Background Information for Teachers

If looking to refresh your mathematical content knowledge, or simply to find a new approach to teaching the material targeted in the Grade 8 Focal Points, you will find these professional resources valuable.

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Learning Math: Patterns, functions, and algebra http://learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/algebra/

In this online course designed for elementary and middle school teachers, each of ten sessions centers on a topic, such as understanding linearity and proportional reasoning or exploring algebraic structure. The teacher-friendly design includes video, problem-solving activities, and case studies that show you how to apply what you have learned in your own classroom. MSP full record

Linear functions and slope http://learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/algebra/session5/index.html

In one session from the online workshop described above, teachers gather to explore linear relationships--as expressed in patterns, tables, equations, and graphs. Video segments, interactive practice, problem sets, and discussion questions guide participants they consider such concepts as slope and function. MSP full record

Similarity http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/geometry/session8/index.html

Explore scale drawing, similar triangles, and trigonometry in terms of ratios and proportion in this series of lessons developed for teachers. Besides explanations and real-world problems, the unit includes video segments that show teachers investigating problems of similarity. To understand the ratios that underlie trigonometry, you can use an interactive activity provided online. MSP full record

Indirect Measurement and Trigonometry http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/measurement/session5/index.html

For practical experience in the use of trigonometry, look at these examples of measuring impossible distances and inaccessible heights. These lessons show proportional reasoning in action! (From Indirect measurement and trigonometry — MSP full record)

Pythagorean Theorem http://www.cut-the-knot.org/pythagoras/index.shtml

A collection of 76 proofs of the theorem! From the diverse approaches used by Euclid, Da Vinci, President Garfield, and many others, these proofs are clearly and colorfully illustrated, often accompanied by an interactive Java illustration to further clarify the brief explanations. Incredible as it sounds, this page is far from boring. (From Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles)

Variation about the mean http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/data/session5/index.html

Just what do we mean by “the mean”? This workshop session, developed for K-8 teachers, explores this statistic in depth. Participants work together to investigate the mean as the "balancing point" of a data set and come to understand how to measure variation from the mean. MSP full record

Gallery of Data Visualization: The Best and Worst of Statistical Graphics http://www.math.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/

This site offers graphical images that represent data from a range of sources (historical events, spread of disease, distribution of resources). The author contrasts the differences between the best and worst graphics by showing how some images communicate data clearly and truthfully, while others misrepresent, lie, or totally fail to "say something." If you are looking for innovative representations of data or examples of misrepresentation, you will find this resource helpful. (From Ohio resource center for mathematics, science, and reading — MSP full record)

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Copyright May 2008 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.