What better way to make predictions about future weather and climate patterns than with actual climate data from the past? Young climatologists analyze data from 400,000 to 10,000 years ago to determine if climate has changed over...

Take the tediousness out of graphing. Using the interactive tool, learners can efficiently create a line graph from a set of data. They then use the graph to answer questions about specific trends in the data.

Seeing functions in nature is a beautiful part of mathematics by analyzing the motion of a dolphin over time. Then take a look at the value of a stock and maximize the profit of a new toy. Explore the application of quadratics by...

Math and medicine go hand-in-hand. After viewing several infographics on historical adult obesity rates, pupils consider how they have changed over time. They then use percentages to create a new graph and write a list of questions the...

Expectant earth scientists examine the bottom side of a leaf and learn the role of the stomata. They consider the gas exchange that occurs through these structures and relate how the climate is changing to its impact on food crops. This...

Middle and high schoolers use a spreadsheet to graph data. In this graphing lesson, learners determine how two parameters are correlated. They create a scatter plot graph using a computer spreadsheet.

Whether you have your class plant seeds or begin when sprouts are visible, math skills are used here to predict and track growth over time. Straw bar graphs show plant height on a given day while the graph as a whole shows changes over...

Students research the changes in change over time. Students choose one coin to research and trace in history. Students graph out a time line on their coins. Students present their time lines to the class.

Time to move on to nonlinear functions. Scholars create input/output tables and use these to graph simple nonlinear functions. They calculate rates of change to distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions.

Help learners determine the rate of change for the temperature of sand. They will collect data on the temperature of wet and dry sand over time with a heat lamp overhead. Then make a scatter plot of the data and find a linear model to...

We're all from somewhere. An informative interactive provides information on immigration, foreign-born residents, and deportations. Pupils interpret the graphics to analyze how these quantities have changed over time. The resource is...

It's shark week! In this problem, young mathematically minded marine biologists need to study the fish population by analyzing data over time. The emphasis is on understanding the average rate of change of the population and drawing...

Studying data over time can paint a pretty interesting picture. Learners use data they collected in the previous lesson plan to compare to historical data in a similar region. They graph the data of the first bloom of a specific species...

Learners plot the Kaibab deer population from 1905 to 1939 and analyze the changes over time. For this populations lesson plan, students investigate the causes of changing populations of the Kaibab deer and they find the carrying...

Students investigate time. In this investigative lesson, students run through an obstacle course using standard timers. They record the time and apply this knowledge to problems in math. Students record their predictions, and graph...

Students are taught how to format and enter data into an Excel spreadsheet. They make a graph and interpret graphed data. Students discuss possible impacts of water chestnut invasion. They graph data on water chestnut. Students report...

Learners identify real graphs and misleading graphs. In this algebra instructional activity, students surf the Internet for real life scenarios where graphs are used in a misleading way as well as in a correct way.

Learn about polymers while playing with shrinky dinks. Young scholars create a shrinky dink design, bake it, and then record the area, volume, and thickness over time. They model the data using a graph and highlight the key features of...

Fourth graders investigate the ecosystem and how forests are disappearing.  In this environmental protection lesson, 4th graders analyze the changes in their school for 2 weeks.  Students practice identifying trees, birds, and...

Seventh graders interpret data. In this lesson on types of graphs, 7th graders construct, interpret, and analyze different graphs. This lesson includes worksheets and resources.

How is sea coral like a thermometer? Part three of a six-part series from NOAA describes how oceanographers can use coral growth to estimate water temperature over time. Life science pupils manipulate data to determine the age of corals...

Learners explore the concept of distance v. time. They use a CBR to collect data on their distance over time, then plot their data using a scatter plot and find an equation to model their data. Pupils discuss what if scenarios which...

What does an exponential pattern look like in real life? After viewing a video of the population growth of bacteria, learners use the real-life scenario to collect data and graph the result. Their conclusion should be a new type of...

Everybody loves video day! Grab your class's attention with this well-designed and engaging resource about graphing. The video introduces a scenario that will be graphed with a piecewise function, then makes a connection to domain...