Interactive Math & Personal Finance

Interactive Math & Personal Finance
An Internet Hotlist on Interactive Math & Personal Finance

created by Mrs. G. Darmody
Portsmouth Rhode Island School District

Introduction | Variety of Math Topics | Personal Finance | Spreadsheets & Math | Interactive Applets Supporting Math Stds.

Introduction
In addition to using books and magazines to find out about Math and Personal Finance, why not also use the power of the Internet? The links below have been generously shared with me by Math & Business Educators over the years. See what you think!

The Internet Resources

Manipula Math with Java - This site has a collection of 279 different Math Applets that can help students understand simple to complex Math concepts; such as various Middle School Mathematical concepts, Trigonometry, Calculus, Vector, Complex Number, Conics and more!

Variety of Math Topics

AAA Math - This site is a wealth of resources, with 'hundreds of pages of Basic Math Skills. Interactive Practice on every page. An Explanation of the math topic on each page. Several Challenge Games on every page. Math Problems are randomly created.' This site has wonderful resources for students K-12 and beyond!
Adding It Up - This is a site which promotes 'money skills for people who are going places'. There are 3 versions: Middle School, High School and Adult.
Ask Dr. Math - Ask Dr. Math is a question and answer service for math students and their teachers. A searchable archive is available by level and topic, as well as summaries of Frequently Asked Questions (the Dr. Math FAQ).
Biographies of Women Mathematicians - 'These pages are part of an on-going project by students in mathematics classes at Agnes Scott College, in Atlanta, Georgia, to illustrate the numerous achievements of women in the field of mathematics.'
Connected Geometry - Connected Geometry is a curriculum development project, funded by the National Science Foundation, designed to help teachers and students engage in meaningful mathematical activity by offering students a chance to understand and appreciate the connections and unifying themes within mathematics, and to build on the connections between students' backgrounds and mathematics.
Cool Math 4 Kids - Lemonade Stand Math Game - This on-line game allows student to learn how to run their own business, from top to bottom. There are also many other links to Math games for children ages 3 and up!
DASL Datastore and Library - DASL (pronounced 'dazzle') is an online library of datafiles and stories that illustrate the use of basic statistics methods. The goal of the site is to provide data from a wide variety of topics so that statistics teachers can find real-world examples that will be interesting to their students. Use DASL's powerful search engine to locate the story or datafile of interest.
Dummies.com - Sizing Up the Area of a Polygon - This article is adapted from 'Geography for Dummies'. It summarizes and explains many of the important rules and theories in Geometry in very clear language.
E-Bookshelf for Interdisciplinary Math Topics - This website has been created by Dartmouth College to provide lesson plans and ideas in support of math skills across the curriculum.
Fractals - This site was developed by Cynthia Lanius. It has 'a Fractals Unit for Elementary and Middle School Students that Adults are Free to Enjoy!'
Gamequarium.com Math Game Site - This site has many, many different Math games in categories by age group or Math subject. There are games designed for all ages; from Pre-K through Pre-Algebra!!
It All Adds Up - Five modules for teenagers: 1) Getting and Using a Credit Card, 2) Buying a Car, 3) Budget Odyssey, 4) Saving and Investing Blitz and 5) You're Going to College. An online teacher guide provides a summary of concepts and objectives.
