lesson introduces students to the idea of finding patterns in the generation of several different types of fractals including The Hilbert Curve, another Hilbert Curve, Koch’s Snowflake, Sierpenski’s Triangle and Sierpenski’s Carpet. There is also a very nice interactive exploration of Pascal’s Triangle. These sites are a joint project of Addison-Wesley and The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.
Pascal’s Triangle: http://occawlonline.pearsoned.com/bookbind/pubbooks/billstein_awl/medialib/shodor_site/lessons/pattern3.html
Fractals: http://occawlonline.pearsoned.com/bookbind/pubbooks/billstein_awl/medialib/shodor_site/lessons/pattern2.html
Conversions: Convert fractions to decimals or decimals to fractions. Type in the fraction or decimal and press enter. A really quick and easy way to experiment with irrational numbers and repeating decimals!
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/conversions/index.html
Math Goodies: Many of the interactive materials at Math Goodies are free. Try out the Meaning of Percent, Writing Fractions as Percents, Challenge Exercises and Interactive Puzzles.
http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol4/fractions_to_percents.html
Here are the contents of the Puzzle Library. Those listed as online are free.
http://www.mathgoodies.com/puzzles2004/default.html
