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This chart will help identify which activities from Project
Interactivate can be used to explore the topics covered in elementary grades 3 - 5
mathematics. The lesson ideas are still a work in progress but all of the activities are aligned with suggested grade levels.
| Number and Operation Concepts |
| Activity: |
Appropriate
lesson ideas
for grades: |
Can be used to: |
|
Fraction Converter |
4 and 5 |
Help students to convert fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions. |
| Fraction Sorter |
4 and 5 |
Students represent fractions by coloring in the approptiate portions of
either a circle or a square, then order those fractions from least to
greatest.
|
|
Fraction Four |
4 and 5 |
Allow students to play a generalized version of connect four, in which each player
is allowed to place a piece on the board after correctly solving a problem. Students
must be able to multiply, divide, compare, and convert: fractions, decimals and
percents. |
|
Venn Diagrams |
3, 4, and 5 |
Help students learn about classifying numbers into various categories
through answering questions about Venn Diagrams. |
|
Venn Diagram Shape Sorter |
3, 4, and 5 |
Sort colored shapes into a Venn Diagram. |
|
Pattern Generator |
3,4 and 5 |
Determine and then continue the pattern generated. |
|
Sequencer |
3, 4, and 5 |
Help students learn about number patterns in sequences and recursions
by specifying a starting number, multiplier and add-on. |
|
Coloring Multiples in Pascal's Triangle |
3, 4, and 5 |
Practice student's multiplication skills while working on their pattern recognition skills. |
|
Coloring Remainders in Pascal's Triangle |
3, 4, and 5 |
Practice student's division skills while working with pattern recognition |
|
Clock Arithmetic |
5 |
Allow students to work with modular arithmetic and work with their ability to express time
on both a 12 and a 24 hour clock system. |
|
Caesar Cipher |
5 |
Help students develop their reasoning skills while using simple arithmetic skills to encode
and decode messages. |
|
Caesar Cipher II |
5 |
Have students use their reasoning skills combined with their arithmetic skills to encode
and decode messages. |
|
The Tortoise and Hare Race |
5 |
Work with student's prediction skills as well as work with the concept of infinity. |
|
Cantor's Comb |
5 |
Work with student's prediction skills as well as work with the concept of infinity. |
|
Estimator
|
3, 4 and 5 |
Practice estimation skills by determining the number of objects, length, or area.
Parameters: error tolerance. |
|
Comparison Estimator
|
3, 4 and 5 |
Similar to Estimator but compares two sets of objects. |
|
More or Less Estimator |
3, 4 and 5 |
Similar to Estimator activity but states a quantity and asks the user to estimate whether the set of
objects is more or less than the number given. |
|
Estimator Four |
3, 4 and 5 |
A game like Fraction Four but asks the players to estimate the answer within a given time span.
Parameters: time limit, error tolerance, difficulty level |
|
Fraction Pointer |
4 and 5 |
Graphically determine the value of 2 given fractions represented as points on a number line
then graphically find a fraction whose value is in between the value of the 2 given fractions
and determine its value.
|
|
Bounded Fraction Pointer |
4 and 5 |
Similar to "Fraction Pointer" but the user gives the values for the fractional points on the number line
rather than having the computer randomly generate them. |
|
Bounded Fraction Finder
|
4 and 5 |
The same as "Bounded Fraction Pointer" but there is no arrow to help
the user determine the value of a fraction between the two endpoints. |
|
Fraction Finder
|
3, 4, and 5 |
Similar to "Fraction Pointer" but there is no arrow to help the user determine the value of a fraction
between the two endpoints. |
|
Equivalent
Fractions Pointer
|
4, and 5 |
Visually represent equivalent fractions by dividing squares or circles and shading
portions
equivalent to a given fraction. Also shows the fractional value on a number line as you color in
the fraction.
|
|
Equivalent
Fractions Finder
|
4, and 5 |
Visually represent equivalent fractions by dividing squares or circles and shading
portions
equivalent to a given fraction. Also shows the fractional value on a number line after you check
to see if your
fraction is correct.
|
|
Factorize |
4 and 5 |
Learn about factoring numbers. |
|
Factorize 2 |
4 and 5 |
Learn about factoring numbers.
|
|
Arithmetic Four |
3, 4 and 5
|
A game like Fraction Four but instead of fraction questions the player
must answer arithmetic questions (addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division) to earn a piece to place on the board.
