Here’s some fun to brighten your summer days! NCTM has a nice resource page for teachers and students full of website links and paper/pencil activities. You can find the site titled “Let the Summer Games Begin!!!” And these resources are not just for the summer. I’ve already planned to use some of them during the upcoming school year to teach thinking skills – you just can’t get enough motivating, engaging activities!

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Kids read in English class – now they can read about a real-life mathematics story too! Here’s a book about a young girl that:

• Has happy discoveries about math
• Is full of math ideas that kids will appreciate
• We all would like to know as a friend
• Shows mathematical passion and excellence

In Code describes the journey Sarah Flannery took from the kitchen of her home, through prime numbers and cryptography, culminating in worldwide headlines and recognition as Ireland’s 1999 Young Scientist of the Year.

Sarah’s book can easily be enjoyed by those who don’t like math at all It is also inspiring and a treasure to those who love the problem-solving obsession mathematics provides.

She is credited with discovery and presentation of the Cayley-Purser algorithm, an innovative encryption system roughly 22 times faster than the worldwide standard RSA public-key algorithm.

The blackboard in the dining room of her home would be used for discussion of puzzles with her mathematician father David. There are several that teachers can use with their students. Teachers have the opportunity in class to take the place of her father by presenting grade-level appropriate puzzles to their students, thus encouraging mathematical exploration and the thrill of discovery.

Look here for another view of Sarah and a wonderful website Plus Maths:

And a “thank you” goes to my fellow teacher and friend, Glenn Hoxie, for reminding me what a great read this book is.

- Mr. L

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