Writing Code:
Writing HTML: A tutorial for creating web pages
Computer programming resources
RoboCode
(Java)
Online Tour of Traditional Logic
Adventures with Logic (click on Critical Thinking)
List of logic resources compiled by the authors
of The Well-Trained Mind
Critical Thinking, Books One and Two.
Problem
solving,
reasoning,
logic, and arguments.
From the back of the
book:
A course of
informal and formal logic for junior high and secondary
students. Series objectives include discernment in
reading and listening,and clarity of thought in
speaking and writing. Through readings and class
discussions,
students consider and analyze a variety of realistic
situations.
Exercises drawn from newspapers (articles, letters to
editors,
advice columns, and commentaries), newscasts,
advertisements, conversations,
political
speeches, and government regulations make the material
relevant and
appealing to young adults. Topics include basic
concepts in critical
thinking, use and
misuse of words and statements, propaganda and
advertising
techniques, logical reasoning fallacies, quantified
statements, probability
of truth and
falsity, characteristics of arguments, and applied
logic. 
Math, Logic and Critical Thinking Resources
Mathematics Resources: An Incomplete Guide
Review: Jacob's Algebra and Geometry books
SET: The Family Game of Visual Perception
Logic Problems for elementary and up
The world-famous Math.doc by Dale Reed (lots of math links compiled by and for homeschoolers)
Trivia Planet (logic games, puzzles, science)
Hoagies Gifted Math and Science Links
Student contests across the nation: how you can host a local group
PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN
About Logo by Dale Reed
New! Download The Great LOGO Adventure instruction book for free
The world-famous Math.doc by Dale Reed (lots of math links compiled by and for homeschoolers)
PASCAL - very simple to learn language, especially good for structured programming.
Wikipedia has an overview of programming for children
Alice focuses on 3D graphics, and is supported by Carnegie Mellon, to provide the "best possible first exposure to programming for students."
Scratch is a graphical language, run by the MIT Media Lab, aimed at kids 8 and up.
Squeak is the language behind Scratch. Squeak is based on Smalltalk. See EToy environment aimed at younger kids.
Logo and the turtle graphics are based on LISP - see StarLogo. Wikipedia has information on Logo.
Kids Programming Language (KPL) has a new version out called Phogram, similar to Visual Basic. Link to the original KPL.
Math Recommendations
See Making Math an Adventure: our review of SRA Math Explorations and Applications.
The Open Court Real Math books have been reprinted by SRA under the name Explorations and Applications. This math series is highly recommended. They are still available in their previous printing as Open Court books, in some places. They contain the same problem sets as the Explorations and Applications series. Differences include a greater use of color and graphics in the current edition, and more manipulative-based games. See the SRA website for more information.
Don't miss the excellent review of Open Court by Mathematically Correct. Explorations and Applications was one of the few programs to receive an "A" grade.
Recommended books:
Creative Problem Solving in School Mathematics by Dr. George Lenchner. Teaching Problem-Solving? This textbook for teachers can help you. It uses about 400 challenging nonroutine problems to extend elementary and middle school mathematics into such topics as sequences, series, principles of divisibility, geometric configurations, and logic. It is the foundation of the Math Olympiad program, and is based upon the author’s popular inservice course, The Art of Problem-Solving. The book is organized into 4 sections: Teaching Problem Solving; Some Problem Solving Strategies; Some Topics in Problem Solving; Resource Problems. Both The Arithmetic Teacher (NCTM, 1984) and Curriculum Review (1984) reviewed the book quite favorably. Each called it "an excellent resource".
Math Olympiad Contest Problems for Elementary and Middle Schools by Dr. G. Lenchner. The Math Olympiad contests presented these 400 challenging problems and ingenious solutions over a period of 16 years. Aimed at young students, their teachers and parents, the book contains an unusual variety of problems, a section of hints to help the reader get started, and seven unique appendices that inform and enrich, among other features. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle Schools (NCTM, May 1997) said that the book "is so complete, concise, and well done that it really should be part of your professional library".
One Equals Zero and Other Mathematical Surprises: Paradoxes, Fallacies, and Mind Bogglers by Nitsa Movshovitz-Hadar and John Webb. Grades 9–12. One equals zero! Every number is greater than itself! All triangles are isosceles! Surprised? Welcome to the world of One Equals Zero and Other Mathematical Surprises. In this book of blackline activity masters, all men are bald, mistakes are lucky, and teachers can never spring surprise tests on their students!
The paradoxes and problems in each One Equals Zero activity will perplex your students, arouse their curiosity, and challenge their intellect. Each counterintuitive result, false analogy, and answer that defies expectation will encourage students to look at familiar mathematical situations in a new light. By solving the paradoxes, your students will come to better understand both the possibilities and the limitations of mathematics.
Many of the paradoxes, fallacies, and mind bogglers in One Equals Zero are based on classic paradoxes and can be used in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, or calculus classes. What makes this book unique are the detailed teacher's notes that accompany each activity and that provide a thorough explanation of the paradox or problem; in-depth pedagogical and mathematical comments; suggestions for extensions; and for many activities, related historical material. Also included in each set of teacher's notes is a list of the activity's key concepts. A matrix of these concepts at the beginning of the book allows you to place each activity in a suitable context. And a list of recommended readings guides you and your students to a wealth of related material.
Each of the activities in One Equals Zero can be completed in less than one class period and requires no additional materials, although several of the book's geometry activities can be enhanced by the use of The Geometer's Sketchpad® software. With One Equals Zero, you can transform mathematical errors and quandaries into positive learning experiences. Along the way, you'll encourage your students to see that the development of mathematical skill is a process of creative struggle and spirited debate.
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The Critical
Thinking books are precursors to a course in formal logic (represented by
the books Introductory Logic by Wilson and Nance or Traditional Logic by Cothran). The Mind Benders books are pricey for what they deliver, and some of their problems are confusing, whereas the Fearon books are more straightforward, and have lots more problems per book for about the same price. Another series is the Building Thinking Skills books by Critical Thinking Press. They are a different sort of book, and do not teach logic per se. They have sequencing, analogies, figural problems. What you choose will largely depend on the ages and background of your children. |
One homeschooling mom wrote: My own bias is that logic studies are great! If I had to narrow my kids' studies down, (at their ages), they would study: logic, Latin, writing, guided reading, and math. They are voracious readers, so I don't have to push reading much. I highly recommend logic studies!