Parameters: time limit, difficulty level, types of questions |
| Geometry and Measurement Concepts |
| Activity: |
Appropriate
lesson ideas
for grades: |
Can be used to: |
|
Area Explorer |
3 and 4 |
Helps students learn to estimate and calculate the
areas of computer generated shapes using a grid. |
|
Perimeter Explorer |
3 and 4 |
Helps students learn to estimate and calculate the
perimeters of computer generated shapes using a grid. |
|
Shape Explorer |
3 and 4 |
Helps students learn to estimate and calculate both the
perimeters and areas of computer generated shapes using a grid. |
|
Angles |
3, 4, and 5 |
Give students practice using and solidifying their understanding of angle terminology |
|
Triangle Explorer |
4 |
Help students learn to use a grid to calculate the area of randomly
computer generated triangles. |
|
Floor Tiles |
3, 4, and 5 |
Students learn about tessellation on quadrilateral figures by
dynamically changing the shape of the quadrilateral through dragging
corners. |
|
Tessellate! |
3, 4, and 5 |
Students deform a triangle, rectangle or hexagon to form a polygon that tiles the plane. Corners of the polygons may be
dragged, and corresponding edges of the polygons may be dragged.
Parameters: Colors, starting polygon. |
|
Surface Area & Volume |
Upper level 5 |
Help students calculate the volume of differently shaped three dimensional
prisms using a grid |
|
Clock Wise |
K-3 |
Practice reading a clock |
|
Elapsed Time |
3-5 |
Practice finding elapsed time given a starting time and an ending time. |
| Function and Algebra Concepts |
| Most of the applets in this
section are geared toward fifth grade students and higher; however, some can
be modified and used as tools to check multiplication table drill work sheets. |
| Activity: |
Appropriate
lesson ideas
for grades: |
Can be used to: |
|
Simple Plot |
3 and 5 |
Introduce students to the Cartesian coordinate system by having
them plot ordered pairs of numbers, either as a scatter plot or
with the dots connected. This tool may also be used to allow students
to correct multiplication drill work sheets. |
|
Ordered Simple Plot
|
3 and 5
|
Another version of "Simple Plot" which allows the user to plot and connect ordered pairs in the
order that they are input. This enables pictures to be drawn by connecting the pairs rather than
having the computer connect them from left to right.
|
|
Graphit |
3 and 5 |
Introduce students to the Cartesian coordinate system by having
them plot ordered pairs of numbers and/or functions similarly to a
graphing calculator. This tool may also be used to allow students
to correct multiplication drill work sheets. |
|
Simple Coordinates Game |
5 |
Introduce students to the Cartesian coordinate system by having them
calculate and enter the coordinates of a randomly placed house. This
particular applet only deals with the first quadrant. |
|
General Coordinates Game |
5 |
Introduce students to the Cartesian coordinate system by having them
calculate and enter the coordinates of a randomly placed house. This
applet is a more complicated version of the Simple Coordinates Game
and uses all four quadrants. |
|
Simple Maze Game |
5 |
Allow students to have fun while mastering their understanding of how
the Cartesian coordinate system works by maneuvering a robot through a
mine field. This applet is only utilizes the first quadrant. |
|
Maze Game |
5 |
Allow students to have fun while mastering their understanding of how
the Cartesian coordinate system works by maneuvering a robot through a
mine field. This applet is only utilizes all four quadrants. |
|
Slope Slider |
Upper level 5 |
Help students manipulate the linear function F(x)=mx+b and explore the
relationship between slope and intercept in the Cartesian coordinate
system. |
|
Function Flyer |
Upper level 5 |
This version of Slope Slider allows the student to enter in the function
of his or her choice. This will encourage the user to explore the
effects on the graph of manipulating the constants and coefficients.
This applet can also be used as tool to correct graphing work sheets. |
|
Graph Sketcher |
Upper level 5 |
This applet allows the student to enter in the function of his or her
choice as well as modify the graph scale size. This will encourage
the user to explore the effects on the graph of manipulating the
constants and coefficients. This applet can also be used as tool to
correct graphing work sheets. |
|
Number Cruncher
|
4 and 5 |
Similar to the original "Function Machine" but lists input and output in a table and will not
let the user attempt to guess the rule on without at least having two data points. |
|
Whole Number Cruncher |
4 and 5 |
Similar to "Number Cruncher" but only generates multiplication and addition functions to
avoid outputting any negative numbers. |
| Statistics and Probability Concepts |
| Activity: |
Appropriate
lesson ideas
for grades: |
Can be used to: |
|
Histogram |
4 and 5 |
Have students view their own data, ranging from shoe sizes to
the cost of candy bars, using a histogram. A histogram is a bar
graph that looks at frequency. |
|
Pie chart |
3, 4 and 5 |
Have students manipulate a pie chart to represent their data. Also
can be used to familiarize students with percents and their relationship
to a whole, while practicing their graph reading ability. |
|
Stem and Leaf Plotter |
3, 4, and 5 |
Help students organize and graph data they have collected into
Stem and leaf plots. This applet can also be used help students
practice calculating mean median and mode. |
|
Boxplot 1 |
3, 4, and 5 |
Represent and organize data students have collected using a box plot.
