Websites:

Math Playground - Geometry Videos

This website lists a variety of online geometry videos, such as how to find the area of a triangle.

MathPlayground (2010).  Math Videos.  Retrieved April 29, 2010, from http://www.mathplayground.com/mathvideos.html

 

 

Math Playground - Polygon Matching Game

This game allows students to match polygon images with their names.

MathPlayground (2010).  Polygon Matching Game.  Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://www.mathplayground.com/Matching_Shapes.html

 

 

Illuminations - Patch Tool

In this website, students manipulate pattern blocks to create designs.  There are buttons that allow students to rotate and flip the pattern blocks.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2000-2010).  Illuminations.  Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=27

 

MathewsMathematicians_1.avi 

This site lists several links for math and architecture resources for students and teachers.

Mathematics and Architecture Resources

Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://www.math-kitecture.com/resources.htm

 

 

 

Children of the Earth

This site has Earth friendly strategies for making your home green.

Children of the Earth United (1999-2010).  Children of the Earth.  Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://www.childrenoftheearth.org/green-building-sustainable-homes/green-homes-sustainable-living-index.htm

 

 

Children of the Earth

This site has book resources to help children learn about the environment and natural world with its living creatures.

Children of the Earth United (1999-2010).  Children of the Earth.  Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://www.childrenoftheearth.org/Navy%20Pages/recommended-books-children-environment.htm

 

 

National Geographic-Deforestation

This website explains deforestation and how it affects our environment.

National Geographic Society (1996-2010).  Deforestation.  Retrieved April 29, 2010 from

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview.html

 

 

National Geographic-Rain Forest Threats

This website outlines threats to our Rain Forests and offers solutions for sustainability.

National Geographic Society (1996-2010).  Rain Forest Threats.  Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rainforest-threats/

 

 

Green Building Elements

This website gives a tour of homes made from green materials.

Green Building Elements (n.d.)  Green Building Houses.  Retrieved April 29, 2010 from http://greenbuildingelements.com/

 

 

Google SketchUp

SketchUp.avi

This program allows students to create 2-D shapes and convert them into 3-D shapes.  It also gives students the ability to create a 2-D floorplan, turn it into 3-D, and measure the dimensions of the structure.

 

Literature:

Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids (English)

Thorne-Thomsen, K. (1994). Frank Lloyd Wright For Kids.  Chicago Review Press. 

 

Synopsis: An introduction to the life of the famous architect. Also included are recipes, crafts, and activities inspired by Wright's work and life. Illustrated with b&w drawings and photographs.

 

 

 

Round Buildings, Square Buildings, & Buildings That Wiggle Like a Fish (English)  

Isaacson, P. (1995).  Round Buildings, Square Buildings, & Buildings That Wiggle Like a Fish.  Random House Children's Books

 

Synopsis: This introduction to architecture covers such well known structures as Stonehenge, Chartres Cathedral, the Taj Mahal, the Parthenon, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Illustrated with color photographs.

 

 

 

Housebuilding for Children (English)

Author:   Walker, L. (1988).  Housebuilding for Children.  Overlook Press.

 

Synopsis: Illustrates each step in the construction of a tree house, a wood frame house, a junk-yard house, a post-and-beam house, a glass house, and a kit-of-parts house, all of which can be easily built by seven to twelve-year-olds

 

 

 

Math in the Real World of Architecture (English)

Dimensions, Quantities, Shapes, and Patterns 

Cook, S. (1996).  Math in the Real World of Architecture.  Incentive Publications.

 

Synopsis:  This is a great source of can-do real world activities for kids old enough to tackle elementary geometry and algebra. The lively 96-page paperback has word problems and activities that show how architects use math to design buildings and structures.

 

 

 

 

Draw 50 Buildings and Other Structures

Ames, L. J. (1991).  Draw 50 Buildings and Other Structures.  Doubleday.

 

Synopsis:  From the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal — 50 man-made and natural structures from around the world are drawn here. 

