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Math and Logic
RECOMMENDED MATH MATERIALS / CURRICULUM
| You can find a collection of online math tasks, resources, and manipulatives HERE. |
Zaccaro’s Challenge Math
Mentoring Mathematical Minds (up to Grade 6)
Math Mind Benders – figuring out where to start is half the challenge!
The Ten Things All Future Mathematicians and Scientists Must Know (But Are Rarely Taught) – see also Ch. 8- Occam’s Razor / Ch. 7- Statistics Can Fool You
Math Pickle – Low-floor, high-ceiling original mathematical puzzles, games, and problems
Balance Math (Level 3) – three types of math puzzles
Get It Together: Math Problems for Groups Grades 4 – 12 (see blog post)
Math Perplexors – varying levels; if your budget allows, buy several and make a logic center
Open Middle ~ challenging math problems for all grades that have multiple solutions!
NRICH (Rich Mathematics) – interactive problems, games, and activities
NRICH Secondary Poster Problems (4th – 12th)
Mathigon (awesome FREE courses and activities inspired by the beauty of math!)
Math Craft (mathematically-inspired art projects)
Math Analogies (grades 6-8)
Which One Doesn’t Belong? – (math reasoning puzzles with many possible answers!)
Secondary Math Lessons, Games and Activities (NRICH)
Balance Benders – by The Critical Thinking Co. ~ sample page available
Math Puzzles and Brainteasers for Grades 6-8
Math in Art Projects – a collection of ideas rounded up by Jennifer Smith Jochen
United We Solve – math problems for cooperative groups
Slow-Reveal Graphs – making sense of data as information is revealed a bit at a time
The Stock Market Game (online simulation with teacher resources)
Muggins Math ~ (age 4 to nuclear physicist!) the Muggins game + resources (see blog post)
Genius Square (hands-on) ~ ~ STEM Puzzle Game of the Year
Rubik’s Cube Units and Lessons
RECOMMENDED LOGIC MATERIALS
Perplexors (Logic Levels C-E) (see blog post about creating a LOGIC CENTER)
Math and Logic Progressive Puzzle ~ Figuring with Fibonacci (TPT – $2.00)
The Set Game (daily online puzzle – here’s the card version)
Brain Teasers Volume 1 ~ (TPT product by Laura Randazzo- there are FIVE volumes)
Krazydad Puzzles – free online and printable versions of all kinds of math and logic puzzles!
LESSON and UNIT IDEAS
Kid-Created Logic Puzzles (blog post)
Team Logic: Cooperative Problem Solving (blog post)
Math and Logic Progressive Puzzle ~ Figuring with Fibonacci (TPT – $2.00)
Math and Logic Progressive Puzzle – Dabbling with Dice (TPT-$2.00)
Beyond Sudoku, Part 2: Hashi and Hitori Puzzles (blog post with teaching videos)
Triple-A Analogies – includes a video tutorial (blog post)
Learn a Calendar Trick ~ Explain the Math – includes video tutorials (blog post)
Open-Ended Triple-A Analogies ~ High Ceiling / Low Floor ~ includes ready-to-share slides
Extreme Numbers and Fermi Problems (blog post) – videos, lesson ideas, slide deck
What’s Your Angle, Pythagoras? A Lesson in Math Discovery (with student samples)
How to Think About a Number ~ Let Us Count the Ways! (blog post)
Power Struggle ~ math game (exponents) ~ see blog post
Celebrate Fibonacci Day! – choose another Fib date if Nov. 23rd has come and gone!
Get-to-Zero Math Game ~ reinforcing addition of positive and negative numbers ($2.00 -TPT)
Powers of Ten and Cosmic Eye: Mind-Expanding for Students~ blog post about how you can use this video
Literacy / Reading / Research
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS / CURRICULUM
Great Books for Middle Schoolers
Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension Program (Gr. 6-7) (free webinar)
Jacob’s Ladder Reading Comprehension Program (Gr. 7-8) (free webinar)
The Journey of a Question ~ independent research ~ great kickoff for Genius Hour / blog post)
The Icon Game: Responding to Literature With Depth & Complexity
A Deep and Complex Look at Biographies and Literary Characters
Deeper Reading: Comprehending Challenging Texts ~ see blog post
Teaching Advanced Analogies (blog post) ~ see also English for Everyone)
Science News for Students ~ nonfiction science articles to incorporate into thematic units
Quotation Quizzlers – famous quotations presented in puzzles
Word Winks – visual verbal puzzles
Daily Word Puzzles by Mensa for Kids ~ blog post
LESSON and UNIT IDEAS
Learning Logs and Writing to Learn: Kids’ Brains Benefit! ~ blog post / free resources
Research Project with Depth ~ Eminent People / “Guess Who” Class Presentations (blog post)
Novel Study One-Pager ~ A Culmination Project (links to many great ideas and templates)
Lofty Language – (vocabulary enrichment activity- ~ see blog post)
Constrained Writing – creative writing activities with a twist (blog post)
Writing a Screenplay (MENSA)
“O, Captain, My Captain” – (lesson to introduce metaphorical thinking ~ see blog post)
Diving into “The Skater at Ghost Lake”: A Rich Language Lesson
Lesson with a Twist (paradigm-shifting reading of a text ~ blog post)
Kid-Created Word Puzzles: FUNdamental Brainwork! -(blog post)
An Introduction to Greek Mythology (MENSA)
A Classic Read-Aloud ~ “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry / see also Holiday / Seasonal
Science / History / Thematic / Multidisciplinary
