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Aunty Math, for students and their teachers, is a terrific site that emphasizes problem-solving strategies listed in the NCTM's Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (1989). The site is designed for children; the layout is easy to use, and the graphics are inviting. Aunty Math's problems, called "challenges," are set in stories about Aunty Math's nephews and niece. The real Aunty Math behind the Web site is an experienced, awardwinning teacher who is very involved in mathematics education.
Address: www.dcmrats.org/ AuntyMath.html
What students will find:
1. A new biweekly "challenge" that can be solved with various methods. The problems are complex and take analysis and thought. Aunty Math "talks" about her niece and nephews and the problem-solving strategies that each favors.
Tips are given to help solve the current challenge.
Past challenges can be reviewed.
Methods for submitting solutions and viewing the solutions of other students are given.
Parents, teachers, and students can also do the following:
1. Learn about Aunty Math
2. Find out about the mathematics behind the challenges
3. See tips and extensions based on the challenges
4. View past challenges
5. Write to Aunty Math. A he program that I use to reinforce arithmetic, language arts, and social
studies skills is also the primary behavior-management program in my third-grade class. It could easily be adapted for use in secondthrough sixth-grade classes.
The program starts at the beginning of the year when we discuss the students' basic knowledge of earning and saving money. We then discuss ways to access and use earned money, such as ATMs, savings accounts, charge cards, and checking accounts. We discuss how these things work and their pros and cons. I then explain that each student will open a classroom checking account in which only checks can be used, not cash, although cash could easily be integrated into the program. I teach students how to write a check and how to deposit checks. They practice with different fictional scenarios, for example, "I need to pay Dr. Smith $57.25 for my last visit." We then travel to a local bank to take a tour, get checking-account information, and have our questions answered. When students have practiced the process, they get their own personalized checks, check register, and...