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What it is: Free online graphing calculator and interactive math activities platform with built-in scaffolding and differentiation features.

How to use it:

Assign activities matched to student readiness levels

Use Teacher Dashboard to monitor real-time student work

Provide hints and supports for struggling learners

Challenge advanced students with extension questions

How it extends learning: Students work at their own pace with immediate feedback. Advanced learners explore deeper concepts while struggling students receive targeted support through scaffolded activities. The platform adapts to show student thinking in real-time, allowing teachers to provide just-in-time interventions.

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Desmos offers best-in-class calculators, digital math activities, and curriculum to help every student love math and love learning math.

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What it is: Gamified assessment and practice platform that allows teachers to create or assign differentiated quizzes with adaptive features, power-ups, and immediate feedback.

How to use it:

Create or assign pre-made quizzes with questions at varying difficulty levels

Use "Adaptive" mode where questions adjust based on student responses

Assign different versions of quizzes to different student groups based on readiness

Enable "Redemption Questions" so students can retry missed problems

Use as formative assessment to guide differentiated instruction

Monitor real-time data to identify which students need intervention or enrichment

How it extends learning: This platform automatically adjusts difficulty of questions based on student performance. Students who answer correctly receive more complex problems, while those struggling get additional practice at their current level with immediate explanatory feedback. It includes memes, music and leaderboards, which increase engagement. It can also be assigned as homework and the self-paced format allows students to work at their own speed. Teachers can differentiate by assigning different quiz versions or using the platform's built-in analytics to create flexible groupings for targeted instruction, ensuring all students master curriculum at their readiness level.

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Wayground - The world's most engaging learning platform

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Find and create gamified quizzes, lessons, presentations, and flashcards for students, employees, and everyone else. Get started for free!

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What it is: Free personalized learning platform offering video lessons, practice exercises, and mastery-based progression across all math topics.

How to use it:

Create a class and assign specific skills or courses

Students can work on the program from home

Assign enrichment topics beyond 8th grade (Algebra I, Geometry)

Monitor student progress through the teacher dashboard

Award badges and points for motivation

How it extends learning: Advanced students can explore topics beyond the 8th-grade curriculum, including high school mathematics. All students gain access to unlimited practice with instant feedback and step-by-step hints. The mastery-based system ensures students build strong foundations before moving forward, while the extensive video library provides multiple explanations of concepts.

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What it is: Collection of challenging math problems designed with constraints that require higher-order thinking and multiple solution pathways.

How to use it:

Assign as extension activities for students who finish early

Facilitate whole-class problem-solving discussions

Encourage students to find multiple solutions

Display student strategies and compare approaches

How it extends learning: These problems push students beyond procedural fluency into conceptual understanding and strategic thinking. Students must test multiple approaches, justify their reasoning, and engage in productive struggle. Perfect for enrichment because there's no ceiling—students can always find another solution or more efficient strategy, making the problems accessible yet challenging for all levels.

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Home

CHALLENGING MATH PROBLEMS WORTH SOLVING

DOWNLOAD OUR FAVORITE PROBLEMS FROM EVERY GRADE LEVEL

WANT GOOGLE SLIDE VERSIONS OF ALL PROBLEMS?

HERE'S OUR GROWING COLLECTION

WANT TO SHARE OPEN MIDDLE WITH OTHERS?

CHECK OUT THESE FREE WEBINARS TO HELP TEACHERS RETHINK CLASSWORK

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CHALLENGING MATH PROBLEMS WORTH SOLVING DOWNLOAD OUR FAVORITE PROBLEMS FROM EVERY GRADE LEVEL Get Our Favorite Problems Take The Online Workshop WANT GOOGLE SLIDE VERSIONS OF ALL PROBLEMS? HERE’S OUR GROWING COLLECTION Get Google Slide Versions WANT TO SHARE OPEN MIDDLE WITH OTHERS? CHECK OUT THESE FREE WEBINARS TO HELP TEACHERS RETHINK CLASSWORK Elementary Version

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What it is: Digital collaborative bulletin board where students can post text, images, links, and videos, then respond to peers' responses.

How to use it:

Create a Padlet for problem-solving tasks

Students post their solution strategies with explanations

Encourage peer feedback and questions

How it extends learning: Students take ownership of their learning by choosing what to share and how to explain their thinking. Seeing multiple solution pathways from peers deepens understanding and exposes students to diverse strategies.

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What it is: Video discussion tool where students record short video responses explaining their thinking, then watch and respond to classmates.

How to use it:

Have students record explanations of their solution strategies

Create peer critique assignments where students analyze classmate reasoning

Great for students who prefer verbal over written explanations

How it extends learning: Recording video responses builds mathematical communication skills and confidence. Students must articulate their reasoning clearly, which deepens conceptual understanding. Watching peer videos exposes students to diverse problem-solving strategies and promotes self-directed learning through reflection and response at their own pace. This format particularly supports students who struggle with written expression.

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Flipgrid App 🖥️ Download Flipgrid for Free for PC: Install on Windows 10 & Mac

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Learn with the amazing Flipgrid app 🖥️ Download Flipgrid app for Windows PC and Mac 🟠 Enjoy a user-friendly interface for working with your students 🟠 Join our community

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What it is: Stanford University platform providing engaging, visual math tasks, growth mindset resources, and multilingual materials promoting mathematical confidence for all learners.

