Additional Math Pages & Resources

Monday, August 26, 2013

Top-Notch Teachers Help Students Succeed

According to recent research, top-notch teachers help students succeed. This comes as no surprise to most educators. Effective teachers can boost the test scores of students who have previously struggled. Really? We had to fund a research study to make this correlation? Any teacher who works with struggling, apathetic or disadvantaged students and helps them increase their interest, knowledge and test scores could have told us this. And many students and parents have been pointing this out for years.

But often these teachers are not treated as professionals and are not invited into the conversation about improving student performance. Instead, their hands are frequently tied as they try to meet ever-changing standards while helping to build successful students and upstanding contributors to society. These teachers must try to stay under the radar and continue to work diligently with students even as they are required to attend workshops on the latest education trend or short-lived fad.


This study found that effective teachers can boost the test scores of students who had struggled under low-performing instructors. And the national debate over teacher performance continues. Some teachers do just fine when teaching high-achieving students or students who have the support of their parents. But some of those same teachers may not have the ability to manage a classroom of under-achieving students who don't care for school, don't trust teachers, and don't have support at home. That doesn't mean these are not good teachers. It simply means they have an extremely challenging clientele and other teachers may be better equipped to help these students succeed.

The three-year study by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is the first large-scale research to show, using random student assignment, that some teachers can produce test-score gains regardless of the past performance of their students, according to foundation officials.

Tom Kane, a professor at Harvard's Graduate School of Education and leader of the research project, said the data provide the best evidence yet that some teachers can "cause student achievement to happen, and this is a really big deal." Read more at wsj.com.


At the same time, increasing a student's love for math and learning in general seems like it should be a higher priority than increasing that student's test scores. Fortunately, Excel Math lessons do both. Students build confidence in math as they have success completing the lessons. Test scores rise, in part because the systematic spiraling process keeps concepts in front of students all year long so they can retain those concepts over the long term.

For over 35 years, Excel Math has been helping students succeed and even thrive in mathematics.
New to Excel Math? Preview elementary math lessons that really work for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade on our website: www.excelmath.com

Let us know how you get your students interested in learning math. Do you have tips for engaging under-achieving students? Leave a comment by clicking on the word "comments" below.

Download sample lessons from our new Common Core Teacher Edition at http://excelmath.com/downloads/state_stds.html

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

How Handwriting Boosts the Math Brain

Excel Math uses unique paper student lesson sheets instead of technology or keyboarding to help students learn and write the math concepts. The lessons do not include busy work, since the students don't need to copy over the entire problem. Instead, students form shapes, numbers and number words by hand as they complete the worksheets. Brain research supports that students retain more in the long term when they actually write it down.

According to a Wall Street Journal article by Gloria Bounds "Using advanced tools such as magnetic resonance imaging, researchers are finding that writing by hand is more than just a way to communicate. The practice helps with learning letters and shapes, can improve idea composition and expression, and may aid fine motor-skill development." Perhaps that's one reason why Excel Math is used successfully for remediation as well as for advanced students. Actually writing the answers by hand, along with our unique spiraling system is helping students remember the math and recall it over the long term.

"Other research highlights the hand's unique relationship with the brain when it comes to composing thoughts and ideas," the article continues. "Virginia Berninger, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Washington, says handwriting differs from typing because it requires executing sequential strokes to form a letter." Read more from the article: How Handwriting Boosts the Brain 

Excel Math lets students begin drawing (writing) numerals in Kindergarten and First Grade. We believe that physically creating the shapes (playing with counting blocks, using counters and manipulatives, etc.) is critical in developing a deep understanding of mathematics. There is a hand-eye-brain coordination/connection that is reinforced by actual physical activity of creating the numerals in an answer (as opposed to clicking on the correct answer on the screen).

Here's a third grader's Excel Math Lesson Sheet ... [click the image to enlarge]


Completed Grade 3 Excel Math Lesson Sheet

New to Excel Math? Preview elementary math lessons that really work for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade on our website: www.excelmath.com.

Download sample lessons from our new Common Core Teacher Editions at http://excelmath.com/downloads/state_stds.html

Do you agree with this research? Let us know how you encourage writing and hands-on math activities in your classroom. Leave a comment by clicking on the word "comment" below.

Monday, August 19, 2013

National Aviation Day: Flying High

National Aviation Day is observed on August 19 to celebrate the history and development of aviation. It coincides with the birthday of Orville Wright who, together with his brother Wilbur, made significant contributions to aviation and flight.

Excel Math was written to give teachers the tools they need to help students develop a strong foundation in math. For over 35 years, these math lessons have been proven to develop higher-order thinking skills, build proficiency, and produce confidence in students of all ages and abilities. Read more about Excel Math and its systematic spiraling process at excelmath.com.

