Great Interactive Math Tools: Just a Click Away

Looking for a great math site with tons of engaging activities? You owe it to your students to visit Johnnie's Math Page. Many websites offer math activities for children, but most lack math content. The links Johnnie has chosen are interesting and engaging. The layout makes it easy to find fun and interactive math games, and even a little homework help. Johnnie has conveniently organized math activities from across the web by topic. For parents and teachers, there are worksheets, as well as links to other math teaching resources.

I first became aware of the site while teaching intersession about six months ago, and sharing my SMART interactive whiteboard with a first grade teacher. Being a sixth grade teacher myself, I wondered whether or not the games would seem too juvenile for my more "sophisticated" students. I was pleasantly surprised to find many math activities perfectly suitable and extremely fun for even my most discerning brainiac. Now, my SMART board serves up great math activities to enrich my high-performing students, and remediate my struggling learners.

It's one thing to play a math game on a computer - it's just you and a mouse. But toss in the big screen of an interactive whiteboard, the audience watching, and the fact that you're standing there in front of it - it takes math gaming to a whole new level, both for the player, and the rest of the class watching. Choose from games ranging from numbers, geometry, fractions, multiplications, measurement, statistics, and probability.

Originally created in 2005, Johnnie Wilson created the site to support his math coaching work for teachers in Pajaro Valley Unified School District in California. He is presently working as a Math Curriculum Coordinator at an international school in Europe. Contact Johnnie (johnnie@jmathpage.com) if you have any suggestions for new sites, as he is always trying to make it more user friendly and comprehensive.

Thanks, Johnnie, for bringing the best of the online math games together in one, well organized website. Great fun! Keep it up!

Can Your Globe Talk?

Have you ever laughed at someone (or yourself) for not knowing the location of a particular country? Sadly, geography skills among school children in the U.S. are no laughing matter. That's why I was particularly interested in reviewing the GeoSafari Talking Globe by Educational Insights. Assembly was quick and easy. Once assembled, the globe spins freely and the entire unit feels very sturdy.

In the base of the globe is an interactive geography quiz game with dazzling lights and sound effects to guide and reward young learners. One to four players choose quiz categories (USA/ Canada, World, All) and answer response times. It's an effective teaching globe, as well as a fun quiz machine. Clear speech, fun sounds, and international music add entertainment and educational value.

The Talking Globe features a 12-inch geopolitical globe, automatic scoring, adjustable volume, question repeat, help button and jacks for optional AC adapter and headphones (not included). Measures 14" x 14.2" x 18.9". Four size C batteries may be used instead of the AC adapter. It comes with a one year manufacturers warranty. The globe lists at $124.65, but I've seen it for as low as $95.05 at Amazon.

Pros: The GeoSafari Talking Globe has a seemingly endless number of geographical questions to maintain students' interest. There are over 10,000 questions for third-graders and up. Question repeat is helpful, especially when hearing the name of a country for the first time. The option for AC or battery power offers flexibility and portability. Assembly couldn't be easier: just one spring and nut to screw the base to the frame and globe. No tools required. The entire unit is durable.

Cons: On occasion, the voice sounds unclear. This is likely due to the fact that some locations are unfamiliar to the average learner. The Talking Globe is not upgradable. As political boundaries change, a USB port would allow for expansion with a PC. Also, a "hint" button would give the learner a much-appreciated clue, such as, which continent or body of water to begin searching when faced with a particularly difficult question.

Overall impression: If you are a teacher or parent who wants to increase your young learners' knowledge of Earth's geographical names in a fun and interactive way, consider GeoSafari Talking Globe by Educational Insights. If you balk at the hundred dollar price tag, consider that even a decent classroom globe is over $50. That's more than half way towards a globe that can play games and talk! In today's media-rich age, doesn't a talking globe sound far more engaging than one that just spins?