Curated OER
Open-Ended Problem Solving - Math
If you are looking for an end-of-the-year math assessment, then this instructional activity could be for you! Your mathematicians are assessed on their ability to solve difficult, multi-step word problems that take quite a bit of thought...
Curated OER
Creating Open-ended Problems in Algebra
Creating open-ended algebra problems can help students develop the critical thinking skills they need.
Illustrative Mathematics
Equal Area Triangles on the Same Base II
A deceptively simple question setup leads to a number of attack methods and a surprisingly sophisticated solution set in this open-ended problem. Young geometers of different strengths can go about defining the solutions graphically,...
Curated OER
Finding the Area of Shapes
In this area of shapes unit, upper graders participate in hands-on problem solving activities to find the formulas for the area of a parallelogram, a triangle, and a trapezoid. They manipulate the geoboard to explore relationships among...
Illustrative Mathematics
Ice Cream Van
In an open-ended problem, learners calculate costs involved in driving an ice cream van. Is it better to park in one place or drive through different neighborhoods? Learners look at these and other factors and must make reasonable...
Illustrative Mathematics
$20 Dot Map
Challenge the addition skills of young learners with this open-ended math problem. The task is simple, get from start to finish by connecting a series of three numbers. The trick is that the sum of the numbers must be less than or equal...
Curated OER
The "Heart" of the Problem
Students explore mathematical operations while studying nutrition. In this physical fitness lesson, students explore calories, pulse rate, and the circulatory system. Students use mathematical data to create a healthy physical fitness...
North Carolina State University
Construction
Engineering design projects serve as great opportunities for collaborative problem solving. In this case, students work in small groups designing, building, and eventually testing a structure that meets a teacher-specified objective. It...
Yummy Math
More Chocolate Candy?
Everyone knows that candy is the best part of any holiday—but which holiday's candy gives you the most bang for your buck? Analyze a chocolate heart, a chocolate bat, and a normal piece of chocolate to decide which piece of candy has the...
EngageNY
Describing Center, Variability, and Shape of a Data Distribution from a Graphical Representation
What is the typical length of a yellow perch? Pupils analyze a histogram of lengths for a sample of yellow perch from the Great Lakes. They determine which measures of center and variability are best to use based upon the shape of the...
Curated OER
Finding Mass
Student measure mass to discover how pennies have changed in their composition. In this measurement lesson, 8th graders investigate through an open-ended problem to discover how the US pennies composition changed in the 1980's.
Illustrative Mathematics
Paper Clip
With minimal setup and maximum freedom, young geometers are encouraged to think outside the box on a seemingly simple application problem. Though the task seems simple, measuring a given paper clip and finding how many 10 meters can...
Curated OER
The Art of Soap Making
Here is a nice, clean wrap-up instructional activity for your chemistry class when they are studying chemical reactions . They experiment with different oils to make soap. To make it more fun, they are to imagine that they are part of a...
Curated OER
Fishing Adventures 3
Your young boaters will enjoy writing and solving inequalities, and representing the solution graphically in this task set in the context of renting a boat.
Curated OER
The Water Cycle - Main Components
Present the water cycle to your middle schoolers with this lesson. After an anticipatory set, they participate in a Q & A session about the terms associated with the water cycle: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, and...
Curated OER
Fish Farm: an open ended, student centered laboratory activity
Young scholars are contacted by a fictitious company which raises tropical fish to do basic research for them so that they might keep their production costs down. They need to know the optimum salinity in which to hatch the brine shrimp...
Curated OER
How many edges do I need to cut in order to open a cube?
Students problem solve to open a cube to create different shapes. In this problem solving lesson plan, students are given a cube and the shapes to open it up to, and they have to cut the cube open to make certain shapes. This gives them...
Curated OER
The Scientific Method (Senior, Science)
Student's recall from memory the steps in the scientific method. TSWBAT describe in detail the various steps of the scientific method. TSWBAT analyze a problem or situation and apply the steps of the scientific method to it.
Curated OER
Set Design
Students explore proportional reasoning. In this middle school mathematics lesson students investigate scale drawings as they create a proportional representation for the carvings on Mt. Rushmore.
Curated OER
Genocide-Holocaust
Twelfth graders gain insight and perspective as to how and why the Holocaust occured. They explain why the specific groups were targeted, and complete a brief paragraph about what it would have been like to live during this era.
Curated OER
How many isosceles Triangles Can You Find?
Fifth graders solve problems while examining a variety of isosceles triangles. For this isosceles triangle lesson, 5th graders examine shapes to find their characteristics. Students pay particular attention to the characteristics of...
Curated OER
Woman Power!!! Mathematics Camp
Students explore mathematics by researching stereotypes. In this gender bias lesson, students participate in discussions where they identify traditional careers according to their own gender. Female students attend summer camp and...
Curated OER
How many isosceles triangles can you find?
Seventh graders recognize the characteristics of isosceles triangles. In this isosceles triangle instructional activity, 7th graders use geoboards to create isosceles triangles. Students record results and explain why they have an...
Curated OER
School Store
Fourth graders complete a worksheet where they calculate costs of items in a school store by using multiplication. In this multiplication lesson plan, 4th graders find the total cost of all the supplies and the cost per item.