Massachusetts Department of Education Math Curriculum Frameworks - This is the webpage for the most current Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks for the state of Massachusetts.
Math Hunt from Scholastic - This site has 18 different Internet Treasure Hunts for grades 5-8. Each treasure hunt addresses Social Studies or Science topics that require Math skills as well. There is a link to a Math Skills Chart that lists the specific Math Skills need to complete each 40 minute hunt.
Math Tools from Math Forum - MathTools is a Digital Library of math resources to help teachers teach and students learn in K-12 mathematics. The MathTools site has two major features: a catalog and a discussion forum. Above all else, MathTools is a community of users that includes students, teachers, mathematicians, researchers, and software developers. Users are encouraged to register in order to take advantage of the special features only available to registered users. Registration is free. Here you'll find a wealth of resources designed to help you use the power of interactive software to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics.
MathMagic on the Web - MathMagic is a K-12 telecommunications project that was developed in El Paso, Texas by Alan A. Hodson. The intent of the project was to provide motivation for students to use computer technology while increasing problem-solving strategies and communications skills. MathMagic posted challenges in each of four categories (k-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12) which are now archived and available to download in MS Word file format.
Modeling And Simulation Tools for Education Reform - MASTER Tools, developed by The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc. are the result of on-going collaborations with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), George Mason University, and other education organizations. They are designed to be interactive tools and simulation environments that enable and encourage exploration and discovery through observation, conjecture, and modeling activities.
Money Math - Lessons for Life - This site was developed by twenty partners, including the U.S. Treasury and the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. Money Math is a four-lesson curriculum supplement for middle school math classes, teaching grade 7-9 math concepts using real-life examples from personal finance. The 86-page book is a teacher's guide with lesson plans, reproducible activity pages, and teaching tips.
Mrs. DiTrolio's Teacher Web Home Page - Mrs. DiTrolio has a wealth of Internet links, exploration activities and more to support the middle school math curriculum.
NCTM Illuminations - This website is partnership site between the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and The Marco Polo Education Foundation. It has a wealth of lesson plans, on-line tools and Math resources for grades Pre-K through 12.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Standards - This webpage from the NCTM has links to the council's Math principles and standards for elementary school through higher education.
The Math Forum Internet Mathematics Library - The Math Forum's Internet Mathematics Library is an annotated catalog of mathematics and mathematics educational web sites.
The Math Forum Student Center - This site is specially designed for students. It has many different sections for asking Math questions, MathMagic, Internet Math Hunts, and weekly/monthly Math challenges in several different Math areas (Math fundamentals, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry). There are Internet Math Hunts as well. There are special sections for different age groups, ranging from elementary school through graduate school.
The Maths File Game Show - This website has interactive games and handout to print out for Math concepts ranging from basic number concepts, shape, space and measurement, data handling and Algebra.