Here in San Diego, the home of Excel Math, we have a wonderful Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park. It is an aviation and space exploration museum that houses airplanes, exhibits, and hands-on demonstrations. It's housed in the former Ford Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This year it celebrates its 50th anniversary!

The San Diego Air and Space Museum offers a variety of group and individual activities tailored to meet the needs of school children. All programs correlate with the State of California's Academic Content Standards as well as the Science Framework for California Public Schools. If you plan a visit, make sure to download the pre-visit materials to help your students make the most out of their visit:
http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/education/teachers_section.php

One highlight of this museum is the FS2000 Two-Seat Flight Simulator, part of an all-new, sleek squadron of indoor full-motion multi-role aircraft rides. Each is poised for the sharp banks, sky loops and screaming dives of aerial combat and is completely controlled by the pilots themselves! Pictured here is another simulator, the F35.
The 360-degree pitch, roll, spin and spiral action is real while riders fly any one of Max-Flight's combat and flight training programs on a huge 58" screen in the cockpit. The FS2000 lets guests be pilot or gunner or both as they engage in interactive dog fighting, carrier landings, flight training and aerobatic maneuvers.

If you're in Washington D.C., the Smithsonian has an outstanding Air and Space Museum. Here are some photos from the Smithsonian exhibit:

If you can't make it to D.C. to visit these planes in person, you can take a look at the Smithsonian's online exhibit about the Wright Brothers at http://airandspace.si.edu/.


You can also let your students build scale models of the Wright brothers' planes from 1900 to 1903 with these instructions from Roger Storm, teacher and Chairman of the Chemistry Department at Fairview Park High School, Fairview Park, Ohio. All you need are some foam meat trays and toothpicks and minimum model-making skills. These models are designed for students in Grades 6 through 10:

Let us know how you plan to celebration Aviation Day in your classroom. Leave a comment by clicking on the word "comment" below.


You might also like these articles:

New to Excel Math? Preview elementary math lessons that really work for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade on our website: www.excelmath.com.

Download sample lessons from our new Common Core Teacher Edition at http://excelmath.com/downloads/state_stds.html

Take a look at more photos from the Smithsonian here:




Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Back to School Basics: Classroom Management

It's that time of year—back to school! Some schools here in San Diego county are already in session. Others begin next week and still others start after Labor Day. Whenever you start, it helps to have a classroom management routine at the ready. We've pulled together some great ideas for getting off to a flying start this year.

Excel Math was written to give teachers the tools they need to help their students develop a strong foundation of math. For over 35 years, these math lessons have been proven to develop higher-order thinking skills, build proficiency, and produce confidence in students of all ages and abilities. Read more about Excel Math and its systematic spiraling process at excelmath.com.


To get your school year off to a smooth start, here are some tips from the experts.

Harry Wong (educational speaker who has taught middle school and high school science) from Mountain View, California, suggests teachers start school with a First Day of School script. He recalls, "One teacher began his year with fun activities and spent the rest of the school year chasing after his classes. His first day lacked structure, which led to his students structuring his classes for him." Read how one elementary school teacher began her year with a script and got off to a great start at http://teachers.net/wong/NOV11/

Here's an exceptional article from Michael Linsin about preparing for back to school and building rapport with your students by creating a classroom routine. On the first day with students he suggests:
"Send the message that you expect excellence in everything they do by showing your students how you expect them to enter the classroom in the morning. Make it highly detailed, demonstrating every precious step. This first routine, when taught with depth and precision, and then practiced successfully, paves the way for all other routines to be learned quickly and thereafter performed with excellence." 
Read more from Michael Linsin and check out his latest book at http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2013/08/10/the-first-day-of-school/

Another educator who has some proven suggestions for creating a back-to-school routine is Fred Jones. According to Dr. Jones:
"A classroom routine is one of a teacher's primary labor-saving devices." However, it takes lots of practice and preparation. Read more practical advice from Fred Jones at http://www.fredjones.com/rulesandroutines.html

To share your back-to-school routines and helpful hints, click on the word "Comment" below.

For more classroom management and back to school ideas, see our post from last year: Classroom Management from Day 1.

Click here to see samples.
You might also like these articles:

New to Excel Math? Preview elementary math lessons that really work for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade on our website: www.excelmath.com.

Download sample lessons from our new Common Core Teacher Edition at http://excelmath.com/downloads/state_stds.html

If you're from Texas, check out our correlations to the new TEKS at http://excelmath.com/downloads/state_stdsTX.html

Monday, August 12, 2013

Showers of Stars: Perseid Meteors

A meteor shower is a spike in the number of meteors or "shooting stars" that streak through the night sky.

