Space Awareness
What is Time?
Does it ever seem like time is slipping through your fingers? Model the passing of time with an hourglass activity in which individuals determine whether hourglasses are the most efficient way to measure time.
Curated OER
The Class Trip
Mrs. Moore's class is trying to earn money for a trip to the science museum, but how much more do they need? Solve this problem with your own class as they develop their ability to model real-life situations algebraically. As an added...
Curated OER
Hickory Dickory Doc Tell Time
Learners discover time keeping by reading clocks. In this time-telling lesson, students read the story Hickory Dickory Dock, and discuss the measurements of time we use. Learners complete worksheets in which they identify the times of...
101 Questions
Small Trebuchet
Travel back to medieval time where learning is just a stone's throw away! A video introduction shows a trebuchet (catapult-like machine) as it launches a rock into a lake. Learners use their quadratic modeling skills to predict the...
PwC Financial Literacy
Saving and Investing: Investing for the Future
A fine lesson plan on saving and investing is here for you and your middle schoolers. In it, learners explore the values of time and money, and discover how small amounts of money invested over time can grow into a large "pot of gold."...
Curated OER
Arts Impact and Math
Third graders incorporate math into dancing. In this algebra lesson, 3rd graders identify different shapes and patterns using dance movements. They relate the different creations to polygons as they incorporate the use of stretchy bands...
ISTE
Macaroni Math - Unit Overview
It's not just for lunch, mini mathematicians make use of macaroni to model addition and subtraction of numbers up to 10. They place macaroni pieces on their desk and take away to model subtraction, then write subtraction story problems....
101 Questions
Deodorant
Smells like learning! Young scholars collect data on the length of time a stick of deodorant lasts. After modeling the data with a graph and function, they make predictions about deodorant use over time.
EngageNY
Modeling with Polynomials—An Introduction (part 2)
Linear, quadratic, and now cubic functions can model real-life patterns. High schoolers create cubic regression equations to model different scenarios. They then use the regression equations to make predictions.
Curated OER
Getting It Right! An Investigation of the Pythagorean Theorem
Learners construct a variety of right triangles using a right-angled set square, cutting corners from pieces of paper or cardboard, and using dynamic geometry software. They measure the sides of these various right triangles and record...
Curated OER
Real Life Algebra
Students investigate where in their everyday life math is used. For this algebra lesson, students describe linear transformation as it relates to business and sales. They relate area and perimeter to their yard or garden, as well as...
Curated OER
Teaching Radioactive Decay: Radioactive Half-life And Dating Techniques
High schoolers generate a radioactive decay table for an imaginary element using a box filled with pinto beans and M&M's. They use their data to plot a decay graph, develop the concept of half-life, and use the graph to "age" several...
Curated OER
Real Life Challenge
Students solve word problems using words and mathematical symbols. In this algebra lesson, students verbalize what they do to arrive at their answers. They set up their problems algebraically as they apply their knowledge of math to...
Curated OER
Life is Starting to Change
Students investigate the tough economic times by discussing supply and demand. In this economics activity, students read a news article and identify specific examples of the oil crisis that has touched their lives. Students create a...
Curated OER
American Indian Flute and Math
Students investigate the Math behind Musical instruments in this cross-curricular Math lesson plan on the Native American Flute and waveforms. The lesson plan can be accomplished in 6 days and includes an extensive materials list for...
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip
This hands-on resource has future trip planners analyze graphs of mileage, gasoline costs, and travel time on different routes. While this was originally designed for a problem-solving exercise using a Michigan map, it could be used as a...
Curated OER
Mathemafish Population
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...
Ocean Explorer
Living with the Heat
Young oceanographers study the Submarine Ring of Fire, which is a series of deep-water volcanic vents that come up from the ocean floor. Learners take a close look at the unique ecosystems that are associated with these areas, how these...
101 Questions
Bottomless Mug
How much coffee can you actually drink? An intriguing lesson has learners consider an advertisement for a bottomless mug of coffee. While considering the price of the mug, they analyze different scenarios to determine the cost-saving...
Curated OER
Clues From the Past: Daily Life
Learners discover the ways different cultures gathered and made food. In groups, they read excerpts from primary sources about the food people in Mesopotamia liked to eat. They work together to make a batch of goat stew and a loaf of bread.
Curated OER
NUMB3RS Activity: A Matter of Half-Life and Death
Students investigate exponential decay. Students explore the biological half-life of Cesium-137. Students investigate the Goiania Accident of 1987 which is considered one of the worst incidents in the history of the Atomic Age.
Curated OER
An Alien Has Landed
Students identify animals within a species by using their observation skills to record information, such as behavioral characteristics.
Curated OER
Making Cookies- How many per hour?
Fifth graders measure how long it takes to make cookies. In this measuring time instructional activity, 5th graders explore how to manage time. Students decide when to start making breakfast on time, how to calculate playing time into...
EngageNY
Modeling an Invasive Species Population
Context makes everything better! Groups use real data to create models and make predictions. Classmates compare an exponential model to a linear model, then consider the real-life implications.