Personal Finance

12 Personal Finance Principles - 2003 Calendar - These 12 personal financial principles have been compiled by the Jump$tart Coalition. 'The coalition believes these principles are practical ones, that if comprehended and heeded by young people, will make a real, positive difference in their financial outlook'.
2007 Color or Money Challenge - Budget Worksheet (pdf file link) - This is a wonderful resource, from Washington Post columnist, Michelle Singletary, to help users learn how to create a budget using this budget worksheet.
Consumer Jungle: Surviving Solo - Computer activities give students a cost-of-living reality check and information on budgeting, apartment rental agreements, landlord-tenant rights, and utilities. Parent and teacher versions of this site are available with tips and a unit plan.
Determining the Cost of Buying a Car: A WebQuest - In this webquest, students assume roles: a doctor, a mother/father of three, a single gainfully employed person, or just a high school student. After assuming these roles, the students enter into the world of car shopping.
Economic Connections - This site offers educational services promoting economic and personal financial literacy. You will find dozens of additional personal finance links on this website designed for K-12 economics and life management teachers.
Financial Champions Game - This game allows you to begin your most exciting adventure: a full school year at the Financial Champions Academy. During this school year, your teachers and classmates will help you get to the top of your class. They'll give you important information that you can use throughout the year to do many things, such as opening your own bank account and much more!
High School Financial Planning Program - Choose the 'Educational Programs' link to access information regarding how to order a free print teacher guide and student workbooks offering six units on goal setting, budgeting, careers, credit, saving and investing. Sponsored by the National Endowment for Financial Education, the kit offers simulations, case studies, and interactive exercises and assessment materials.
I Can Spend My Money Any Way I Want - This is a wonderful webquest for helping H.S. students learn what it takes to manage their own budget, as well as choosing a career that will allow them to live life the way they want to.
Integrating Financial Education into School Curricula - A document that 'Gives America's Youth the educational foundation for making effective financial decisions throughout their lives by teaching financial concepts, as part of Math and Reading Curricula in Elementary, Middle and High Schools.
Investing for Your Future - a free course from Rutgers University - This is a Cooperative Extension System Basic Investing Home Study Course that is sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Jump$tart Reality Check - Students respond to a set of questions concerning their anticipated lifestyle (housing, transportation, food, insurance, entertainment, etc.). Based on their choices that are given, an estimate of how much they will need to earn and examples of jobs that would do so are listed.
KidsBank - This site is a fun place for children to learn about money and banking, sponsored by Sovereign Bank.
MassBalance - Interactive Budget Simulation - This site was developed by Worchester Polytechnic Institute's Game Development Club, MA State Senator Richard T. Moore and the Massachusetts State Senate. This site is designed for older students, probably about high school age and older. This simulation will give students a very realistic idea of the many challenges involved in balancing the state budget.
Money Math: Lessons for Life - Four math lessons for the middle school grades. Topics include saving and the value of compounding; occupations; salaries and taxes; and budgeting.
Moneyopolis - As a new resident in the town of MoneyopolisTM, you have $600 to use while visiting seven town centers: Personal Planning, Shopping, Banking, City Hall, Community, and Education. Your goal is to save at least $1,000 and to earn at least 3 Community Service Medallions by the end of your visit. Lesson ideas are offered for teachers that will help teach grade 6-8 math, goal setting and money management skills.
NEFE High School Financial Planning Program - NEFE High School Financial Planning Program (the sequel to Money Math). You can scroll to the bottom of the page to order FREE materials for all of your students.
NICE lessons integrating personal finance and ELA - A series of lessons that integrate personal finance with math and language arts are posted at this link from the National Institute for Consumer Education (NICE).
National Institute for Consumer Education (NICE). - This site has personal finance education resource lists and lesson plans for a variety of ages.
Reality Check - The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy sponsors this interesting personal finance site.
Road Trip Webquest - In this webquest designed for 7th and 8th grade students. Students are asked to develop a budget for a summer vacation 'road trip'. They are given the following scenario...'You and your friends have saved up some money and decided to take a road trip before the year is over. After combining your money you realize that you have $1000 to spend. After doing some thinking, your group decides on 4 possible destinations...'
Schwab MoneyWise Home Page - This is a wonderful website from the Charles Schwab organization to help young people learn the fundamentals of finance and money management. There are links to 'Financial Basics', 'Activities and Tools', 'Financial Milestones', and a 'Let's Talk' section for sharing of ideas.
TAXi Interactive - This is a wonderful resource from the IRS!
The National Council on Economic Education - The National Council on Economic Education has a great curriculum Series called Financial Fitness For Life. You can locate data, lesson plans and interactive student activities at this EconEDLink web site link.
The Next Step - This site for the Next STEP program has a wealth of curriculum materials and suggestions for teaching personal finance and career planning at the secondary school level.

Spreadsheets & Math

Education World Technology Center - This site links you to a great article called, 'EXCEL-lent Middle School Math Lessons'. These are some wonderful ideas for incorporating spreadsheets within the Math curriculum, particularly in Algebra and Geometry.
Information Represented Graphically - This webpage from Marco Polo's Illuminations has some wonderful activities using graphs. Students are challenged to think critically and analyze the information represented in graphs.

Interactive Applets Supporting Math Stds.

