Math Enrichment Topics

Featured Link: Do You SuDoku?

The Sudoku Puzzles have become very popular with adults.   The challenge is to place each of the digits 1-4 or 1-6 or 1-9 in each box within the larger puzzle box so that no digit appears twice in any row or column.   The puzzles require logic to reason through the placement of specific digits and the ability to scan the entire puzzle for starting clues.   Now teachers can also use this popular format with students, thanks to this SuDoku for Kids website.

• Daily SuDoku for Kids presents easier versions of the SuDoku puzzles especially designed for younger students.   Each SuDoku is rated as easy, medium or hard so that teachers can select the most appropriate versions for their students.   An archive of past SuDoku problems and answers are available and are easily printed for use with students.   Consider introducing this problem-solving activity as an enrichment or center activity for interested students.   Solving the problems requires logic, methodical approach and persistence.
• Download the     SuDoku Templates (both 4x4 and 6x6 grids) to use as a reusable overhead or place the templates in sheet protectors so that students can use dry erase markers to solve the posted SuDoku problems and then reuse the templates for future problems.   Both 4x4 and 6x6 SuDoku problem grids are included so that teachers are able to differentiate problems for students in their classes.
• Download the     SuDoku 9x9 Grid Template

Geometry & Measurement

These activities support student development of spatial sense and foster familiarity with the mathematical vocabulary of geometry.

Tangrams:

• NCTM Tangram Puzzles and Tangram Challenges
• Virtual Manipulative: Tangrams
• Build a Shape with Tangrams
• Constructing Your Own Set of Tangrams
• Build a Shape with Tangrams
• Cyberchase Tangram Game

Tangram Literature Connections:

• Read Three Pigs, One Wolf, and Seven Magic Shapes.   Ask students to recreate the tangrams that illustrate the story using the tangram mats and commercial tangrams.   Challenge students to create their own tangram designs and combine into a class book or math center.
• Read Grandfather Tang's Story and ask students to recreate the tangrams that illustrate the story.   Challenge students to create a story page with new tangrams for animals that could be added before the end of the story.

Quilting and Transformations:

• See The Geometry of Quilts webpage for quilting activities and literature connections.
• Paper Quilts is a series of 8 lessons that develop the concepts of fractional parts, transformations and symmetry.
• Sew, You Want to Quilt? introduces students to the use of patterns in quilts.   Students also examine patterns in the artistic quilts of Faith Ringgold.
• Patch Tool lets students create a quilt patch using pattern block shapes.
• Quilt Blocks by Type is an online picture reference for standard quilt block designs.
• Quilts: Shape and Space in Geometry examines different types of symmetry found in quilting patterns.

• Freedom Quilts: the Kennedy Center ArtsEdge Lesson Plan that studies the use of transformations and symmetry in the Freedom Quilt patterns.   Students create their own Freedom Quilt.
• The Underground Railroad: a Study Guide for Teachers and Group Leaders introduces students to the secret codes used to pass information.   The code section also discusses the use of quilts to send messages.   Students can research the common patterns used in the Underground Railroad and study the geometric transformations used to create each.
• Threads of Freedom discusses the Underground Railroad and how quilts were used to give directions.

Symmetry:

• Symmetry Around the World project has links to many real-life examples of symmetry.
• Kaleidoscope Painter allows students to drag the brush around the applet window to instantly create a kaleidoscope picture.   This is a great introduction to the underlying symmetry of kaleidoscope designs.
• The Symmetrizer has an interactive How? feature that explains how mirror symmetry creates the familiar kaleidoscope designs.
• The Kaleidoscope and how it works
• Build Your Own Kaleidoscope
• You can create a Kaleidoscope

Tessellations:

• Teaching Escher: Using Escher in Classrooms
• M.C, Escher: the Official Website
• Totally Tessellated on Escher's Art
• The Oldest Escher Collection on the Web
• Make Your Own Tessellations: two types of Escher-like shapes can be created with the lesson plan
• Tessellation Tutorials
• Investigating Tessellations Using Pattern Blocks
• Tessellations WOW! from the Elementary School Math Project
• Tessellations.org
• Tessellation Town
• Tessellate!
• Virtual Manipulative: Tessellations
• Tessellation Tool
• Symmetry and Tessellations
• Sea World Tessellations created by students after a visit to Sea World
• Intriguing Tessellations
• Tessellating Alphabet
• Animated Tessellations
• Tessellation World of Makoto Nakamura

Math Projects

These projects help students develop an appreciation for how math is used to represent and solve problems in real-life situations.

• Research Projects: extended investigations with support materials for learning and teaching
• Internet Project Registry is described as "the original clearinghouse for collaborative projects from across the globe - projects hosted by the Global SchoolNet Foundation, other reputable organizations, and outstanding partner projects conducted by teachers worldwide! Whether you choose to join an existing project or announce one of your own, GSN's Projects Registry promises to save you time!"
  • Databasing Our Way Across the USA is an open project from 11/16/05 through 12/16/05.   Students may complete a survey online and the data will be used to determine if there is a "typical 5th grade student."
  • George the Geometric Giant encourages students to use technology (cameras, camcorders, etc.) to "capture various aspects or subjects particular to their community that inspire Mathematical thought.   Students then create 4-8 math word problems that relate to what they found."   The project runs from 11/04/05 through 6/02/06 for 9-16 year old students.
  • Great Game Swap II encourages teams of students to develop a mathematical strategy game then swap with a team from a different school.   The project runs from 1/04/06 through 4/28/06.
• Geometry Learning Units for Elementary School
• TechnoSpud.com Projects are projects in which students share results online with other classrooms around the world.
  • Double Stuf Oreo Project is complete but this data collection project could be replicated by students.
  • See Froot Loops to the Max 2003 for interdisciplinary counting and sorting project. A new version begins on 1/9/06. Registration begins on 12/10/05. See TechnoSpud.com Projects for more information or to register your class for the project.
• Step Right Up! Create a Classroom Carnival! A webquest for Grade 4
• Searching for Solutions: is a Web-based Problem Solving Unit in the form of a webquest.
• A Fractals Unit for Elementary and Middle School Children is designed to teach younger students about the mathematics behind the pretty pictures of fractals.

Logic Problems and Logic Games

These links challenge students to develop logical thinking and use patterns to solve these puzzles and brain teasers.

• Daily Sudoku for Kids
• Paint by Numbers
• Add 'em Up Game
• All Out Game
• Place It: Recreate the Square from the pieces
• Erich's Puzzle Palace

• Master Mind Game
• Mastermind Game applet
• Simon Says Game
• Peg Game
• The Set Game Daily Puzzle
• Math Gym Arcade