Background Information for Teachers

  Social Studies     Art     Science

Mathematics teachers who want to work across disciplines can find that a main obstacle is their comfort level with other subject matter. The following resources offer either general background or specific support in teaching the interdisciplinary lessons provided in this issue.

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Social Studies

The MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/

This is a top site on the web for mathematics history. You will find overviews of mathematics in various cultures (Chinese, Mayan, Babylonian) and histories of the development of such topics as algebra and number theory. The site also contains short biographies of more than 1,300 mathematicians. MSP full record

Journal of Online Mathematics and Its Applications http://mathdl.maa.org/mathDL/4/

This online magazine provides "a wealth of resources to help teach mathematics using its history." Using the search feature in the left-hand margin, select either "Classroom Suggestions" or "Articles." Although much on the site is aimed at the university level, the classroom suggestions include math history topics appropriate for the middle school classroom. The articles will generally interest math teachers more than students, providing you background on mathematics history; some articles, however, may prove useful for student research, such as "Eratosthenes and the Mystery of the Stades." Free registration is required. MSP full record

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Art

Fractal Geometry http://classes.yale.edu/Fractals/

Developed to support a first course in fractal geometry for university students, the site is incredibly deep but not overly abstract. It moves from the most basic definitions to nontechnical discussions to involved mathematical formulations. By selecting Panorama of Uses in the left-hand margin, you will find such interesting topics as "Fractals in Architecture" and "Forgeries of Nature." Applets and lab activities illustrate and enhance the discussion throughout. MSP full record

Classroom Polyhedral Activities http://www.georgehart.com/virtual-polyhedra/classroom.html

In these lesson ideas for teachers, George W. Hart, polyhedral master, gives ideas and instructions on how to construct polyhedral models from paper, soda straws, wood, and the Zometool kit. Although Hart does not give step-by-step directions here, he does make his ideas clear and shows a picture of each model. Part of Hart's Virtual Polyhedra: The Encyclopedia of Polyhedra.

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Science

This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/dynamic.html

This online booklet briefly introduces the concept of plate tectonics through visuals and text. You will find historical perspective, how the theory was developed, how the plates move, and even the unanswered questions held by scientists today on plate tectonics. MSP full record

Fundamentals of Flight, Instructor's Text http://wings.avkids.com/Book/Fundamentals/instructor/index.html

This online text first considers flight as seen in nature—the gliding flight of plants and some animals and the true flight of insects, birds, and bats. It goes on to discuss specific principles of aeronautics; of these, the most important to Plane Math is its explanation of the four basic forces of flight. MSP full record

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Copyright October 2006 — 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.