West Contra Costa Unified School District
Arcs and Angles
Noah didn't construct this kind of arc. High school scholars first explore how angles can be formed in circles. They then learn relationships between angles and arcs by conducting an exploratory activity where they position and draw arcs...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Congruent and Similar Polygons
What's similar about congruent and similar polygons? Young mathematicians first measure the side lengths and angles of given figures. They use these measurements to determine relationships between side lengths and angles of congruent and...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Expository Writing in Math
Pupils engage in an activity where one partner reads directions while the other follows those directions to complete a math task (such as bisecting an angle). As a reflection, they examine products to see what information the best...
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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...
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Hoops
With a creative premise involving a basketball competition, this game could be used to review basic science, grammar and math concepts in a fourth or fifth grade classroom. It is a fun idea, and a motivating way to review information....
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Tangrams
Students construct tangram pieces. Then they make observations and explore patterns with the pieces.
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Finding The Area Of Shapes
Fourth graders investigate the concept of computing the area using different shapes. They use prior knowledge in order to devise a formula for a parallelogram. Scaffolding is provided by the teacher to find the formula of area for...
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Getting Familiar with Fractals
Students use the Internet to answer lab questions about fractals, and then construct fractals using the initial stage and iteration rule. They complete tables and generate rules for the "nth" term and create their own fractals.
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DEAD MAN'S CURVE
Ninth graders, after being given a unique scenario and a task sheet on Dead Man's Curve, calculate and explain the force needed to keep a car on a curve using a set of formulas and a geometric property of circles. They utilize and create...
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Refining and Reasoning Behind Scale Drawings
Young scholars discuss accuracy and the need for it in blueprints in order to create the final project. They further refine and perfect drawings as part of the school drawing project. Students create a blueprint for the new school...
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Precision Tools
Students discuss the appropriateness of using a specific tool to measure and define an object. After measuring the area of their classroom and the objects in it with the appropriate tools, they create a floor plan that makes the most...
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Shapes are Everywhere
Second graders gain an understanding of geometric shapes and spatial reasoning. They learn the attributes of solid shapes in everyday activities. Students compare geometric shapes to everday objects, finding things that serve a purpose...
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The Box with the Greatest Volume
Students use measurement tools to measure the nearest 16th of an inch. They connect fractions and their decimal equivalents and compare this with other decimals. Finally, the class uses algebraic concepts and formulas to solve problems.
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What are Fractals?
Middle and high schoolers identify and analyze fractals and research information using the Internet to locate information about them. They look at fractals in relation to nature and other real world situations. Pupils create several...
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Family Activity: Triangles and Quadrilaterals
In this triangles and quadrilaterals worksheet, students solve 7 short answer problems. Students find objects around the house that are constructed from triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, squares, rectangles. Students sketch the...