Balanced Assessment
Plenty of Pentagons
Why are only four colors needed to color webs from regular pentagons, not five? An assessment task requires young mathematicians to first construct regular pentagons using a compass and straightedge, then has them consider a shape...
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Science: Reading a Compass
Young scholars demonstrate how to take bearings using a compass. In pairs, they select objects in the classroom then write down its first initial and bearing. They exchange papers and try to disciver their partner's object.
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Construct an Equilateral Triangle (part 1)
Drawing circles isn't the only thing compasses are good for. In this first installment of a 36-part series, high schoolers learn how to draw equilateral triangles by investigating real-world situations, such as finding the location of a...
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TE Activity: Northward Ho!
Young scholars design a simple compass. They examine how the Earth's magnetic field has both horizontal and vertical components. They determine how a compass works and work with cardinal directions.
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Let the Sun Shine In: Energy Conservation
Students create a project applying their math skills as they discuss energy conservation. For this geometry lesson, students define vocabulary relating to the environment and energy conservation. They construct a building that allow lots...
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Automobile-Accident Reconstruction
Students investigate an accident and relate it to math. In this trigonometry lesson, students measure the accident scene, the friction produced, and the speed from the skid marks. They create a poster of their findings.
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Characterize Points on a Perpendicular Bisector
Learn transformations through constructions! Pupils use perpendicular bisectors to understand the movement of a reflection and rotation. They discover that the perpendicular bisector(s) determine the line of reflection and the...
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What Can the Wind Blow?
Students observe math and science concepts no matter which way the wind blows. In this early childhood problem solving lesson, students will develop science, math, and observation skills as they learn about the wind.
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Mandalas, Polygons and Symmetry
Students create a geometric pattern using mandalas, polygons and symmetry. In this geometry lesson, students analyze the mathematics involved in making the mandalas, including the shapes and symmetry. Students create their own mandalas...
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Compass Designs
Young scholars investigate the properties of two and three dimensional objects. In this geometry instructional activity, students differentiate polygons based on similarity and congruence. They make observation and interpret the data.
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Understanding: Computing
Students examine how a pebble calculator works and compare it to an abacus. After a discussion on the abacus and pebble calculator and how each works, they construct their own pebble calculators. They determine how to represent...
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Exploring Geometric Figures
Tenth graders explore mathematics by participating in hands-on daily activities. Learners identify a list of different shapes and classify them by shape, size, sides and vertices. They utilize tangrams and geometric pieces to gain...
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Square Roots
Investigate the relationship between irrational roots and a number line with a resource that asks learners to put together a number line using radical intervals rather than integers. A great progression, they build on their understanding...
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Pedal Triangles
Students identify the properties and theorems of triangles. In this geometry lesson, students construct angle bisectors using a compass and straight edge. They identify triangular similarity and congruency.
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Triangles with Collinear Circumcenters
Students identify the circumcenter of a triangle. In this geometry lesson, students construct a perpendicular bisector using a straight edge and a compass. They differentiate between triangles and collinear points.
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Transformations and Matrices
There are four activities in this extensive lesson covering the identity matrix and scaling, the linear representation of translations, the linear representation of rotations, and reflections. In small groups, they use the Cabri II...
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Spherical Geometry: A Global Perspective
Students investigate spherical geometry using a globe and an apple. In this spherical geometry lesson plan, students translate Euclidean geometry terms to spherical geometry terms using a globe. They answer 3 questions about spherical...
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Location, Location
Third graders draw and interpret simple scale maps, use maps to move around efficiently or plans to propose actions. They use of a compass to specify and find directions. They display and discuss a map of the local region.
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Marshmallow Moosy
Pupils stack several different colored marshmallows-one on top of the other-in the tall cylindrical container. They ct a cardboard disk to fit snugly inside of the container on top of the marshmallow stack using a compass if necessary....
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A Lesson on the Root Spiral
Students create lines and shapes with a compass and a straight edge. In this geometry lesson, students investigate square roots, irrational numbers and spirals. They explore nature to see the shapes representing mathematics and geometric...
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Weather Report Chart
Students complete a weather report chart after studying weather patterns for a period of time. In this weather report instructional activity, students measure temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, wind speed, and wind direction for a...
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Caddo Circle Book
Pupils are introduced to the Caddo Indians of Texas. Using a compass, they draw a circle given specific dimensions and cut them out. Using the text, they read one section abut the Indians and complete the task listed on one of their...
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Understanding Symmetry Through Visual Art
Have your class explore symmetry, radial balance and fractional parts in natural and man-made objects in their environment. Learners list examples and identify symmetrical and asymmetrical designs. Pupils are given a box of crayons and...
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Special Lines in Triangles (part 1)
Allow your pupils to become the mathematicians! Individuals explore the properties of a midsegment of a triangle through construction and measurement. Once they figure out the properties, learners use them to draw conclusions.