Identifying patterns is a crucial skill for all mathematicians, young and old. Explore the multiplication table with your class, using patterns and symmetry to teach about square numbers, prime numbers, and the commutative and identity...

Learners investigate prime and composite numbers. They use a number chart and cross out multiples of 2,3,5 etc. up to 100. Pupils fold pieces of masking tape around pennies and label them with composite numbers, then fold masking tape...

Seventh graders determine if a number is prime or composite.  For this determining if a number is prime or composite lesson, 7th graders use a website to help find all prime numbers between 1 and 100.  Students use a website to...

Students discover the Sieve of Erathosthenes. They explore a method to find all the prime numbers in a group of numbers. Using models, students practice divisibility rules while examining the difference between prime and composite numbers.

Young scholars differentiate between prime and composite numbers. In this algebra instructional activity, students define the terminology and investigate the contributions made by Eratosthenes and Euclid as it relates to prime numbers....

Students create factor trees.  In this prime and composite lesson, students model fractions using tiles.  They create factor trees and identify prime and composite numbers.  Students use grid paper and tiles to model...

Fifth graders use interlocking cubes to build towers to represent factors of numbers and place the towers in the appropriate places on a Tower chart in order to look for patterns. They work in partner groups, and finish by writing...

Banks are responsible for keeping our financial information safe. Mathematics is what allows them to do just that! Pupils learn the math behind the cryptography that banks rely on. Using polynomial identities, learners reproduce the...

Sixth graders explore how to apply the commutative property and the rules of divisibility. They examine the difference between prime and composite numbers.

Use paint to teach about cryptography. Scholars explore public key cryptography by attempting to mix a secret color using paint. After the activity, they investigate the Diffie-Hellman method using prime numbers, exponents, and modular...

Young scholars design their own spinner that meets the given criteria. In this math lesson, students discuss biased versus unbiased events or outcomes when dealing with probability. Young scholars are given 5 criteria that must be...

Ninth graders investigate divisibility rules.  In this middle school mathematics/Algebra I instructional activity, 9th graders explore the divisibility rules of 7, 11, and 13.  Students examine certain six-digit numbers that...

Ninth graders factor equations and find prime numbers. In this algebra lesson, 9th graders find the factors and prime factors of a number using multiples and relatively prime numbers.

Groups plan their escape carefully. Three three-tiered puzzles help a story character escape their situation, each involving integer sequences, transformations, and geometric constructions. The teacher resource includes...

Number patterns can seem mysterious. Help your learners unravel these mysteries as they complete an intriguing task. Through examination, collaborative groups determine that they are able to produce all integers above a certain...

Learning about factors and multiples is all fun and games with this simple math activity. The lesson begins with the teacher and class playing the Factor Game together as students figure out the rules and uncover key...

It seems the post office has run out of stamps! Learners build all the values of postage available if the post office only sells five- and seven-cent stamps. The task provides an opportunity to create an expression in two variables and...

Faster than a speedy calculator! Show your classes how to use polynomial identities to multiply numbers quickly using mental math. 

Trying to get your class to think of decimals as fractions and vice versa can lead to interesting discussions. After all, we can usually understand quickly that 1/4 is .25 but why is 1/7 not so easy to convert? This activity looks...

Though the scientists who developed the atom bomb did not believe it should be used to end World War II, American President Harry S. Truman and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were of like mind in their decision to drop the bomb...

Eleventh graders participate in a gallery walk activity to identify past Canadian Prime Minister.

Young scholars explore the concept of Pascal's Triangle. In this Pascal's Triangle lesson, students use an applet called 'Coloring Multiples' to explore Pascal's Triangle. Young scholars develop patterns starting with various numbers in...

Learners find the greatest common factor of two numbers. In this algebra lesson, students use prime factorization to find their factor to simplify equations. they create a factor tree to find the factors of composite numbers.

Students secure information online using cryptography. For this algebra lesson, students use RSA technology to encrypt information on the internet. They use modular reduction of natural numbers to understand prime number theory.