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Elementary Mathematics & Technology Resources

Page  overview

The list of resources below was created for educator professional learning focused on the effective integration of technology in learning enduring mathematical practices and numeracy in elementary grades.

More background

The resources below focus on number and operations content in the Maine Learning Results and three specific Standards for Mathematical Practice: communication and critique, problem-solving, and strategic use of tools.

Resources are drawn from research, workshops, and blended professional development that integrated the work of Grades K-5 elementary teachers, special educators, university faculty, administrators, researchers, and instructional designers. Partners included Auburn School Department (ASD), faculty at the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) and the University of Southern Maine (USM), and Educational Development Center (EDC).

Outcomes for educators participating in the workshops and programs included increasing knowledge and skills in three primary areas: designing data-driven instructional strategies, purposeful technology integration in Grades K-5 classroom contexts to improve mathematics learning and teaching, and/or differentiation strategies to help meet the needs of students who are English learners and learners with special needs. In addition to working with classroom educators, university faculty brought project knowledge and resources into experiences for pre-service teachers at UMF and USM.

Many of the resources were developed during the following projects:

  1. Research + Practice Collaboratory work investigating interactive technologies in elementary mathematics in Auburn, Maine (2012-2017)
  2. Maine Early Mathematics & Technology Math Science Partnership project, a sustained, hybrid professional learning experience (2017-2018).
  3. Workshop series contracted by the Maine Department of Education (fall 2017 and fall 2018)

Before using an app or other technology product in your classroom, make sure the app or technology product and your intended use meets the requirements and parameters of your school and district, including guidelines for student privacy. This page may be updated without notification. Some information may be based on older versions of applications.

Section overview

Reports & Research

  1. The Interactive STEM Briefs list has multiple evidence-based Research + Practice Briefs related to early math learning, including Supporting Mathematical Discourse in the Early Grades, Mathematics in the Early Grades: Counting & Cardinality, and Productive Struggle in Mathematics
  2. IES Practice Guides
    1. All practice guides
    2. Teaching Math to Young Children
    3. Developing Effective Fractions Instruction for Kindergarten Through 8th Grade
    4. Improving Mathematical Problem Solving in Grades 4 Through 8
  3. Mathematics Learning Trajectories
    1. Mathematics in the Early Grades: Counting & Cardinality  
      related
      1. These Counting and Cardinality Learning Trajectory Cards (.docx; based on Clements & Sarama) are for an educator activity related to the brief named above.
    2. Mathematics in the Early Grades: Operations and Algebraic Thinking
    3. Learning Trajectories for the K-8 Common Core Math Standards (TurnOnCCMath.net; Jere Confrey)
    4. Number Worlds Learning Trajectories (Doug Clements)
  4. NCTM's Position Statement on the Strategic Use of Technology in Teaching and Learning Mathematics
  5. NCSM and COSN Joint Position Paper on Mathematics Education in the Digital Age

Section overview

Communication & Critique

  1. The Interactive STEM Communication & Critique in Early Mathematics Classrooms collection has a set of related resources (some are listed here also)
  2. Supporting Mathematical Discourse in the Early Grades Research + Practice Brief
  3. Supporting Mathematics Discourse with Sentence Starters & Sentence Frames
  4. Supporting Number Talks blog post
  5. Teacher Moves that Foster Classroom Discourse blog post
  6. Student & Classroom Videos
    1. Interactive STEM YouTube Channel (multiple videos, including the ones linked below)
    2. RPC Auburn Introduction
    3. Making 8 Screencast (grade 1 student)
    4. Making 100 Screencast
    5. Making Teen Numbers (movie file)

Section overview

Creating and Managing Digital Artifacts

  1. Documenting and Sharing Student Work blog post
  2. Interactive Technology Screen Recording Checklists for Students
  3. Seesaw
            create and manage screen recordings, images & more (Web and mobile devices)

    Please note that some resources were made in an older version of Seesaw, but many of the features function similarly in the current version.

    1. Seesaw Web site
    2. Seesaw Help Center
      related
      1. How do I send an assignment to my students?
      2. How do I invite families?
      3. Who can view student journals?
      4. How to use Seesaw Blogs
      5. How much does Seesaw cost? (differences between paid and free accounts)
      6. What happens to my account when Seesaw Plus expires? (if you choose to try the Seesaw Plus trial period, this may be helpful information)

    Document and videos below are based on a prior version.

