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Thinking Blocks: Model math word problems with virtual mantipulatives

What it is:  Thinking Blocks is a great find by @matthewquigley who was nice enough to share his find and let me take the credit (I may have made up that last part…).  Thinking Blocks lets students model and solve math word problems by using online virtual blocks to visualize the problems in new ways.  Thinking Blocks includes blocks to model addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, and ratios.  On the Modeling Tools tab, students will find modeling tool videos on addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, ratios, decimals and percents, and algebra.  These thinking blocks were developed by Colleen King as she worked to help her students in their Singapore Math program.  While the concept of modeling word problems with the blocks is most closely associated with Singapore Math curriculum, it can be used to support any math program and is especially helpful to use with visual learners.  Students can use virtual blocks to model known and unknown quantities.  By modeling in this way, students are better prepared for moving from arithmetic to algebraic thinking because they learn how to break complex problems into their simplest form.   The activities on the Thinking Block website includes guided and independent practice opportunities.  The tutorials can be used for guided instruction.  Videos show worked examples from each section (addition, multiplication, division, fractions and ratios.  Progress tracking is built-in (currently this is only per session but the site notes that sometime in September this should be included for multiple sessions).  The Modeling Tool lends itself to independent practice.  Students can choose from hundreds of built-in word problems or enter their own.  Dynamically generated models let students check their own work.  A full screen option is included for use on interactive whiteboards. How to integrate Thinking Blocks into the classroom:  Thinking Blocks is a wonderful website for exploring and demonstrating understanding of word problems.  Visual students will be keen on the ability to visualize math in this way, using the virtual blocks to represent word problems.  Because Thinking Blocks addresses so many different math disciplines, it is a great way to differentiate instruction for students at a variety of levels. Thinking Blocks can be used with the whole class using an interactive whiteboard or projector-connected computer.  Students can take turns working out word problems on the whiteboard while students at their seats work to arrive at a common solution.  Students at the board can “phone a friend” if they need a little extra help or guidance. Thinking Blocks would make a fantastic center activity on classroom computers.  Students could visit the center to practice some word problems and record a reflection about how the blocks enabled them to visualize the problem differently. Be sure to bookmark Thinking Blocks on school computers and let parents know to bookmark the site at home.  I suspect this site could be a life saver for MANY students (I would have been one of them!) Tips: You can adjust the difficulty of each model by adjusting the numbers addressed before students begin an activity. Please leave a comment and share how you are using Thinking Blocks in  your classroom!

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Kerpoof: Update

Posted by admin | Posted in Art, Fun & Games, Language Arts, Primary Elementary, Science, Secondary Elementary, Teacher Resources, web tools, Websites | Posted on 29-01-2010

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

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kerpoof

What it is: Kerpoof is one of my favorite creation tools for elementary students, it allows them to draw, create pictures, cards, books, and even movies.  My original post about Kerpoof can be found here. Kerpoof has added some new features that make it worthy of another post.  Students can now save their pictures, cards, stories and drawings locally (on their computers).  On each canvas is a JPEG icon that will allow any picture to be saved to the computer locally.  They are working on making it possible to download the movies locally soon.   Kerpoof also introduced info bubbles.  In the Make a Picture object library, students can drag out a picture onto the canvas.  Now there is a new question mark button that shows up on an object.  When students click on the question mark, a little bubble of information pops up.  Students will gain all kinds of information from these little fact bubbles.  They can learn everything from: who wrote Treasure Island, to learning the national animal of Australia.


How to integrate Kerpoof into the classroom: Kerpoof is an outstanding creativity program for the classroom.  With there education accounts and these new features, it is even more useful in the classroom setting.  Now that students can save their pictures created on Kerpoof locally, they can use their Kerpoof creations in new ways.  Upload the saved JPEG to the class website, blog, or wiki, or add illustrations to a word processing program.

Use the new information bubbles to start a Kerpoof scavenger hunt.  Ask students specific questions ahead of time or instruct students to research broader topics like “dinosaurs” or “Mexico”.  After students have found answers to their assigned questions, they can do more in-depth research using library or Internet resources.  After research is completed, students can come back to Kerpoof to create a picture, story, essay, or movie including information that they learned.


Tips: Be sure to check out Kerpoof’s lesson plans, they have just added a new lesson called “Programming Wizards” designed to teach students about how computers work and how to build, design, and test a program.  Very cool.


Leave a comment and share how you are using Kerpoof  in your classroom.

Comments (9)

Jonathan Wylie said on 29-01-2010

A useful update. Saving creations will save a lot of hassle and give teachers more flexibility. Thanks for the heads up.
Alice said on 30-01-2010

Thanks for the post about this site. I found it at the end of last year but hadn’t used it with students yet. Of course with all that’s out there it’s easy to “lose” a good site even if it is bookmarked! Now it’s back on my radar.
Kim G said on 30-01-2010

Students love Kerpoof and saving locally helps extend in-class application. Info bubbles allow students to have fun and be creative while applying and sharing their research.
Shelly Terrell said on 31-01-2010

Thank you for keeping us posted on the updates. The kiddos in the classroom will love playing with this!
MZimmer557 said on 31-01-2010

Interesting site. Do you think it has many applications for the middle or high school classroom?
Judith said on 31-01-2010

What a great tool for the kids to use. Very engaging and the education accounts make it that bit safer. Thanks for sharing.
Tweets that mention iLearn Technology » Blog Archive » Kerpoof: Update -- Topsy.com said on 31-01-2010

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shelly S Terrell, Monte Tatom and Carrie Schneider, Rosa Esteve. Rosa Esteve said: Kerpoof: Update http://bit.ly/d7gM84 via @AddToAny [...]
admin said on 01-02-2010

I think that middle schoolers and high school students would appreciate the movie making portion of Kerpoof to make animations. This might be a fun way to “show what they know”.
admin said on 01-02-2010

I have that same problem! There are so many amazing sites out there it is hard to keep track of, and find time, to use them all.

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