Final Post of the Annotated Bibliography

My content area is Algebra, I will be teaching a unit on Linear Equations to 9th grade students.

To supplement and enrich this unit, I will be incorporating the following trade books:

1. Bill Handley (2003). Speed Mathematics: Secret Skills for Quick Calculation. New Jersey: Wiley

http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Mathematics-Secrets-Calculation-ebook/dp/B0014EFSP8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1335130103&sr=8-3

2. Dr. Richard Elwes ( 2010 ). Mathematics 1001: Absolutely Everything That Matters In Mathematics In 1001 Bite-Sized Explanations. New York: Firefly Books

http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-1001-Absolutely-Everything-Explanations/dp/1554077192/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1335137523&sr=1-1-catcorr

3. Benjamin, A & Shermer, M ( 2006 ). Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks. New York: Three Rivers Press
http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Mental-Math-Mathemagicians-Calculation/dp/0307338401/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335137695&sr=1-1

        This class is composed of 9^th grade regular students in my school. The text used in this class is Algebra 1 by Glencoe. The text has an abstract examples and explanations of topic and skills. For this reason, the incorporation of trade books and interesting websites into the course offers an opportunity to reinforce the content area in a more simple way and interesting on the part of the students and this is more helpful and beneficial on the average learners.

         

1.      SPEED MATHEMATICS: Secret Skills for Quick Calculations

      This book is a compilation of different techniques and strategies on how to solve mathematical problems in a easy way. Using this book you will really learn the strategies and principles behind in solving mathematical problems and you will be genuinely motivated. This book introduces quick methods of mental calculations using multiplication, division, subtraction and addition.

      I will use this book to help the students in solving problems in an easy way. Using the simple strategies that will enable them to understand the principle behind on what they are doing that will encourage them to solve linear equations in a real world context.

2.      MATHEMATICS 1001: Absolutely Everything That Matters In Mathematics In 1001 Bite-Sized Explanations

       This book contains a variety of mathematical concepts with a clear and concise explanations presented in each topic. Distilled into 1001 bite-sized mini-essays and arranged thematically, this unique reference book moves steadily from the basics through to the most advanced of ideas, making it ideal guide for both the novices and math enthusiasts. Concluding with an entertaining chapter on mathematical games- from sports contests to Sudoku.

      The chapter of this book that can be used to supplement the lesson on linear equation is the Algebra chapter, it has a unique method on solving linear equation that is very helpful and useful in helping the students who have difficulties in solving linear equations.

3.      Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks

      This book is a very interesting and challenging book that everyone would love to have. The author shares his techniques for lightning-quick calculations and amazing number tricks. This book will teach you how to do math in your head faster and useful techniques for making math fun.

     This can be used to generate students’ interest in Math and to serve as a good review of the Mathematical concepts and skills that the students need to master in order to help them solve real world problem applications.

In addition to these three trade books, I am including two relevant and useful websites that will help and guide the students in solving linear equations in Algebra.

1.      http://www.mathwarehouse.com/

     This is an interactive Math website that students can participate and manipulate during the presentation of every lesson. It also offers Math games that would be very interesting for the students and to the teacher. Students can also explore related links that will supplement and enrich the lesson that they are taking.

      The portion of this website that I will be using to supplement the lesson is the interactive activity for solving linear equations and the printable material that will enable them to solve independently after we walk through all the steps presented in this website.

2.      http://mathplaygound.com/

This website is loaded with fun and challenging online Math games, Math videos, Math problems and logic puzzles. And the portions of this website that I utilized most in teaching are the Math videos and online sample Algebra word problems. For the Math videos it really helps the students understand the topic that we’re discussing in class for it gives a step by step process that is really understandable on the part of the students. And the sample Algebra word problems serves as a review on the topics that were recently discussed in class.

Inquiry Project Question #3

President Barack Obama speaks at the announcement of the "Change the Equation" initiative in the South Court Auditorium of the White House. The initiative seeks to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to better prepare students to lead in the 21st century economy. September 16, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

STEM EDUCATION: Why is STEM EDUCATION Important to US Competitiveness?

Being known as the world’s most powerful and most competitive among nations, STEM education is very important for maintaining American leadership and successfully competing with the rapidly growing economies of Asia. As found in the recent report,  “  Rising Tigers,  Sleeping Giant, “  Asian nations like China, South Korea, and Japan are launching massive government investment projects to dominate the clean-tech sector, which promises to be one of the largest new growth sectors of the next few decades.

In order to catch up, the United States will need a national clean-tech education strategy as what the Obama Administration’s RE-ENERGYSE was step in the right direction. And in order to maintain America’s competitiveness, we really need to educate students today especially in math, science, technology, and engineering.