MENSA Education & Research Foundation
Fabulous Fibonacci and His Nifty Numbers
Fibonacci numbers are not only found in the classroom but also in nature. Explore the concept of Fibonacci numbers through a series of lessons designed to gain insight into the mathematical reasoning behind the number pattern, and spark...
Kenan Fellows
Weight and Balance of an Airplane
A career in aeronautics might be calling your class members. Building from the previous two lessons in the series, learners continue analyzing the mathematics of aeronautics. Groups create a paper airplane using paperclips for balance....
Smithsonian Institution
What's the Code? Coding Robot Movements Using Sound
Tap into the desire to learn about computer codes. Pupils apply the Tap Code and the Polybius Square to send secret codes using sound. They design a code that tells a robot what movements to make and then test out their code using one of...
American Statistical Association
What is the Probability of “Pigging Out”
Learners apply their understanding of luck to a probability experiment. They play a game of Pass the Pigs to determine the probability of a specific outcome. Using analysis for their data, pupils declare the measures of center, dot...
Curated OER
Complex Distance
Have learners graph complex numbers to gain a visual and mathematical understanding of the distance and the midpoint between two complex numbers. This lesson is short, but to the point, and addresses an important complex number...
Illustrative Mathematics
Interpreting a Division Computation
Mathematicians show their understanding of a division problem. If a student can apply long division to a pair of numbers and determine a quotient, what other factors and multiples become apparent? The example illustrates a simple...
Illustrative Mathematics
Voting for Three, Variation 3
Get your learners to think outside the box. Students require a good understanding of ratios and their relationship to fractions to complete the problem. The only quantities given in the problem are the ratio of the number of votes for...
Illustrative Mathematics
Finding an Unknown Angle
Teach your class how to apply their knowledge of geometry as they explore the unknown. In order to find an unknown angle, students must understand that rectangles have four interior right angles, that right angles have 90 degrees, and...
Curated OER
Stock Swaps, Variation 2
If Microsoft wanted to take over Apple, how many shares would they need to break even? This is an ideal task for seventh graders who are studying proportional relationships and applying them to real-world scenarios. Use it as an...
Mathematics Vision Project
Quadratic Functions
Inquiry-based learning and investigations form the basis of a deep understanding of quadratic functions in a very thorough unit plan. Learners develop recursive and closed methods for representing real-life situations,...
Curated OER
Word Problem Practice Workbook
Need worksheets that challenge your middle schoolers to apply their understanding of math? Problem solved! From integers, fractions, and percents, to algebra, geometry, and probability, over 100 pages of word problem worksheets...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Table Tiling
How many total tiles does it take to tile a table top? Learners apply geometric concepts to determine the number of tiles needed for a specific square table top, and then use the result to create expressions for the number of tiles...
Illustrative Mathematics
Counting Dots in Arrays
Mathematical arrays can represent several different math skills, including counting groups, multiplication, and even area. In this specific task, learners are asked to identify the addition equations that are equal to a 3 x 4 array....
Howard County Schools
Factoring Trinomials Using Tiles
What's the opposite of multiplying binomials? Learners apply their previous knowledge of multiplying binomials using algebra tiles to factor trinomials. The lesson plan introduces factoring as a process that uses algebra tiles to...
Mascil Project
Circular Pave-Stones Backyard
Pack the lesson into your plans. Young mathematicians learn about packing and optimization with the context of circular paving stones. They use coins to model the paving stones, and then apply knowledge of circles and polygons to...
Education World
Putting Turkey on a Table (or a Graph)
Grateful learners put turkey on a table (or a graph)! Through a creative project they show statistical information about turkey population, production, and consumption. A great Thanksgiving lesson plan that can be applied at any time to...
Curated OER
Math: Navigating the World Around Me
Young mathematicians research and discuss real world math word problems and ways in which they apply math concepts in their everyday lives. They create a storyboard of a math word problem from which they create a slide for a multi-media...
Curated OER
Linguistic Diversity. Languages in Canada - Elementary
Create a language mosaic to reveal the linguistic diversity in your community. Pupils interview a person with a home language other than English and contribute to a bulletin board display representing the variety of languages spoken. The...
Teach Engineering
May the Magnetic Force Be with You
Class members use mathematics in order to better understand magnetic forces and their interaction on charged particles. After a demonstration of the interaction between a magnet and an electron beam using a CRT computer monitor,...
Discovery Education
Discovering Math: Exploring Geometry
Apply geometric properties and formulae for surface area and volume by constructing a three-dimensional model of a city. Learners use similar and congruent figures and transformations to create a city of at least 10 buildings. They trade...
Curated OER
Adding and Subtracting Decimals With Excel
What a great way to have pupils apply classroom learning to real-world skills! They complete problems involving the addition and subtraction of decimals related to banking-type questions, and then use a spreadsheet to display their results.
Curated OER
Residential Power System
Perform data analysis on energy consumption to apply algebraic expressions to the real world. Learners will write and solve equations that answer various questions from residential power use. They will collect data at home and calculate...
Wells Fargo
Hands on Banking
Cha-ching! You just hit the jackpot with this interactive consumer math unit. Supported by a series of online lessons and activities, these lessons engage students in applying their math skills to real-life personal...
BW Walch
Creating Linear Inequalities in One Variable
Just when a young mathematician starts to feel comfortable turning word problems into linear equations, shake things up and throw inequalities in the mix. This excellent, instructive presentation takes the steps for solving an...