Big Mac Math

Looking for something to spice up your math lesson plan?  Mathlicious.com has some interesting, real-world math activities that could easily be integrated into a variety of curricular areas.  If you are teaching a Foods and Nutrition class, you might want to take a look at this math lesson that has students determine how long it would take celebrities in differing weight categories to burn off items like a McDonald's Big Mac, while performing different physical activities.  All the lessons I perused dealt with topics that would apply to teens, texting while driving, relationships, movies, sports statistics, all while pulling in a variety of math concepts.

Adapted Materials

This posting isn't really about technology, although it is something you will have to access using a computer. It's really more about inclusion.  I've been searching for materials to assist teachers in finding materials that are at a modified or adapted level for students working here at the high school. We want all students to be included in classrooms, even if the materials they are working on suit their individual needs.  I'm not sure when I came across www.teacherspayteachers.com, but it is a fabulous resource for finding free materials to use with students in class.  I've come across some really good math materials for students who need more experience with applying practical math in everyday situations.  My search could have taken hours, but searching this website is so efficient because of the search parameters that you can set up. Check out this website for some great free digital resources!

Storytelling with Maps

Storytelling with Maps is a great online, interactive resource on a variety of topics.  This resource came to me through an email from TCEA a Texas-based technology organization.  I've become aware of some great tech resources by adding myself to their email list.
Storytelling with maps allows you to browse through story maps that have been created by other individuals as well as choose from a selection of templates to create your own story map.
If you are interested in teaching students how to make statistics come alive and relevant using storytelling with maps, here is a 'white paper' that explains what the website is all about:
http://storymaps.esri.com/downloads/Telling%20Stories%20with%20Maps.pdf

To peruse the collection of story maps that have already been created, visit: http://storymaps.esri.com/home/