Different methods of starting a Math lesson

Well start is half done!

If a teacher is able to capture attention in the beginning of a lesson then half of the job is done. This means the first two classes of a Math lesson are very crucial. There are various methods of beginning a Math lesson in a creative manner.

#1 Making a connection- Everytime it is not essential that we are going to start a new concept. Students have some knowledge about it earlier. So, forming a connection by asking questions based on previously gained knowledge of students is a tried and tested strategy which helps in motivating students for further learning.

#2 Showing a picture - A picture says a thousand words. In a math class, one may begin a lesson by showing a picture from surroundings showing the use of some Math concept leading to introducing new concept.

#3 Story telling - This helps a lot in the beginning of a lesson. I believe we as teachers need to capture attention of students so that their focus is on the new topic. Story telling is indeed a good way to start a lesson.

#4 Realising the need to learn- Why we are learning this concept ? Why it is important ? This must be answered in the beginning.

#5 Involving students - Calling students names in between , taking their help ,taking their examples helps in capturing attention till the end of class.

#6 Showing real objects - Sometimes it is feasible to carry real objects in a classroom. Students may be asked to look around themselves to observe things also.

It is the way how a topic is introduced which matters a lot.

13 Learning Times Tables Links

Multiplication tables plays an important role in learning Mathematics. Children move away from learning them. Technology has helped teachers by offering interesting tools/games/software for helping children to learn concepts and practise.

Here are some interesting links
#1

1. Times tables generator You will get times table generated in click of mouse. Just type in the number and click...

#2 (Free and Downloadable )

Here is an interesting downloadable Math game which may be used for practising tables. I find it different and challenging too.Try it!

Valgetal Falling Numbers 3.23

#3 (Free and downloadable)

Another one is Multiplication Master...Free multiplication tables practice software.Fast, simple and easy to use for budding multiplication masters of all ages!Keeps your score so you can see how well you're doing.Single table mode lets you focus on one multiplication table at a time - the fastest way to improveRandom feature tests you against all the multiplication tablesIncludes reference tables to help you learn multiplication tables fastUnlimited use. Practice as many multiplications as you want, as often as you want.Completely free. No charge for this software - ever.Here is the link to download.

#4 (Free Junior edition)

This one is learn MathMatic JuniorMathmatic is a program for learning and drilling multiplication tables 1 through 12. It is dedicated to that unique task and it does it thoroughly. MathMatic generates and PRINTS DRILL SHEETS. The user can choose between Mental and Written learning modes and use the timer to measure performance. MathMatic's sounds and colors are fully user definable. The Junior Edition is Freeware and is directed towards young students (multipliers bound to low values).

#5
A free multiplication program for kids... MULTIPLICATION FACTS lets you learn and practice the basic times tables using the numbers zero through twelve. And it's FREE! MULTIPLICATION FACTS lets you work with any digit(s) you choose. Review times tables, see graphic representations of problems, or take speed drills. The program grades your performance and provides feedback. Print worksheets for practice away from the computer.

#6
Checkout Times tables activities,games and worksheets ...quite interesting!!
#7

Tables tree-an interesting game to practice multiplication tables.

#8

A complete website on multiplication for teaching learning multiplication facts.

#9

Visualising Multiplication tables using this applet.

Visual Multiplication

#10

Answer 10 multiplication questions. How much time did you take?

Tables times

#11

Multiplication flash cards on Quizlet.

#12

Interactive practice of times tables. Click on a box. Drag the right answer from the numbers given on RHS.

#13
Explore Multiplication tables in an interactive manner.

15 Places to find Teaching Resources and Math teaching strategies

Trying to get a classroom of 20 to 30 individual thinkers to understand difficult math concepts can sometimes be challenging. Fortunately, there are many websites that offer lesson plans, activities, teaching strategies, and other resources to help you out. Here is a list of 15 sites that math teachers will find especially useful:

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - The NCTM, a public voice in mathematics education, provides professional development strategies, lessons, journals, books, and other resources that can be used in a K-12 math classroom.

The Math Forum - This free online math warehouse offers lesson plans, activities, educational materials, teaching strategies, career development resources, and much more. The Math Forum also provides links to other resources that are useful for math education.

TeAchnology - TeAchnology, a huge database of lesson plans and classroom resources, is loaded with lesson plans specifically for math teachers. The lesson plans cover all grades, areas, and concepts.

Math.com - Even though this site was created to help students with math, Math.com features a variety of resources teachers can use as well. Under the teachers section of this site, you can find lesson plans, classroom resources, career information, standards, and other free resources.

Math-Videos-Online - This free online math site features math videos that teachers can use with their lessons to demonstrate important concepts. The site also offers interactive games, quizzes, and printable worksheets to be used in conjunction with the videos.

Rader's Numbernut - Rader's Numbernut is a site that contains interactive math games and activities for beginning and advance math. Teachers can use these activities within their lessons to illustrate important concepts.

Illuminations - The Illuminations site features a library of 103 activities that teachers can use with their K-12 students. In addition to the activities, this site also features over 500 lessons specifically for math.

TheTeachersCorner - Teachers looking for a wide range of online teaching resources will enjoy the lesson plans, worksheets, and activities offered on TheTeachersCorner. This site also features a message board, printables, bulletin board, and other general resources that teachers will find useful.

AAA Math - AAA Math provides a comprehensive set of lessons for K-8 students. The lessons come with unlimited practice to help students master concepts.

FREE - The Federal Resources for Education Excellence (FREE) features a huge list of teaching resources for algebra, data analysis, geometry, measurement, numbers and operations, and other math concepts. The teaching resources cover lesson plans, tools, learning activities, and more.

Discovery Education - Discovery Education offers free math lesson plans for elementary to high school students. The lesson plans are broken up into three sections for elementary, middle school, and high school children.

Mathematics Learning - This blog, created by an educator with over a decade of experience, provides math teachers with a place to find and share new strategies in the teaching of math. Throughout the pages of this blog, teachers will find resources, activities, and strategies that have been successful in other math classrooms.

Terri Husted - The Terri Husted site is designed specifically to give math teachers information and ideas on how to improve their teaching strategies. Throughout this site, you will find information on classroom management, new teacher resources, math activities, homework assessments, and much more.

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is a free online activities site that teachers can use with their K-12 classrooms to visually demonstrate numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis.

Math Drills - Math Drills provides thousands of free printable math worksheets that are great for assessing student's abilities, giving extra practice, and teaching new strategies.

Guest post from education writer Karen Schweitzer. Karen is the About.com Guide to Business School. She also writes for OnlineCollege.org, an online college resource.

ThatQuiz for teachers

Children love to learn in a playway method. Why not try evaluating their knowledge using readymade quizzes ? Recently, I was exploring some recreational Math resources for teachers and I stumled upon ThatQuiz.

ThatQuiz for Teachers is a free testing service for teachers to use with their classes. Multiple choice tests and math tests can be administered to students using this website. All grades are immediately reported to the students. Teachers receive complete record keeping of test results, including all grades and wrong answers.

Here is the link.