SMART Boards and a Simple Number Line Tool

Sometimes the tools that are the most simple to use are also the most powerful. Case in point, the Decimal Number Lines Tool over at Maths Online is an extremely effective learning tool to use that is also very simple in design and function. It's a perfect companion for the SMART Board.

The Decimal Number Line tool allows teachers to display and interact with a number line. The number line can be moved around and zoomed bigger or smaller. Teachers can decide on which units are displayed and also whether unit marks are displayed. What's really cool is that teachers and students can move an arrow back and forth above the number and when they're ready, they can touch above the arrow to reveal the arrow's location on the number line. The number can be turned off and on just by touching above the arrow. 

As a Math teacher, I can think of some great ways to use this with the SMART Board. If you have a good idea, please share it in the comment section.

Since I'm discussing number lines, I should also mention the fun number lines in the eManipulatives section at Houghton Mifflin. They really are a lot of fun for practicing skip counting. They have a very simple skip counting number line for K-2 and they have a slightly more advanced number line for Grades 3 - 6 that has a few more options for the teacher.

Please remember to share these resources with the other teachers in your school!

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Comments

[Nicole Green]

Thanks James for another great resource. The number line site will work perfectly with many Everyday Math lessons. Often, I would make my own number lines to use on the Smartboard -- but the interactivity of this site is great.