Curated OER
Explaining the equation for a circle
By first starting with an explicit example of a radius and center point, this challenging lesson tries to help learners gain an understanding of the Pythagorean theorem and the equation of a circle. Once they have accomplished the first...
Curated OER
Interpreting Functions
Interpreting graphs of functions is addressed in a short instructional activity. Distance as a function of time is sketched on a graph, and a few quick questions ask about their meaning. This would make a good short assessment, or a nice...
Agile Mind
Cake Weighing
An online set of four yummy questions addresses number sense for sixth graders. They place points on a number line, determine relative values, interpret absolute value, and apply their understanding to the weighing of cakes for a bakery....
Illustrative Mathematics
6.EE.4 Equivalent Expressions
Straight to the point, learners are asked to compare a set of five expressions, determine which are equivalent, and then write equivalent equations for those that do not have any. A benefit is that they will review using properties...
Illustrative Mathematics
Triangular Tables
Somewhat of a puzzle, this problem gets pre-algebra preteens to write an expression representing a seating chart using triangle-shaped tables. This single task is an applicable lesson for meeting sixth grade Common Core math standards....
Illustrative Mathematics
Distance to School
A single problem requires learners to write two expressions representing the total distance between a student's home and school over a time span of four weeks. A thorough commentary follows that will help you explore the solutions with...
Yummy Math
Movies ~ Oscars 2013
Using a popular topic, the movies, your class can meet a Common Core criterion. They compare box office movie returns, adjust older movies' incomes for inflation, and in this way use the four operations to solve real-world problems. This...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Using Positive and Negative Numbers in Context
Measure the temperature of your math class with a temperature-based lesson on adding and subtracting rational numbers. The thermometer serves as a vertical number line for learners as they work together to solve a temperature change...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Taxi Cabs
A simple real-world problem involving taxi cab fares is used to practice the multplicaiton and division of integers. How many of two different-sized taxis are needed to transport 75 people to the airport? What is the least...
Illustrative Mathematics
The Marble Jar
A jar is filled with 1,500 marbles and customers of a bank can enter a contest to guess the correct percentage of blue marbles. How can an employee at the bank estimate the actual percentage without physically counting all 1,500 marbles?...
Illustrative Mathematics
Block Scheduling
If a random sample determines that 45% of learners favor block scheduling, is it possible that the actual percentage might be 50% or 60%? In this task, learners use data from a computer-generated simulation to determine the plausibility...
Curated OER
Complex Distance
Have learners graph complex numbers to gain a visual and mathematical understanding of the distance and the midpoint between two complex numbers. This lesson is short, but to the point, and addresses an important complex number...
Illustrative Mathematics
Assessing Reading Numbers
Youngsters develop their number sense by rote counting from one to ten. Over time, they identify the numbers on their own and no longer rely on fixed recitation. Using numerical flashcards, a teacher will randomly choose numbers from the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Average Cost
Here is an activity that presents a good example of a function modeling a relationship between two quantities. John is making DVDs of his friend's favorite shows and needs to know how much to charge his friend to cover the cost of making...
Illustrative Mathematics
Influenza epidemic
This activity presents a real-world problem about an epidemic of influenza spreading through a city. Learners refer to a graph that shows the number of individuals infected in relation to the number of weeks that have elapsed since...
Curated OER
Integer Solutions to Inequality
When is the last time you assigned your students only one problem? This seemly simple problem requires learners think like a mathematician and reason about how to solve this compound inequality in one variable. More than just using...