The M Word

Another quarter has come and gone and many of the ESOL students at my school are still struggling with their core content classes.  Since the opportunity was offered, a colleague and I decided to do our part to combat this problem by starting a homework club.  We targeted eighth grade students in particular in an effort to ensure that they are fully prepared for the rigors of high school next year.

Offering a homework club means that students are going to seek help in all core content areas.  This is something that Cathy and I figured we could handle.  We rocked it a few weeks ago while explaining how a bill becomes a law and even got through science. However, this week our biggest fear was realized: students asked us to help them with their math homework.  I took the easy way out by focusing on the students who had to solve for x.  Cathy tackled slope intercepts.

As the homework club continues and builds up a following, Cathy and I are anticipating that more math questions will arise.  This may require reinforcements as to be honest, only so much math is required to be an ESOL ninja on a daily basis.  Here are some of the math weapons in my arsenal:

Videos
Khan Academy
Math Playground
Study Jams

Interactive Activities
Assorted Activities
Johnnie's Middle School Math
Illuminations
Middle School Math Games
Interactive Math Vocabulary

Online Manipulatives
Math Playground
National Library of Online Manipulatives
iTools