How to use it:

Access "Week of Inspirational Math" activities

Implement visual math tasks that reduce language barriers

Share "What is Mathematical Beauty?" resources with students

How it extends learning: Tasks feature diverse contexts and visual representations that make mathematics accessible regardless of language or cultural background. The growth mindset emphasis helps students from all backgrounds see themselves as capable mathematicians. Multilingual resources support English Learners and engage families in the learning process, extending practice beyond the classroom.

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At youcubed, we inspire, educate and empower teachers of mathematics, transforming the latest research on mathematics learning into accessible and practical forms.

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Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance)

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Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance)

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What it is: Free platform offering lesson plans and resources that integrate mathematics with social justice issues, helping students see diverse perspectives and real-world applications.

How to use it:

Find math lessons addressing social issues (economic inequality, environmental justice)

Use statistical data from diverse communities for graphing units

Integrate civil rights history with data analysis

Discuss how math can be used to understand and address inequity

How it extends learning: Students see themselves and their communities represented in math problems, increasing engagement and relevance. Problems grounded in social justice help students understand mathematics as a tool for analyzing and addressing real-world issues. This approach validates diverse student experiences while building critical thinking skills and demonstrating how math applies to issues that matter to them.

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Learning for Justice is a community education program of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) that centers civic and political action education for everyone.

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What it is: Free interactive science and math simulations from University of Colorado Boulder that make abstract concepts visual and concrete.

How to use it:

Use graphing simulations during functions unit

Explore "Equation Grapher" for linear and nonlinear functions

Connect geometry transformations with physics concepts

Analyze data from science simulations (motion, energy, forces)

Have students create graphs from simulation data

How it extends learning: Students apply mathematical concepts to scientific contexts, seeing how functions, graphing, and data analysis are essential to understanding the physical world. Abstract algebraic concepts become concrete through interactive simulations. This integration shows students that math is a tool used across disciplines, making it more relevant and meaningful while reinforcing both math and science standards.

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Over 1.1 billion simulations delivered

160interactive simulations

97language translations

3001teacher-submitted lessons

Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

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Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

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What it is: Interactive 3D globe providing geographic, historical, and cultural information with built-in measurement and analysis tools.

How to use it:

Calculate distances using the measurement tool (scale, proportions)

Explore coordinate geometry by locating landmarks

Analyze population density through geographic data

Compare areas of different countries or regions

Study geometric patterns in architecture across cultures

How it extends learning: Students apply mathematical concepts to real-world geographic contexts. Calculating actual distances reinforces proportional reasoning and scale. Coordinate geometry becomes meaningful when locating real places. This cross-curricular approach makes math authentic and shows how it's used to understand our world.

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Aw snap! Google Earth isn't supported on your browser. You may need to update your browser or use a different browser. Please see our system requirements for more information. Chrome is a great choice and you can download it here.

Or if you're feeling adventurous, you can try Earth anyway by choosing an option below.

Learn more about Google Earth.

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Aw snap! Google Earth isn't supported on your browser. You may need to update your browser or use a different browser. Please see our system requirements for more information. Chrome is a great choice and you can download it here. Or if you're feeling adventurous, you can try Earth anyway by choosing an option below.

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What it is: Free K-12 SEL program built around four character values: Courage, Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Compassion in Action. Includes lesson plans, videos, and activities.

How to use it:

Integrate character education themes into math lessons (courage to try difficult problems)

Use gratitude practices to celebrate math growth and peer support

Teach students to forgive themselves for mistakes and learn from errors

How it extends learning: By explicitly teaching character values in the context of mathematics, students learn that math class is a safe place to take risks and make mistakes. Gratitude practices help students recognize their own growth and appreciate diverse problem-solving strategies from peers. The courage component encourages students to attempt challenging problems they might otherwise avoid, extending their willingness to engage with rigorous curriculum. Compassion builds a collaborative classroom culture where students support each other's learning.

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Choose Love programs include Growth Mindset, Neuroscience, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Post-Traumatic Growth, Emotional Intelligence, and more for a solution that is both preventative and proactive. Choose Love is aligned with the new Character and Social Emotional Development Standards (CSED) which include BOTH Character.org and CASEL.

We can make our world better by Choosing Love.

Learn More

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Choose Love Movement - Promoting Hope, Healing & Connection

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We create safer and more loving communities through groundbreaking social and emotional learning (SEL) and character development programs.

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What it is: Research-based SEL program specifically designed for middle school students, offering digital lessons focused on growth mindset, goal-setting, emotion management, and problem-solving.

How to use it:

Use the digital platform's videos and interactive activities

Connect SEL skills explicitly to math challenges (managing frustration during problem-solving)

Use the goal-setting tools for students to track math progress

Access family materials to reinforce SEL skills at home

How it extends learning: Students develop self-management skills that directly impact their ability to persevere through challenging math problems. The program teaches specific strategies for handling academic stress and setbacks, which helps students stay engaged when concepts are difficult. Goal-setting activities help students take ownership of their math learning, extending their capacity to work independently and build resilience when facing complex curriculum.

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Social-Emotional Learning Programs | Second Step

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Discover Second Step, an evidence-based social-emotional learning curriculum that fosters students’ emotional intelligence, empathy, and problem-solving skills.