Activities from the Shodor Education Foundation - This site has a wealth of interactive Math activities that support important Math concepts and standards. Included in in resource are lesson plans to use with the interactive applets and full explanations and directions as to how to use the applet and which standards each applet addresses.
Arcytech - This Web site contains Java� applets whose purpose is to be used as tools to help and enhance the education of children.
CLIME Microworlds - These programs were developed by members of the Council for Technology in Mathematics Education (CLIME).
Count On - This is a British Website containing many different kinds of applications for exploring Mathematics. In addition to the activities on the home page, be sure to click on the Links button at the left.
Dynamic Mathematics Visualization for Young Learners: - The downloadable Sketchpad documents for grades 3-8 are contributions from conference participants. Unless otherwise noted, these sketches require Sketchpad 4.0 or later. Many of these documents contain multiple pages, in which case the previews show only a few of the pages. These files remain the property of their respective authors. While you may download and use them for evaluation purposes, please contact their authors directly for permission to duplicate or disseminate. (Authors e-mail addresses are included in the sketch documents.)
Educational Software Components of Tomorrow - Educational Software Components of Tomorrow (ESCOT) is a National Science Foundation research project (REC-9804930) at SRI International's Center for Technology in Learning. They are investigating how software innovations can accumulate, integrate, and scale up to meet the needs of systemic reform of K-12 mathematics and science education.
Explore the Pythagorean Theorem - Ms. Hefner created this wonderfully creative exploration activity, which I assisted in putting onto the Internet. Completing all parts of this activity will help ALL students understand the proof of the Pythagorean Theorem!
Geometry Gallery - Saltire's Geometry Gallery is a collection of Java applets showing interesting geometry configurations. All applets are dynamic in that user input can cause the configuration to change. In some cases, points can be dragged. In other cases dimensions can be changed via edit controls. Some of the applets feature animation.
Harcourt School Publishers � e-lab - This site contains a series of 25+ multimedia learning activities per grade that enables students to explore and extend key skills and concepts in Harcourt Math.
Interactive Geometry - The activities in this section will help users gain a 'hands-on' feel for some of the fundamental principles of geometry. Try them all to help understand theorems and proofs.
Java Applets for the Math Classroom - This site contains a number of geometry applets, including information about triangles on similarity and perpendicular bisectors. With similar triangles, the user can slide parallel lines given as the bases of two triangles and watch the ratio of the small triangle to the large triangle change. In the perpendicular bisector applet, the user can observe that in a fixed right triangle, the perpendicular bisectors of the legs will meet on the hypotenuse.
Manipula Math Applet Collections - This site has animations designed to help students grasp Mathematical Ideas. All of the applets are visual and animation-oriented. Moving figures on the screen help students to grasp the meaning of mathematical ideas intuitively.
Math Cats - Join the Math Cats in a land of creative, open-ended math explorations! Math Cats games, crafts, art, projects, story problems, and much more!
Mathemagica - This library of interactive math tools being developed by the Mathemagica Project, funded by the United States Department of Education, covers core concepts in number sense, operations, measurement, geometry, algebra, and probability. The tools and accompanying Explore activities allow teachers to deepen mathematical knowledge and offer students interactive models for learning.
NCTM Illuminations: Tools - The page from the NCTM Illuminations site, has a large variety of interactive virtual manipulatives that are listed in alphabetical order by the name of the tool. Included in the list are the grade levels that the tool is designed for and a description of what the tools is and what it is designed for.
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Mathematics - This is a library of web-based virtual manipulatives, These interactive Math tools help students visualize relationships and applications, with an emphasis on K-8 classroom instruction.
Project Poison Applet - This site has been designed for students of higher level math. It has been created by first year computer science students at Trinity College as a java programming project.
Search by Grade (for Interactive Math activities) from the Shoder Foundation - The Shodor Foundation is a non-profit research and education organization dedicated to the advancement of science and math education, specifically through the use of modeling and simulation technologies. On this page of the Shoder Foundation website, users can search for interactive math activities by grade level. From the menu, users can also search for interactive activities by subject matter, such as math or science.
Selected Online Tools Organized By Algebra Readiness Indicators - This webpage is sponsored by NEIR TEC - Northeast and the Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium. On-line tools and interactive applets are divided into the categories such as: fractions decimals & percent, prime factor, ratios & proportions, geometric figures & properties, perimeter area & volume, Pythagorean Theorem, data, probability, algebraic equations, patterns, functions and more!
Teacher Leaders Using the Web to Implement Principles and Standards for School Mathematics - The Technology Principle in PSSM states that 'Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics: It influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances student learning.' We will investigate Web sites that support the Technology Principle. We will make connections between these Web sites and professional development that can be conducted on the local level in a school or district.
Visual Fractions - This library of applets cover fraction topics including: identification, comparing, renaming, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

Content by Mrs. G. Darmody, darmodyg@portsmouthschoolsri.org
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listmathpermr1.html
Last revised Sun Feb 22 15:15:06 US/Pacific 2009