This tool allows students to view their data in individual sets as well
as compiling all their data in to one large set. This applet can also be
used to introduce students to the terminology used with box plots. This
box plot applet does use the median to calculate the interquartile
range |
|
Boxplot 2 |
3, 4, and 5 |
Represent and organize data students have collected using a box plot.
This tool allows students to view their data in individual sets as well
as compiling all their data in to one large set. This applet can also be
used to introduce students to the terminology used with box plots. This
box plot applet does not use the median to calculate the interquartile
range |
|
Bar Graph |
3
4 and 5 |
Enter data to create a bar graph, then manipulate the graph's maximum and minimum values.
|
|
Bar Graph Sorter |
1, 2, and 3 |
Sort colored shapes into a bar graph. Appropriate for elementary grades.
|
|
Circle Graph |
4 and 5 |
Enter data categories and the value of each category to create a circle graph. Similar
to "Pie Chart" but the user can define the data set. |
|
Understanding Experimental Probability |
3, 4, and 5 |
Experiment with experimental probability using a fixed size section spinner,
a variable section spinner, 2 regular 6-sided number cubes or design your
own number cubes.
|
|
Racing Game with One Die |
3, 4, and 5
4 and 5 |
Introduce students to probability by having them work in pairs and
experiment with the applets parameters allowing them to "see" the
effects of each variable on race results. |
|
Racing Game with Two Dice |
3, 4, and 5
4 and 5 |
Further students concept of probability and the effects different variables
have on the out come of race results. This applet allows the students to be
challenged with more complex math concepts than the Racing Game with One Die
applet because it adds another die into the game and allows the race to have
multiple contestants. |
|
Monty Hall Game |
4 and 5 |
Students choose one of three doors to experimentally
determine the odds of winning the grand prize behind one of the
doors, as in
the TV program "Let's Make a Deal." Parameters: Staying or
switching between the two remaining doors. |
|
Crazy Choices Game |
4 and 5 |
Allow students to explore theoretical and experimental probability in groups
of three playing games of chance using dice, cards, spinners or coin tosses. |
|
Spinner |
3, 4, and 5 |
Allow students to explore theoretical and experimental probability.
Parameters: Number of sectors, number of trials. |
|
Adjustable Spinner |
3, 4, and 5 |
Allow students to explore theoretical and experimental probability.
Parameters: Sizes of sectors, number of sectors, number of trials. |
|
Marbles |
4 and 5 |
Allow students to explore theoretical, experimental, and learn about sampling
with and without replacement by modeling drawing marbles from a bag.
Parameters: Number and color of marbles in the bag, replacement rule. |
|
Dice Table |
4 and 5 |
Allow students to practice their fraction to decimal and decimal to
percent conversion skills while experimenting with the outcome distribution
for a roll of two dice by playing a dice throwing game. Parameters:
Which player wins on which rolls. |
|
Plop It! |
4 and 5 |
Allow students to graph their information using a simple bar graph and
investigate mean, median, and mode. Parameters: Range for observations |
|
Measures |
3, 4, and 5 |
Have students enter data and view the mean, median, variance and standard
deviation of the data set. Parameters: Number of observations,
range for observations, which statistics to view, identifiers for the
data. |
|
Fire!! |
5 |
Allow students to experiment with theoretical and experimental
probability. Fire can also be used to develope students awareness
of different possible outcomes for multiple step problems as students
run a simulation of how a fire will spread through a stand of trees.
Parameters: Probability that a tree will set fire to each of its four
neighbors. |
|
Directable Fire!! |
5 |
Allow students to experiment with theoretical and experimental
probability. Fire can also be used to develope students awareness
of different possible outcomes for multiple step problems as students
run a simulation of how a fire will spread through a stand of trees.
Parameters: Probability that a tree will set fire to each of its eight
neighbors. |
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