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS / CURRICULUM
Chesterfield Township Elementary School (NJ) GATE Curriculum Units for K – 6 – the district’s rationale, philosophy, and curriculum units are detailed in this PDF
The Texas Performance Standards Project (TPSP)– Tasks and assessments in unit form for G/T students, grades 6-8
PBL Works (Project-Based Learning)
Ed Zaccaro’s The Ten Things All Mathematicians and Scientists Must Know (But Are Rarely Taught) – see also Ch. 8- Occam’s Razor / Ch. 7- Statistics Can Fool You
Ed Zaccaro’s Now You Know
Biomimicry-Youth Design Challenge – hands-on PBL learning experience
Invention Impact / Unintended Consequences – (blog post) links to many resources and a lesson
Nanotechnology Resources for Middle and High School
Science News for Students ~ nonfiction science articles to incorporate into thematic units
The Story of Science (Teacher’s Guide) ~ see blog post
The Science and Engineering Behind Harry Potter (Teach Engineering)
Freebies for Science Teachers (National Science Teaching Association)
LESSON AND UNIT IDEAS
DNA Extraction Experiment (one class period)
The Spreading of a Virus (simulation – one class period)
Cryptology and Cybersecurity for Young Scholars ~ Part One: The History of Codes and Ciphers ~ Part Two: Crack the Code! ~ Part Three: Decipher This! ~ Virtual Learning Slide Show (entire mini-unit)
It’s in Your Genes ~ Inherited Traits and DNA Lessons ~ (blog post- free lesson, videos, links)
Occam’s Razor, Critical Thinking, Big Foot, and Aliens (4th – 8th) (blog post)
UAV (Drone) Technology ~ Learning Resources, Videos and Socratic Dialogue
Shark Tank Simulation! – (FREE) Lessons and resources shared that will help you recreate the Shark Tank in your classroom (guest blog post)
Nature’s Innovators: Animals as Engineers (6th-12th) – lesson with videos (Biomimicry Institute)
Skype a Scientist – find a scientist to chat with your class via Skype!
Kids with Class: Student-Created Videos for Extended Learning (blog post)
Research Project with Depth ~ Eminent People / “Guess Who” Class Presentations (blog post)
Digital Scavenger Hunts, Goose Chases, and Virtual Challenges (blog post)- Click here TO PREVIEW “Scavenger Hunt for Homebound Scholars,” and here TO MAKE A COPY. (When you get to the spreadsheet, click on FORM ~ Edit Form.)
Understanding Time: A Timeline Lesson (blog post)
Powers of Ten and Cosmic Eye: Mind-Expanding for Students~ blog post about how you can use this video
Metacognition / Thinking Skills
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS / CURRICULUM
Socratic Smackdown – a discussion game for Socratic Seminar (see video)
TED Connections (MENSA) for Socratic Dialogue
Philosophy for Kids (see blog post)
Design Thinking ~ What is It?
Thinker’s Toolbox (blog post)
LESSON AND UNIT IDEAS
Invention Impact (critical thinking strategy)
Unintended Consequences (30 min. lesson)
Lesson with a Twist (paradigm-shifting reading of a text ~ blog post)
Two Puzzles are Better Than One: Customize Puzzles for Learning ~ (blog post)
Think Law Sample Lesson: The Chair ~ TPT freebie / critical thinking ~ see blog post
Classroom Conversations: Video-Prompted Dialogue (blog post)
The Problem of the Two Doors ~ A Riddle (blog post / video)
The Fun Theory: A Lesson in Creative Thinking
STEM / Genius Hour / Project-Based
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS / CURRICULUM
Virtual Makerspace – read more about it here.
Design Thinking in the Classroom (David Lee)
EIE Curriculum Units (Engineering Curriculum for Kids)
Student-Created Virtual Museums Using Google Slides
3-D Printer Student Business – by Crystal Koenig
Micro:bit (circuitry and coding beginning at $25)
Genius Square ~ STEM Puzzle Game of the Year
Makey Makey (use coding and circuitry to make things!)
Scratch – students can code their own interactive stories, animations, and games
Code.Org (coding projects and activities)
James Webb Space Telescope STEM Toolkit – lessons and activities for K-12
Instant Challenges – practice exercises for Destination Imagination®
Ellen McHenry’s Basement Workshop– Science and Art- many free resources and lessons
Skype a Scientist – find a scientist to chat with your class via Skype!
Science News for Students ~ nonfiction science articles to incorporate into units
LESSON AND UNIT IDEAS
The Journey of a Question ~ independent research ~ great kickoff for Genius Hour / blog post)
Electric Quiz Board: Using Circuits to Create! (mini-unit)
Do You Speak Binary? Unplugged Computer Science Lessons ~ Binary Code
Student-Created Escape Chamber: A Unique Project and Learning Journey (blog post)
Kids Building Big: A Geodesic Dome in Less Than an Hour (3rd and up – can be integrated into a unit on architecture or structures)
Nature’s Innovators: Animals as Engineers (6th-12th) – lesson with videos (Biomimicry Institute)
Intel Teaching Idea Showcase – teaching ideas that showcase the integration of technology into classroom projects for all ages and most subjects.
Building Big – (includes Educators’ Guide; engineering behind large structures such as bridges and domes / intended for Grades 5 -8)
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