    1. Seesaw Basic Features (prior version; .docx)
    2. Video tutorial: Seesaw Sign-in and Basic Navigation
    3. Video tutorial: Seesaw Folders
    4. Video tutorial: Add Drawing Items (including with audio) to Seesaw on a mobile device
    5. Video tutorial: Add Drawing Items (including with audio) to Seesaw on a computer
    6. Video tutorial: Add Photo, Video, and Image Items to Seesaw on a computer
    7. Video tutorial: Share/copy items between classes
  4. Showbie
            create and manage recordings (Web and iPad devices)
    1. Showbie Web site
    2. Showbie version comparison (free vs. paid)
    3. What is Showbie Pro? (TeacherTec)
    4. Showbie: Create and Collect Assignments on the iPad! (TeachThruTech.com)
  5. Explain EverythingTM
            screen recording and collaboration app (mobile devices, Chromebooks, Windows 8.1 & 10 computers)
    1. Explain Everything Web site (paid app; the free "Interactive Whiteboard" app creates recordings for a trial period then becomes a viewer; the "Classic" version for iPad has an initial cost and you can continue to create recordings)
    2. Explain Everything Help Center
    3. Explain EverythingTM Simple Interface Introduction (prior version)
    4. Video tutorial: Explain EverythingTM Simple Interface Introduction (prior version)
    5. Move Explain EverythingTM Projects to an Apple Computer

Section overview

Open Tasks

  1. The Interactive STEM Open Tasks collection has a set of related resources (some are listed here)
    related
    1. What are Open Tasks?
    2. Example Open Tasks (.docx; adapted from Marion Small)
  2. Choosing and Creating Rich Open Tasks blog post
  3. What is an empty number line? (K-5 Math Teaching Resources; this site also has example activities if you click on the topics near the top)
  4. Selected tasks for Grades PreK to 2
    1. Make 8 (grade K; .docx; related video by a grade 1 student)
    2. Bunk Bed (grade K; .docx; related app: Number Rack)
    3. Double-Decker Bus (grade 1; .docx; related video story by Fosnot)
    4. Three Numbers Add to 100 (grade 2; .docx; related video)
    5. Making Change (grade 2; .docx; related app: Money Pieces; related video attempt 1 and video attempt 2)
    6. Exploring Addition and Subtraction Relationships
  5. Selected tasks for Grades 3 to 6
    1. Apple Boxes (grade 3 multiplication.docx; related apps: Number Frames, Money Pieces, Number Pieces)
    2. Modeling Multiplication (Samantha's Savings) (grade 3; .docx; related apps: Number Frames, Number Pieces, Fractions, Money Pieces
    3. Brownie Sale (grade 5 fractions multiplication; .docx; related apps: Multiplying Fractions - Area Model, Multiplying Unit Fractions - Area Model, Field of Fractions)
    4. The Product of Two Fractions (grade 5 fractions multiplication; .docx; related apps: Number Frames app, Multiplying Fractions - Area Model)
    5. Multiplying Fractions String (grade 5 fractions multiplication; .docx; related app: Multiplying Fractions - Area Model)
    6. Factors and Multiples (grade 6; .docx; related apps: Number Line)
    7. Common Factors and Multiples (grade 6; .docx; related apps: Number Line, Splat Square)
  6. Web sites with tasks for multiple grades
            (some are not open tasks)
    1. Illustrative Mathematics
    2. Inside Mathematics Problems of the Month
    3. youcubed Tasks
    4. NRICH - rich mathematics (part of the Millennium Mathematics Project at the University of Cambridge)

Section overview

Math Apps

  1. The PreK-6 Math Apps list was developed for previous professional development; it has descriptive information for many of the apps linked below. See also a related notes sheet (.docx).
  2. Early Math with Gracie and Friends (grades preK-2, iPad only; scroll down the page to "Early Math"; a piece of paper with Earth in the lower leftrelated research brief; note also early science apps)
  3. The Math Learning Center - Free Math Apps (open apps for problem solving; Web, Chromebook, & mobile versions)
    related
    1. Exploring the Number Line App (Number Line app)
  4. Classroom Focused Software - All Apps (do not work with iOS 11+ as of 10/2/18; grades K-6; includes apps for individual practice; some are paid apps; iPad only)
  5. EDC in Maine GeoGebra Apps (grades K-12; use in a browser on all devices)
    related sets of apps
    1. Visualizing Fractions Tools (grades K-6; related formative assessment, .docx)
    2. Visual Access to Mathematics Tools (visual tools and problems for rational number & ratio; grades 3+)
  6. NCTM Interactives (grades preK-5 shown; some will not work on mobile devices or load in some browsers without a security override [require Java])
  7. Math Playground Thinking Blocks Interactive Tutorials

