I am usually not an advocate of politically charged statistics without references but it is my understanding that this data isn't too far from the truth. The thing that makes this really nice though is that it is a really good example of data visualization and perception http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MBF3C, MDM4U, MAP4C
A few weeks ago TI announced the new iPad app for nSpire. At the time it wasn't available in Canada. That has changed. Now you can get it here in Canada and if you act now (by March 10th) you can get it for the special discounted rate of $4.99 (regular price is $29.99). So don't delay. Watch a video demo here.
This is a great site for real time Earthquake data. Put in your parameters and then it spits out a table with all the relevant data about earthquakes in your search parameters. You can then copy and paste the data into Excel or Fathom with only minimal massaging. Here is my Fathom file of the 2011-2012 earthquakes. http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/nndc/struts/form?t=101650&s=1&d=1
Curriculum Tags: MBF3C, MDM4U, MAP4C
Another fun source of data is Wolfram Alpha. For example you can, for example, get data about the popularity of your name. For example, here is the data on my first name, David. http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=david
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MBF3C, MDM4U, MAP4C
Here is a nice picture of a kids project that is a great representation of the amount of sugar in drinks. Its not perfect (eg the bags used are different sizes) but that could be a point of discussion. http://i.imgur.com/pzqfmru.jpg
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MBF3C, MDM4U
The Desmos online graphing tool has just got better. Now you can use a table feature to either create a scatter plot or show the table of values of a function. Even if you don't want to use the table feature, the fact that you can put multiple graphs on is a great feature. So you could create this cool Ironman graph using only functions and restrictions. That would be a neat assignment for a grade 11 functions class that would really show if they understand domain, range and restrictions (Maybe start with something simpler than Ironman though).
Tables examples: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/6jz8dtpxss
Ironman: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/sruf8wblll
Curriculum Tags: All
I like this simple resource for students to practice exponentials. It is just a matching activity but the kind of thing that would take a bit of time to create and low and behold, someone has created it and shared it. I love the internet. For the actual slides, follow this link. http://audrey-mcsquared.blogspot.ca/2013/01/activity-for-exponential-functions.html
Curriculum Tags: Curriculum Tags: MCR3U, MCF3M, MAP4C
Dan Meyer has had a post about his data from the previous year each year for the past few years. He keeps track of all kinds of metrics about himself on a daily basis. He has a challenge for you to do the same starting with your cellular habits. Though I like his favourite summary from 2009 (seen below). Its a great example of showing data that would be good for just about any class teaching single variable data management. I also love the "Behind the Scenes" post that talks about things like the technical aspects of creating the video and how much math went into the production:"Problem: you want the counter to read "0″ at 773 frames into the composition and "44651″ at 795 frames; Solution: a linear equation" http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=16032
Curriculum Tags: Gr7, Gr8, MBF3C, MDM4U
Vi Hart's latest symmetry installment. Sphereflakes continues on her journey dealing with symmetry and creating snowflakes. This time she does a great job of talking about symmetry by cutting through solids with planes. That part could even be used for some 3D plane discussions in Calculus & Vectors.
Curriculum TAGS: Gr7, Gr8, MCV4U
