Content Area: 8th Grade Mathematics
Unit of Study: Algebra I
A. Website: Purplemath
Purplemath is a helpful website for eighth grade students who are taking Algebra I. This site has many short forums on specific topics which are related to Algebra I. Just click on a topic for additional help and the forum shows the key terms for that topic along with examples. If help is needed regarding a highlighted term, just click on that term and the page will go to the forum on the highlighted topic. Following the topic information are some examples that can be worked or just follow along to further the understanding of the topic. The most helpful information is at the end of the forum which is an interactive section where the user can make up their own problems and the page will give the solutions. This is a good way to double check homework problems. [Review by Sonia Z.]
Purplemath. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm
The article, "Why Learn Algebra?" by Jason Gibson, has a intriguing way of answering the main question asked by students, "Why do we need to learn Algebra?" Just like learning the elementary math functions, like adding and subtracting, Algebra has rules to follow and if taken one step at a time, it is not so overwhelming. This article talks about the applications that we see in our everyday lives that are linked to the skills learned in Algebra. A quote from Mr. Gibson in his article "try not to think of Algebra as a boring list of rules and procedures to memorize. Consider algebra as a gateway to exploring the world around us all."
Gibson, J. (n.d.). Why learn algebra?. Retrieved from http://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/why_learn_algebra.html
C.Video: Why are there letters in Algebra?
This video gives a detailed explanation of the use of letters used in math that makes up the variables in Algebra. The KhanAcademy videos are like watching a teacher instruct a specific lesson in a simplified manner. This is helpful to students to breakdown a topic as shown from a different instructor. This specific video will answer one of the first questions about Algebra. [Review Sonia Z.]
Why are there letters in algebra?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm98lnrlbMA
The Language of Mathematics - Making the Invisible Visible contains a vast amount of mathematics in the world around us that a person would not even think about in a mathematical sense. The chapter can be read out of order because the whole book talks about numbers and math for the real world. Thoughts that you might ponder about knots, coffee cups, even donuts, are talked about in a mathematical angle. Insurance and gambling have information from a statistical standpoint. What I like most about the book is the real world examples that have an Algebraic background. Just check out the chapters that pertain to Algebra for applications that you would have never thought about algebraically. [Review Sonia Z.]
Devlin, K. (2000, March 13). The language of mathematics: Making the invisible visible. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Language-Mathematics-Making-Invisible-Visible/dp/0805072543
Your book post looks really interesting! Seriously, I think I will put it on my Christmas list. What a great way to relate numbers, history and theories! And, how neat would it be to discover the origins of geometry... I can definitely think of a few students that would enjoy this book. Thanks so much for sharing, Sonia.
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