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Age Range: 5 and up (Designed for grades K -

ClickScholar Mary Anna Cashmore wrote today's review...

Yesterday my 7-year-old son asked me, "Can you think of a 1-digit number
which is the answer to 5+5?"

"Actually, yes. Mod 6, the answer is 4."

We went outside and drew a chalk circle on the pavement and numbered the
perimeter from 0 to 5, then counted around to show that 5+5=4 mod 6. Then we
tried other math problems using our new "circular number line" and made a
few other "number lines" using different numbers. We spent some time
laughing and talking about how 2 + 4 = 0 and so forth.

This was so much fun, I wondered if there might be a website dedicated to
introducing young children to other concepts traditionally not taught until
the university level.

A quick search of the web led to today's National Science Foundation
website, which outlines a number of delightful activities exploring this
concept, each in its own module such as:

Abacus Arithmetic
Topology Tricks
Wrapping Paper Symmetry
Math is a Piece of Pi
Bridges of Koenigsberg
Binary Numbers
Geometry Gems
Algorithms, Braids, and Kolam Figures
Clock Arithmetic
Secret Codes
Construction by Instruction
Mathematics of Music
Methods of Multiplication
The Slide Rule
Cake Walk Math
Mirror, Mirror
Make a Mountain Out of a Map
Math 'N Music Notes
You Can Count On It!

Wow! Inspired by the modules on this website, you can start your own "Math
Might," where students age 5 to 105 can do hands-on exploration of exciting
math that most people don't even get to find out about until high school or
college. You don't need to be a math wiz; everything you need is right here
on this website.

Why should mathematicians have all the fun? Get your kids' friends together
and do clock math, play Mancala, figure out the day of the week 25 days from
now, make friendship bracelets, color Pascal's Triangle, and much more.

For each module, be sure to read "About This Module," which explains the
math concepts that the students are learning as they play. And don't miss
the convenient guide( http://orion.math.iastate.edu/mathnight/guide/ ), a
.pdf document which lists grade-appropriateness for each activity.

Under "Other Activities" on the menu to the left side of your screen, you
will find a few additional games to try using pencil and paper, plus
grade-appropriate sample questions for a quick game of Math Jeopardy.