Monday, March 9, 2009

Updates, Math Teachers at Play, ADP Algebra Links, More Features,...

Math Teachers at Play #2
Denise has done another wonderful job of gathering some excellent posts for K-12 educators. Puzzles, articles on creative ways to develop arithmetic skills, bouncing balls, Pythagorean Day, Math Contests, vectors, integrals, a link to the 50th Carnival of Math, more Monday Math Madness and I'm just scratching the surface! And with all of this, Denise sprinkles in engaging images, graphics and intriguing quotes including one from Woody Allen! Denise, you're the best. If I can get my act together, I'll try to submit something for next time.

Recent Comments Widget in Sidebar
It's about time that this feature appeared! Wordpress and Typepad make this easy for bloggers but I had to figure out a way to do this for Blogger. Actually, it's not that hard and long overdue...

π and π-Day Links!
Over the past couple of years, I've posted several articles on π Day activities and other π factoids and investigations. The π-Day Scavenger Hunt post is definitely the most popular but you can locate all of these easily by going to the labels section in the sidebar and looking for π or π-Day. Better yet, this link will get you to all 7 of my π-Day posts!


Personal Thoughts or a Silly Math Riddle in the Sidebar?

Well, for now, I put up the latter in the sidebar. Please don't groan too much...

ADP/ACHIEVE LINKS
ALGEBRA I & II
Many visitors seem interested in all of the updates I've posted about the End of Course Exams, so I've decided to keep relevant links in the sidebar. I don't think Algebra I released test items have yet been posted (as of this date) but keep checking the Achieve site or, better yet, check here! What is particularly interesting are the test specifications for Algebra I.

NATIONAL STANDARDS MOVEMENT MOVING INEXORABLY FORWARD...
I've been keeping a very low profile here as one education leader after another comes out with their latest support for this novel idea! Those of you who have been following this blog for the past two years already know my position but it is gratifying to see one's views validated even if it took 15 years! I will have more to say about how this movement is growing exponentially but what is critical here is the idea that we're talking National Standards in Math, not Federal! Subtle but critical distinction...

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I wish I could be one-tenth as pleased by this possibility as you are, Dave. But I am not, for a host of reasons. Have you actually looked at the first released draft?

Dave Marain said...

Yes I have, Mike, and the initial offering leaves much to be desired. However it is a work in progress. The bottom line is this--
Nothing could be as bad as the mess we are currently in and no one's hands are clean here. The current disparity in what our children are learning is far more damaging and inequitable than any set of common standards.

Also bear in mind that a prescribed curriculum is not prescribed instruction.