Let’s Play Math!

This page contains all the pdf handouts from my workshops and math lessons which have been featured in various Let’s play math! blog posts. Feel free to download and print them for use in your own classroom, homeschool, or math club, as long as you leave the copyright information intact. As one of the founding fathers of mathematics is reported to have said:

I will be sufficiently rewarded if when telling it to others you will not claim the discovery as your own, but will say it was mine.

—Thales of Miletus (CA 600 BC)

I hope there is something here you will find useful.

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“Table of Contents” quicklinks

(Or you can just scroll down…)

• Twaddle-free math books and more
• Elementary math topics
• Math contest topics
• Mastering word problems
• Pre-algebra foundations
• The game of algebra

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Twaddle-free math books and more

Twaddle-free math resources (pdf 76KB)
This is the book list I hand out at my math workshops. Great ideas to supplement any math program.

For yet more wonderful books about math, please visit my Let’s play math! bookstore. I have nearly 200 books listed, and I will be adding more as I get the chance, so you’re bound to find something that’s just right for you. Feel free to use the store as a resource list for library trips — but if you find the perfect book that you just have to purchase, I would appreciate your using my link.

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Elementary math topics

Here are two more handouts from my math workshops.

Negative numbers for young students (pdf 65KB)
A colorful activity to teach negative numbers to elementary students, plus a bonus: my kids’ favorite math card game to play. Published 1/10/07.

Models for multiplication and fractions (pdf 58KB)
Simple, homemade card games to reinforce your students’ understanding of these important math topics. Published 4/12/07.

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Math contest topics

Most of our math contest preparation consists of working lots and lots of old test questions (see links in the 12/8/07 post). Occasionally, however, I put together a tip sheet to summarize a topic that my students have trouble remembering.

Things to know about triangles (pdf 64KB)
We started with some basic observations about the relationship between angles and sides in a triangle, then moved to equilateral triangles and the 30-60-90. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much space for the Pythagorean Theorem — I really need to make a new tip sheet on that! Page 2 covers some basics about hexagons, especially as they appear in Math Counts problems. Published 12/8/07.

Counting and probability basics (pdf 57KB)
Permutations, combinations, probability, odds — what’s the difference? This tip sheet gives you just the facts, with an absolute minimum of factorial notation. Mix with plenty of problems to solve, stir well, and discuss. Published 12/8/07.

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Mastering word problems

Let’s start off with the story problem challenge. These three handouts are designed to get your students’ creative juices flowing.

Story problem challenge (pdf 53KB)
Can you and your students make up some original math problems? Published 2/5/07.

Math problems by kids (pdf 62KB)
Original math problems written by my Math Club students. Published 2/5/07.

Story problem maker award (pdf 766KB)
A certificate of achievement to honor any student who makes up 3 or more original math problems.

The next handout is based on the first article I ever had published in a national homeschooling magazine, many long years ago.

The case of the mysterious story problem (pdf 70KB)
How to be a great math detective, finding the clues that will help you solve story problems. Published 2/26/07.

And these two handouts go together. Post them on the wall near wherever your students do math homework.

How to solve a tough problem (pdf 63KB)
A 4-step method for thinking your way through tough math problems. Published 10/9/07.

Problem solving toolbox (pdf 98KB)
A list of strategies for analyzing and solving math problems. Published 10/9/07.

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Pre-algebra foundations

Oops! This category is empty, because I haven’t used these in a blog post yet. I guess that gives you something to look forward to, right?

These will be some of the handouts from last year’s pre-algebra class at the homeschool co-op, whenever I find the time to polish them up and publish.

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The game of algebra

My pre-algebra class hit the topic of equations just as the NFL season moved into the playoffs. The result was this series of class notes called “The Game of Algebra.” We used the Singapore Math NEM 1 textbook, which is full of example problems and quality exercises. These notes simply introduce or review the main concepts and vocabulary in a less-textbooky way.

My blog post of 1/20/2008 highlights an outline or excerpt from each page:

The algebraic term (pdf 75KB)

Substitution (pdf 60KB)

The Distributive Law (pdf 80KB)

The Balance Rule (pdf 60KB)

Solving equations (pdf 54KB)

Using a formula (pdf 42KB)

Algebra quiz (pdf 30KB)

Algebra story problems (pdf 72KB)

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Have you and your students enjoyed a project, game, or handout from my blog? If you would like to say “Thank you,” you can buy me a cup of coffee (send a small donation) via Paypal or make a purchase at the Let’s Play Math! Bookstore.