We used laptop computers in math class today to check out a couple of websites. The first is a site called Quia, which allows me to create activities with custom content based upon what we’re studying. The URL is http://www.quia.com/mathrocks. To get a feel for the site, I’ve created two activities for the students to try - one is based upon the Battleship game while the other is good old-fashioned Hangman. We’ll use this site more going forward, and there will be times when the students will have work on the site for their homework. (Please let me know if this might be a problem for anyone so that we can find an alternative solution if needed.)

The second website is called iXL and is a web-based math practice site that has skills and concepts grouped by grade level through fifth grade. The URL is http://www.ixl.com. This is a good site for practicing basic facts and skills.

The students received usernames and passwords for these two sites during our math class today, and this information is written in their math notebooks. They had a terrific time working through some of the activities today and are looking forward to more web-based practice in the future.