 

 

 

Day in the Life of an Architect (English)

Kruhm, M. (1999).  Day in the Life of an Architect.  Powerkids Press.

 

Synopsis: It's never too early to give kids resources that will help them turn aspirations into occupations. These exciting glimpses into the offices, classrooms, kitchens, and parks of the gifted professionals of today will inform and inspire the working professionals of tomorrow. 

 

 

 

The Name Quilt 

Root, P. (2003).  The Name Quilt.  Farrar, Straus, and Giroux 

  

Synopsis:  One of Sadie's favorite things to do when she visits her grandmother is to hear stories about the family members whose names are on a special quilt that Grandma had made, so Sadie is very sad when the quilt is blown away in a storm.

 

 

 

The Patchwork Path:  A Quilt Map to Freedom

Stroud, B. (2007).  The Patchwork Path:  A Quilt Map to Freedom.  Candlewick Press.

 

Synopsis:  Now that Hannah’s papa has decided to make the run for freedom, her patchwork quilt is not just a precious memento of Mama — it’s a series of hidden clues that will guide them along the Underground Railroad to Canada. 

 

 

 

 

The Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days with Projects Kids Can Make

Cobb, M. (1995).  The Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days with Projects Kids Can Make.  Millbrook Press.

 

Synopsis:  Easy-to-make papercraft quilt projects show how the daily lives and experiences of the pioneers came to be reflected in the quilts they made. 

 

 

 

 

The Quiltmaker’s Gift

Brumbeau, J. (2000).  The Quiltmaker's Gift.  Orchard Books.

 

Synopsis: When a generous quiltmaker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart.

 

 

 

 

The Quiltmaker’s Journey

Brumbeau, J. (2004).  The Quiltmaker's Journey.  Orchard Books.

 

Synopsis:  The quiltmaker grows up wealthy and sheltered, but radically changes her life after she discovers the poverty and need outside her town. 

 

 

 

 

Quilt Math

Mitchell, C. (2005).  Quilt Math.  Scholastic Teaching Resources

 

Synopsis:  First kids solve math problems and then “color by number” to create bright and bold quilt-square designs. Covers place value, multi-digit addition and subtraction (with and without regrouping), multi-digit multiplication and division, operations with fractions and decimals, and more. 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt

Hopkinson, D. (1993).  Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt.  Alfred A. Knopf.

 

Synopsis:  A young slave stitches a quilt with a map pattern which guides her to freedom in the North.

 

 

 

 

Under the Quilt of Night

Hopkinson, D. (2002).  Under the Quilt of Night.  Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

 

Synopsis:  A young girl flees from the farm where she has been worked as a slave and uses the Underground Railroad to escape to freedom in the north. 

 

 

 

Shapes, Shapes, Shapes

  

Hoban, T. (1986).  Shapes, Shapes, Shapes.  Greenwillow Books.

 

Synopsis:  Giving examples of different shapes, like circles, hexagons, parallelograms and stars, this book asks the child to find the shapes within the pictures. This marvelous book from a topnotch photographer gives children the opportunity to see the world around them, not just look at it.

 

Cubes, Cones, Cylinders, and Squares

  

Hoban, T (1986).  Cubes, Cones, Cylinders, and Squares.  Greenwillow Books.

 

Synopsis:  The photos stand alone in this textless mathematics book. Four small, labeled diagrams on the back of the title page define the shapes. After that, readers are led on a treasure hunt for those shapes through 21 crisp, colorful pictures.

 

Cut Down to Size at High Noon 

 

Sundby, S. (2000).  Cut Down to Size at High Noon.  Charlesbridge Publishing. 

 

Synopsis:  An entertaining picture book that teaches students about scale and ratio.

 

 

 

Teacher Resources

Hands on Standards 

 

 Author: Learning Resources

Synopsis:  The handbook is a step-by-step, photo-illustrated professional handbook. Features 70 manipulation based activities with real-world problem-solving scenarios. Blackline masters reinforce key math concepts and visual organization. Special "Look Out" section.