    (browser versions work on iPads with iOS 11+, but iPad apps from the App Store do not work with iOS 11+ as of 10/2/18)

    1. Thinking Blocks Modeling Tools (all current themed, game-like versions; see below for legacy versions)
    2. Math Playground iPad apps list (includes Thinking Blocks)

    Links a-e below are the old/legacy version, which may work on a computer browser (they will not work on mobile devices since they require Flash Player)

    1. Thinking Blocks Jr.
    2. Thinking Blocks Addition
    3. Thinking Blocks Multiplication
    4. Thinking Blocks Fractions
    5. Thinking Blocks Ratios
    6. Thinking Blocks Modeling Tool (open tool)
  8. Splat Square (a 100 chart app that can be used for many activities; will not work on mobile devices [requires Flash Player])
  9. Sieve of Eratosthenes

Lesson Planning

  1. Activity Planning Form (.docx, .pages) is a general template for planning activities that may include digital tools
  2. Strategy Planning Form (.docx, .pages) can be used for lessons that include student recordings & digital tools
  3. Purposeful Integration of Technology in Mathematics Strategic Planning Form (.docx, .pages) is a template for multi-year school or district initiatives focused on high quality mathematics instruction that includes the purposeful integration of technology
  4. Developing Efficient Computation with Mini Lessons: Addition & Subtraction
    related
    1. Open Number Line Addition & Subtraction Examples (.docx)
  5. Developing Efficient Computation with Mini Lessons: Multiplication
    related
    1. Apple Boxes task (.docx; related apps: Number Frames app, Money Pieces, Number Pieces)
  6. 3 Reads Strategy Organizer (.docx) outlines a structured process that students can use to help them understand and start work on a math word problem
    related
    1. The 3 Reads Strategy Overview has information about why and how to use the strategy
    2. Pedro's String task with 3 Reads Strategy (.docx; related apps: Pedro's String (1) with Writing Tools, Pedro's String (2) with Writing Tools; app instructions
  7. Curriculum Mapping
            includes templates with example lesson connections from teachers for 5 curriculums
    1. Curriculum Mapping template (.docx, Google doc)
    2. Crosswalk for CCSS and Contexts for Learning Mathematics curriculum
    3. Bridges in Mathematics
      1. Bridges Grade K(example entries for routines)
      2. Bridges Grade 1(blank template)
      3. Bridges Grade 2(example entry for unit 1)
      4. Bridges Grade 3(example entries for unit 1)
    4. Eureka Math
      1. Eureka Grade K(blank template)
      2. Eureka Grade 1(example entries for routines and unit 1)
      3. Eureka Grade 2(blank template)
      4. Eureka Grade 3(blank template)
    5. Everyday Math
      1. EDM Grade K(example entries for routines and units 1 & 3)
      2. EDM Grade 1(example entries for unit 1)
      3. EDM Grade 2(example entries for units 1, 2, & 3)
      4. EDM Grade 3(example entries for units 1 & 2)
    6. Investigations in Number, Data, and Space
      1. Investigations Grade K(blank template)
      2. Investigations Grade 1(blank template)
      3. Investigations Grade 2(blank template)
      4. Investigations Grade 3(blank template)
    7. Origo Math
      1. Origo Grade K(blank template)
      2. Origo Grade 1(blank template)
      3. Origo Grade 2(blank template)
      4. Origo Grade 3(example entries for unit 1)

Additional Resources

  1. The Video/Artifact Reflection template (.docx) can structure analysis of student work
  2. The Reading Reflection template (.docx) can organize your thinking while reading an article or report
  3. The Supporting Equity Through Co-Investigation article described the rationale, process, and tips for using student videos during educator meetings
  4. The Sharing Protocol with Notes Template (.docx) can help formalize the process of sharing and discussing student artifacts
  5. Standards for Mathematical Practice: Commentary and Elaborations for K–5 (Illustrative Mathematics)
  6. Young Mathematicians at Work books
    by Fosnot and Dolk have information related to the strategies and tasks included on this page; they were read by teachers as part of professional development that included many of these resources.
    1. Young Mathematicians at Work: Constructing Number Sense, Addition, and Subtraction
    2. Young Mathematicians at Work: Constructing Multiplication and Division
  7. Presentation slides from workshops in September, 2017 (also used in the overview videos on this page)
  8. Presentation slides from PreK-2 workshops in October, 2018
  9. Presentation slides from 3-5 workshops in October, 2018
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