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Recent Newsletter Articles
Citizenship News – Civics
This site offers a collection of links to free citizenship test prep materials. (The author also has her own citizenship class textbooks for sale.) The "News" page tracks changes to the N-400 citizenship application form and USCIS administration of the test. Read More
WisTech Open
Building on more than 20 years of high-quality digital learning materials, WisTech Open brings together popular Wisc-Online learning objects—such as assessments, animations, and interactive tools—alongside new resources that support learning across subject areas. The free platform can be used in the classroom or for independent learning by students, educators, and lifelong learners. Read More
La Bonte’s Top 100 English Conversation Patterns
A free, 40-hour self-directed YouTube tutorial with scaffolded video lesson plans to help high beginners develop English conversation skills, emphasizing common conversation patterns. Each hour progressively introduces new patterns, and the author offers free PDF books of these teaching strategies on their website. Read More
Number Lines and the Coordinate Grid, Part 2 – Data
In these materials, students will learn how to (1) plot points and interpret points on the coordinate grid; (2) draw lines and shapes on the coordinate grid; and (3) make sense of data on the coordinate grid (including scatter plots) and correlation. NOTE: There is a "Number Lines and the Coordinate Grid, Part 1" that helps students get comfortable with number lines. Read More
Number Lines and the Coordinate Grid, Part 2
In these materials, students will learn how to (1) plot points and interpret points on the coordinate grid; (2) draw lines and shapes on the coordinate grid; and (3) make sense of data on the coordinate grid (including scatter plots) and correlation. NOTE: There is a "Number Lines and the Coordinate Grid, Part 1" that helps students get comfortable with number lines. Read More
Number Lines and the Coordinate Grid, Part 1 – Integers
Every number can be thought of as a point on the number line. Because of this, number lines are important for all kinds of mathematics - they are used in algebra, geometry, statistics, and many other kinds of mathematics. In Part 1, students study (1) plotting points on a number line, including fractions, decimals, and signed numbers; (2) measurement and distance on a number line; and (3) absolute value. For teachers wishing to build on number line concepts to connect to the coordinate grid, there is a Part 2 for these materials. Read More
Number Lines and the Coordinate Grid, Part 1
Every number can be thought of as a point on the number line. Because of this, number lines are important for all kinds of mathematics - they are used in algebra, geometry, statistics, and many other kinds of mathematics. In Part 1, students study (1) plotting points on a number line, including fractions, decimals, and signed numbers; (2) measurement and distance on a number line; and (3) absolute value. For teachers wishing to build on number line concepts to connect to the coordinate grid, there is a Part 2 for these materials. Read More
Tools of Algebra: Expressions, Equations, & Inequalities, Part 1 – Functions
Teachers can use these materials to help students develop algebraic reasoning and learn how to use algebra as a tool in problem-solving. Students also learn about mathematical symbols and how they are used. Part 1 focuses on (1) mathematical equality; (2) how to evaluate equations and expressions and solve equations using visual models like area models, hanger diagrams, and balance scales; (3) the distributive property of multiplication and the order of operations; and (4) how to write equations to describe real-life situations. Read More
The Power of Exponents, Part 2
In these materials, students learn about exponents and roots as well as how to break numbers down and examine how they work. Part 2 focuses on (1) place value, powers of ten, and scientific notation; (2) powers of two and exponential growth; (3) variables and exponents; and (4) operations with exponents (multiplication, division, and raising a power to a power). Read More
The Power of Exponents, Part 1 – Introductory
In these materials, students learn about exponents and roots as well as how to break numbers down and examine how they work. Topics in part 1 include: (1) multiplication, including factors, multiples, and arrays; (2) characteristics of numbers, including factors, prime factorization, and finding common factors between numbers; (3) an introduction to exponents, square roots and cube roots, with connections to geometry; and (4) what it means when an exponent is 1 or less (fractional exponents, to the power of zero, and negative exponents). Read More