During the nights of August 11 and 12, we will have a chance to see a spectacular meteor shower—the Perseids. In the dark of the night we will be able to see thousands of these brilliant falling stars.

At its best, under dark skies, you might see twenty or so “shooting stars” per hour. The Moon sets by late evening. The skyshow will continue until August 23 but will become less frequent starting August 13 and will drop to just five shower members per hour by the weekend of August 18. These meteors can be seen most clearly during the early morning hours of August 11 and 12. Astronomers are predicting 20-40 Perseid meteors an hour so grab a friend and check it out! But be sure to be patient, get comfortable, and watch as long as possible for the best show.

On Monday morning August 12, the maximum rates of shooting stars should be near 60 per hour for observers under dark and transparent skies. If your skies are hazy then perhaps 40 per hour may be visible. If viewing from urban skies then expect to see no more than 20 Perseids per hour. By the morning of August 13, rates will have fallen by 50% to near 30 per hour. By the 14th rates will be near 15 per hour and again falling by near 50% each night.

Read more about meteor showers on our August 2012 blog post: Catch a Falling Star: Meteor Showers 

In Excel Math, we help students develop higher-order thinking skills so they will have a love for math and want to be life-long learners. Former Excel Math students often mention that their Excel Math class was where they first developed a love for math. Watching the meteor shower this weekend with your family and friends (and reading a bit about it beforehand) is a just one fun way to help foster that love.

Traveling at tens of thousands of miles an hour, meteoroids quickly ignite from the searing friction with the atmosphere, 30 to 80 miles above the ground. Almost all are destroyed in this process; the rare few that survive and hit the ground are known as meteorites. Read more at http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors

According to Robert Lunsford:
While Perseid meteors can be seen all night long from most locations in the northern hemisphere, the radiant lies so low in the northern sky during the evening hours that only 3-5 meteors are visible per hour. If this is the only time you can watch it may be worth it as Perseids seen during the evening skim the upper atmosphere and are unusually long and long-lasting. If you can watch after midnight then I would suggest waiting until then as the Perseids will be far more numerous.
Read more at http://www.amsmeteors.org/2013/08/viewing-the-perseid-meteor-shower-in-2013/

Last year I stayed up past midnight to watch the meteor shower from our back yard. It was very cool. Have you ever seen a shooting star or meteor shower? Click on the word Comment to share your thoughts below.


You might also like these articles:

New to Excel Math? Preview elementary math lessons that really work for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade on our website: www.excelmath.com. Also find math resources for teachers, parents and students and download a sample packet at excelmath.com.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013


 On August 5 in 1861, Lincoln imposed the first federal income tax by signing the Revenue Act. Hard up for cash to fund the Civil War, Lincoln and Congress agreed to impose a 3 percent tax on annual incomes over $800.

As early as March 1861, Lincoln had begun to consider the federal government's ability to wage war against the South. He sent letters to cabinet members Edward Bates, Gideon Welles and Salmon Chase requesting their opinions as to whether or not the president had the constitutional authority to "collect [such] duties."

The Revenue Act's language was broadly written to define income as gain "derived from any kind of property, or from any professional trade, employment, or vocation carried on in the United States or elsewhere or from any source whatever." According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the comparable minimum taxable income in 2003, after adjustments for inflation, would have been approximately $16,000.

In Excel Math, students learn to add and subtract, use coins and dollars, compare costs, multiply and divide, and solve word problems involving money. The unique spiraling system built into Excel Math lessons helps children become confident math students.

Many former Excel Math students mention that they first began to develop a love for math during their elementary school years. With Excel Math lessons, students learn practical ways to apply mathematical concepts to their everyday lives.

Congress repealed Lincoln's tax law in 1871, but in 1909 passed the 16th Amendment, which states, "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration." Congress ratified the 16th Amendment in 1913. This amendment set in place the federal income-tax system used today. Read more . . . http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lincoln-imposes-first-federal-income-tax

Of course, many people would like to see our current tax system overhauled. You can take a look at the forms and regulations we have in place today at http://www.irs.gov. The IRS also offers tax tips each week on a variety of topics. Here's one for students with summer jobs: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Summer-Job-Tax-Information-for-Students

You can see how and where the government spends that money, broken down by department here: http://www.usaspending.gov/explore.

Federal Spending FY 2013

Choose Spending Types to view:
$262.4B
$458.9B
$754.1B
$150.5B
$-316.7M
$5.1B

You might also like these articles:

New to Excel Math? Preview elementary math lessons that really work for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade on our website: www.excelmath.com. Also find math resources for teachers, parents and students and download a sample packet at excelmath.com.