interactive learning

Q1 STEM Interactives: Math

12. Interactives

mathematics interactives

There are interactive activities and additional resources located on this page that are focused on Mathematics.  Select the  symbol in each green field to check out the activities and resources.

Step 1. Check with your teacher about the expectations for exploring these Math activities and resources. There are a variety of different interactives that can support your interests and learning goals.

  • Activities provide opportunities to explore cool digital tools that make learning Math concepts interactive and engaging online. Each one includes a task for you to try out and complete.
  • Resources allow you to explore websites and apps that can help you learn more and go deeper in the online Math world.

Math symbols written on a glass wall within a futuristic building. This image is AI generated.

Step 2.  Consider the two assignment options:

  • Option 1: Choose ONE of the Interactive Activities below and complete the Recording Document linked in the activity.  If there is no Recording Document, follow the steps in the activity and use a format of your choice - such as a journal entry, slide deck, or a screen-recorded summary - to record your findings. 
    • Again, check with your teacher about the expectations for submitting the Recording Document or your work.  
  • Option 2: Write a brief review in the best format for you (i.e., Google Slides Presentation) about one of the Interactive Activities or the Resources below that you think would be the most useful to you in school. Include the information below: 
    • The name of the activity.
    • URL of the activity.
    • Topic you researched.
    • Write 2-3 sentences describing the activity with a screenshot of a part of the activity that is meaningful to you.
    • Write 2–4 sentences explaining why you would recommend (or not recommend) this activity. What part did you enjoy or find the most interesting? 
    • Write 2-3 sentences answering the question: What’s one thing you think could be changed or improved to make the experience better for someone else?

Step 3. Be prepared to share your learning experience based on your teacher's instructions.

Be a numbers cruncher and learn how to use an online calculator to assist with your problem-solving skills.

Step 1. Use this recording document (Dynamic Desmos Activity) to work through the activity.

Step 2. You will be exploring three types of online calculators:

  • Four Function
  • Scientific
  • Graphing.

Step 3. These online calculators are used for online assessments. Since you canNOT use your phone, it is essential to practice using these tools. 

Step 4. Someday, you may be able to create images like the one below within the online calculator—that would be rich!



As a middle school mathematician, sometimes we get stuck on how to do a problem and our teacher is not available.  That is when Flexi may be able to help you with the learning process.  Flexi is a chatbot create by CK-12 as an AI Student tutor.  Flexi is able to help with almost any school content area.  


For this exploration, let's focus on mathematics.

Step 1. Click on this link to take you to Flexi. If asked to sign in, click on the "x" to close that window. You do not need an account to use Flexi.


Step 2. Ask Flexi to show you how to solve a math concept you are currently working on in your math class.  If you don't have anything at this time, use the example: show me how to solve the addition of two fractions each with a different number as the denominator.

Step 3. Ask follow-up questions if you are still unclear about how to solve a problem similar to the one you asked or need additional help.

Step 4. Check out the information on the right side of the Flexi chatbot page.  Explore some of the other help features that Flexi offers.



Be a Mathematician who knows your virtual manipulative stuff!

Amplify's Polypad virtual manipulatives offer a full library of interactive tools for exploring and discovering mathematics. These digital manipulatives enhance learning by providing a hands-on, visual approach to mathematical concepts.

You will explore three specific examples of the virtual manipulatives in use and then check out other manipulatives that may connect to the mathematics you are learning in your math class.

Step 1. Copy or download this Polypad Explorer recording document.

Step 2. Complete each of the three example explorations outlined in the Explorer recording document.

  • Winter Balance Scale Puzzle
  • A Puzzle A Day!
  • Integer Addition

Step 3. Take some time to explore the other virtual manipulatives/tools on the Polypad website.

  • Reflect on your exploration in the Explorer recording document.


You are a middle school mathematician! Along the way, all mathematicians can benefit from using manipulatives that help bridge the gap in understanding the presented math concept. Online manipulatives and applications are a great way to start with a virtual representation.

The Math Learning Center has provided a free list of Math Apps!

You may want to work with a partner to collaborate on using the app.  

You can devise some problems to solve, or ask your teacher if they have a list of issues for each app.

Take some time to try your hand at using these apps. For middle school standards, it is recommended that you try the apps listed below. For each app, read through the page that is linked to understand how to get started, and then click on the Go to web app button on the left of the page.



PhET Math Simulations are built for you! Whether used in the classroom or at home, they provide web-based simulations to help you visualize and manipulate mathematics concepts in real time. They are engaging and allow for "virtual hands-on" exploration.


Let's enhance your mathematical problem-solving skills by trying out the recommended simulations below. Then, explore others that may interest you.

You may want to work with a partner to discuss what is happening. Then, work together to create problems that could be solved by using each simulation.

For each simulation, click on the play icon in the center of the image to access it directly. Then, start testing out the various buttons.  

Now, check out others that may be useful to you in your mathematical studies in middle school by going to the main Middle School Mathematics page.

To check out other grade levels and subjects, change the filters on the left of the page.




Many of us have mobile phones within easy access to use and our phones have a nice built in scientific calculator.  With that, some of us are not allowed to use our phones, if we have one, in the school setting.  So, it is nice to be able to access to an online calculator on our computer or chromebook.

Since you may already be familiar with the awesome Desmos online calculators (recommended to complete the Dynamic Desmos Activity), let's check out these simple calculators along with the interesting history provided about the calculator.


 12.Q1 Introduction  12.Q1 SCIENCE  12.Q1 TECHNOLOGY

12.Q1 ENGINEERING   12.Q1 MATH   12.Q1 Completing 

12.Q1 Student Checklist
 

12.Q1 Teacher Guide 

MITECS  Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students, and

ISTE Standards for Students

1. Empowered Learner
a. Articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them, and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes
d. Understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies, are able to transfer their knowledge to explore emerging technologies

5. Computational Thinker
b. Collect data or identify relevant data sets, use digital tools to analyze them, and represent data in various ways to facilitate problem-solving and decision-making
c. Break problems into component parts, extract key information, and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving

Websites

Videos from Outside Sources

21t4s Videos

21t4s Documents & Quizzes


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