More than 30 Federal agencies formed a working group in 1997 to make hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources easier to find. The result of that work is the FREE web site. FREE stands for Federal Resources for Educational Excellence. The web sites listed below are excerpted with permission from the FREE web site. This month, we highlight 10 web sites for mathematics; in future months, we will feature other subject areas.
Balanced Assessment
Offers over 300 mathematics assessment tasks for grades K-12. Topics and activities include averages, addition, area, batting orders, bicycle rides, chance of rain, chance of survival, cheetah's lunch, classroom groups, cost of living, dart boards, detective stories, Fermi estimates, genetic codes, gestation and longevity, graphing, gravity, intersections, logarithms, oil consumption, rectangles, rising prices, squares and circles, stock market, triangles, volume, and more. (The Concord Consortium, supported by National Science Foundation)
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education
Provides inquiry-based activities and collaborative projects in science and math. Topics include real-time weather and climate data, air pollution, remote sensing data, the Gulf Stream, water use and testing around the world, boiling water, plants and animals in your schoolyard, measuring the circumference of earth, population growth, and tracking a real airplane in flight to see how vectors and trigonometry are used for navigation. (CIESE, supported by Department of Education)
Central Operations of Resources for Educators (CORE)
Describes more than 200 aeronautics and space programs chronicling NASA's state-of-the-art research and technology efforts. These videocassette, slide, and CD-ROM programs can serve as a springboard for discussing life science, physical science, space science, energy, Earth science, mathematics, technology, and career education. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
CESAME Support Site for Investigations
Is a comprehensive K-5 mathematics curriculum project which supports teachers who are implementing investigations in number, data and space in their classrooms. There is a discussion area where you can share your ideas, games which name one or two major mathematical topics for each, and resources for mathematical learning. (Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory, supported by Department of Education)
CESAME's IMPACT Project
Aims to accelerate the implementation of standards-based instructional materials throughout New England. It includes curriculum analysis tools, exemplary curriculum lists, implementation support for mathematics and science, and information on IMPACT Centers which among other things coordinate professional development among districts implementing the same curriculum. (Center for the Enhancement of Science and Mathematics Education, supported by National Science Foundation)
Classroom Compass
Is a collection of activities, and resources for teachers to improve instruction in science and mathematics. Each issue links sample classroom activities with ideas about learning and instruction. It presents examples of instructional activities that illustrate the issue's theme, supported by excerpts from standards-based publications. (Department of Education)
Create a Graph
Helps students create their own graphs and charts. This online tool can be used to make 4 kinds of charts and graphs: bar graphs, line graphs, area graphs, and pie charts. (Department of Education)
Directorate for Education and Human Resources
Seeks to promote the health and continued vitality of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education. Resources include publications, programs, and outreach activities for all educational levels. (National Science Foundation)
Ecybermission
Is a web-based math, science, and technology competition for teams in grades 6, 7, 8, and 9. Each team proposes a solution to a real problem in their community and competes for regional and national awards (such as U.S. savings bonds). Last year's winning 8th-grade team devised a 2-digit key code system to speed the handling of 911 calls. Registration is open through December 15. (Department of Army)
Exemplary Math/Science Projects
Is a list of outstanding educational programs. (Learning Point, supported by Department of Education)
