Math Applets

Applet #1: Alien Angles

Math Playground
URL: http://www.mathplayground.com/alienangles.html

Angle Aliens supports Grade 4 Common Core Math Standards in Measurement and Data.

"Friendly aliens are traveling to a new space colony on Planet Geometry. Unfortunately, some aliens have lost their way. You have been placed in charge of the rescue mission. It is your responsibility to set the correct angle on the rescue launcher. The computer will generate the launch angle. To be successful, you must estimate the angle on the rescue launcher within 5 degrees. There are 10 aliens to find in all. Good luck with your mission."

This would be a great applet for 3-5 graders studying angles in Geometry whether it is just now being introduced, or whether it is used for a review game. First of all, I believe students would respond well to this applet because of the nature of the game being about aliens and a rescue mission. This will help to keep the students' interest while they are practicing their Geometry skills. As far as their Geometry skills go, students will be able to begin to recognize what certain angle measurements look like in terms of drawings or figures. For example, a student will begin to see that a 90 degree angle takes an "L" shape, or that 180 degrees lies flat. This will also help build their estimation skills when working with angles, as they are asked to provide an estimate of a certain angle by drawing the lines themselves just from remembering what that angle may look like. I would definitely use this applets in the classroom with beginning and more advanced Geometry students.

Applet #2: Platform Scale Subtraction

Visual Fractions
URL: http://www.visualfractions.com/scale/platformscale3.htm

Platform Scale Subtraction supports Grade 5 Common Core Standards in Measurement and Data.

In this applet, you are given a virtual "scale" on the screen and are shown 5 "Gregs" (simply the name of the character that each student is weighing. The instructions are as followed: 

"Press the <Start> button when the program begins. Five Gregs will appear and one of the Gregs will drop down to be weighed. You can weigh Greg by moving the larger and smaller weights to the right or left on the graduated bar. 

The bottom (larger) weight shows units and the top(smaller) weight shows hundredths of a gram. Move the weights until the bar is level. 

The red pointer on the right should be on the center mark when you arrive at Greg's weight.

When you arrive at Greg's weight a plunger will gently push him to the right. You will be prompted to type the difference between the remaining gregs and the Greg you weighed. Type the difference into the edit box and press the <Submit> button. If the amount you submitted is correct, another Greg will land onto the scale. Continue until all Gregs are weighed.

After five Gregs are weighed, you will have a chance to weigh more Gregs by pressing the <Start> button or you can press the <rReport> button to report the time it took to weigh five Gregs.
The program will keep track of the total Gregs you have weighed and the time you took to weigh them.

A challenge - See if you can find the differences mentally."

This applet would be very useful in class to bring a visual representation for the students to see as you are discussing weight/weight changes and measurement. With this applet, students are able to actually see the scale, play around with different measurements, and put their knowledge to the test as they manually set the scale to difference weights and subtract them from the original. I really liked how this applet was set up when I first discovered it because of how many different skills it allows the students to work on at one time. However, one of my complaints about this site is that I can see it being somewhat tricky for young students to navigate or make use of the game. It would take some time introducing this applet to the students, and it may also take time for them to get used to this idea and be able to use it on their own. I would recommend using this activity on the Smart Board and as a whole class activity to make the most of your time and for students to reap the full benefit of this applet.

App #1: Splash Math

iTunes Store
URL: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/3rd-grade-splash-math-games./id449564960?mt=8 

Math Splash supports Grade 3 Common Core Math Standards.

Splash Math is an app for 3rd grade classrooms that includes a variety of fun and interactive math problems aligned to Common Core Standards. "The app reinforces math concepts with self-paced and adaptive practice anytime, anywhere (works on iPhone, iPad, laptops, and desktops)."

This program is currently being used by more than 10 million teachers and students, and many teachers have given this app great reviews such as this one:

"I’m very impressed with the thoroughness of content in Splash Math. I really like the workbook concept and it works well here. This is most definitely a well thought out, well designed, educational and entertaining Math app."

Splash Math has various key features such as:

• self-paced math programs
• explanations for wrong answers
• scratchpad for rough work
• virtual rewards and games
• monitors progress with a real-time progress dashboard
• progress synced across multiple iPhones, iPads, laptops, and desktops
• HD graphics and sound effects 

Likewise, Splash Math covers the various topics needed to align with the Common Core Standards:

"1. Place Value - Ones; Tens; Hundreds; Thousands; Ten thousands; Expanded and word forms
2. Number Sense - Compare; Order and round numbers 
3. Addition – Two and three digit addition and regrouping
4. Subtraction – One, Two and Three digit subtraction and regrouping; Subtract Across zeroes
5. Four Digit Addition – Two and three digit addition and regrouping with four digits
6. Four Digit Subtraction – Two and Three digit subtraction and regrouping with four digits; Subtract Across zeroes
7. Multiplication Facts - Properties of multiplication; Multiply by 0 to 10 
8. Division Facts- Properties of division; Divide by 2 to 10 
9. Fractions – Identify fractions, Model fractions; Equivalent fractions; Compare fractions
10. Time - Read and set time; Elapsed time 
11. Measurements and Data - Measuring length; Units of length, Capacity, Weight; Data on Line plots and Bar graphs; Perimeter; Area
12. Geometry - Triangles; Quadrilaterals
13. Decimals - Tenths; Hundredths 
14. Multiplication - Multiply multiples of 10; Estimate products; Multiply 2, 3 digit numbers 
15. Division - Divide multiples of 10, 100; Estimate quotients; 2/3 digit quotients 
16. Money - Add and Subtract money; Multiply and Divide money"

All in all, I think this is a WONDERFUL app for the classroom. First of all, this app is eye appealing, fun, and interactive for all students. It allows students to be entertained while working through the math skills necessary for their grade level. I also love that this app is self-paced and students can work to the best of their ability without being rushed. This app also gives great explanations for wrong answers so that students can reflect on the feedback. Another huge plus for this app is how it allows students to sync and track their progress through various devices. This is a great way for students to keep practicing at home from where they left off in class. This also could be a helpful benefit for teachers as they could give a fun homework assignment of completing some Splash Math activities at home. Lastly, this app is wonderful just due to the sheer amount of informations and topics that it covers.