Category Archives: teaching

An exploration of forward differences for bored elementary school students

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Brent

Last week I made a mathematics worksheet for my 8-year-old son, whose school is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. I’m republishing it here so others can use it for similar purposes. Figurate numbers and forward differences There are lots … Continue reading →

Posted in arithmetic, teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Order of operations considered harmful

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Brent

[The title is a half-joking reference to Edsger Dijkstra’s classic paper, Go To Statement Considered Harmful; see here for more context.] Everyone is probably familiar with the so-called “order of operations”, which is a collection of rules that reflect conventions … Continue reading →

Posted in arithmetic, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Games with factorization diagram cards

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Brent

Since I published a deck of factorization diagram cards last September, a few teachers have picked up copies of the cards and started using them with their students. I’ve started collecting ideas for games you can play using the cards, … Continue reading →

Posted in arithmetic, counting, games, pattern, pictures, primes, teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Factorization diagram cards are here!

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Brent

It’s been a long process, but factorization diagram cards are finally available for purchase! If you just want to purchase a set right this minute, then click the above link! If you want to learn more, keep reading. History As … Continue reading →

Posted in arithmetic, counting, pattern, pictures, primes, teaching | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Factorization diagram card redesign: feedback welcome!

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Brent

After getting a printed set of factorization diagram cards, I decided there were a few design tweaks I wanted to make. I’ve gone through a few iterations and I think they are definitely better now. Here are some representative samples … Continue reading →

Posted in arithmetic, counting, pattern, pictures, primes, teaching | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Factorization diagram cards!

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Brent

I’ve designed a set of factorization diagram cards and had them actually printed. This is one of the first times in my life when I have caused Actual Physical Objects to be created (other than using a printer I guess) … Continue reading →

Posted in arithmetic, counting, pattern, pictures, primes, teaching, video | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Tiny Polka Dot

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Brent

I’m really excited about Tiny Polka Dot, a Kickstarter project producing a deck of colorful, mathy cards especially for young children—along with a list of games to play with the cards. I have a four-year-old and I’m sure he is … Continue reading →

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Book review: Lauren Ipsum

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Brent

Lauren Ipsumstory by Carlos Bueno; illustrations by Ytaelena López I don’t quite remember how I first stumbled across the website for this little gem of a book, billing itself as “a story about computer science and other improbable things”. But … Continue reading →

Posted in books, computation, review, teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Introduction to Mathematical Thinking

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Brent

Keith Devlin is going to be offering another instance of his online course, Introduction to Mathematical Thinking, starting on March 4. The idea is to serve as a bridge between high school mathematics— which focuses on solving specific types of … Continue reading →

Posted in links, teaching | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Introduction to Mathematical Thinking with Keith Devlin

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Brent

I just learned from Denise at Let’s Play Math! that Keith Devlin is going to be teaching a course on Coursera called Introduction to Mathematical Thinking. It’s free and open to anyone with only a background in high school math. … Continue reading →

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