Virginia Department of Education
Complex Numbers
Build on your class' understanding of real numbers as they begin working with complex numbers. Pupils begin with an exploration of i and the patterns in the powers of i. After developing a definition for i, they...
Virginia Department of Education
Quadratic Equations
Review the multiple methods of solving quadratic equations through an analysis of the discriminant. Scholars use the discriminant to determine the best solution method and then solve various equations. As a challenge, learners build...
Virginia Department of Education
Quadratic Curve of Best Fit
Class members create a table of the number of chords that can be drawn given the number of points on a circle. Pupils analyze the data created, find a function to fit to it, and use the function to make further predictions.
Virginia Department of Education
Matching Representations
Pupils explore the many representations of linear functions by completing a matching activity to connect the multiple representations of a function. They then reinforce the connection as individuals create the different representations...
Virginia Department of Education
Solving Equations
Demonstrate the abstract process of solving equations by using algebra tiles as a concrete representation. Scholars begin by solving equations through the use of manipulatives. As they gain more confidence, they progress to...
Virginia Department of Education
Solving and Graphing Inequalities
You can't go wrong with a lesson that involves candy! Learners solve and graph one-variable inequalities and use candy to graph the solution. Individuals associate open circle graphs with life savers and closed circle graphs with round...
Virginia Department of Education
Graphing Linear Equations
Combine linear equations and a little creativity to produce a work of art. Math scholars create a design as they graph a list of linear equations. Their project results in a stained glass window pattern that they color.
Virginia Department of Education
Probability
Classes explore different scenarios using manipulatives to learn about the difference between independent and dependent probability. Learners experiment with colored chips to model the two types of probabilities. To test their...
Virginia Department of Education
Scatterplots
Math is all fun and games with this activity! Learners use an activity designed around hula hoops to collect data. They create scatter plots with their data and then analyze the graphs for correlation.
Virginia Department of Education
Constructions
Pupils learn the steps for basic constructions using a straightedge, a compass, and a pencil. Pairs develop the skills to copy a segment and an angle, bisect a segment and an angle, and construct parallel and perpendicular lines.
Virginia Department of Education
Angles in Polygons
Polygons — it's all about the angles. Groups work with dynamic geometry software to find the sum of the measures of the angles of various polygons. After finding the information for several polygons, the groups generate a formula that...
Virginia Department of Education
Surface Area and Volume
Partners use materials to wrap three-dimensional objects to determine the formula for surface area. The groups use an orange to calculate the amount of peel it takes to completely cover the fruit. Using manipulatives, individuals then...
Virginia Department of Education
Normal Distributions
Pupils work to find probabilities by using areas under the normal curve. Groups work to calculate z-scores and solve real-world problems using the empirical rule or tables.
Virginia Department of Education
Exploring Statistics
Collect and analyze data to find out something interesting about classmates. Groups devise a statistical question and collect data from their group members. Individuals then create a display of their data and calculate descriptive...
Virginia Department of Education
Algebra Tiles and Solving Equations
Young mathematicians solve linear equations by drawing models of algebra tiles using colored pencils. To finish, they solve the same equations algebraically and check their answers using a graphing calculator.
Virginia Department of Education
How Much is that Tune?
Tune in for savings! Scholars investigate pricing schemes for two different online music download sites. After comparing the two, they determine the numbers of songs for which each site would be cheaper.
Virginia Department of Education
Solve for the Unknown
How can shapes help solve literal equations? Scholars first learn to replace variables with shapes to aid in solving literal equations. A worksheet of practice problems helps hone the skill.
Virginia Department of Education
Graphing Systems of Inequalities
Apply systems of inequalities to a real-world problem. Here, scholars learn to graph solutions to systems of linear inequalities. To finish the lesson, they solve a problem involving burgers and cheeseburgers using a system of inequalities.
Virginia Department of Education
Greetings
Welcome learners to the world of algebra. Use a lesson that poses a situation involving the profit from creating greeting cards to teach about algebra. It requires scholars to use linear functions and inequalities to solve problems.
Virginia Department of Education
Equations of Lines
Scholars connect slope-intercept form and standard form to the values of m and b by first matching a set of cards that have slope-intercept form, standard form, values of m, values of b, and graphs of linear equations. They then...
Virginia Department of Education
Slope-2-Slope
Pupils build on previous experience with slope to investigate positive, negative, zero, and undefined slope. They complete a puzzle matching slope-intercept and standard forms of linear equations.
Virginia Department of Education
Area and Perimeter
Develop a strategy for finding the area and perimeter of irregular figures. Building on an understanding of finding area and perimeter of rectangles and triangles, learners apply the same concepts to composite figures. After...
Virginia Department of Education
Linear Modeling
An inquiry-based algebra lesson explores real-world applications of linear functions. Scholars investigate four different situations that can be modeled by linear functions, identifying the rate of change, as well as the...
Virginia Department of Education
Factoring
Uncover the relationship between factoring quadratics and higher degree polynomials. Learners develop their factoring skills through repetition. A comprehensive lesson begins with quadratics and shows how to use the same patterns to...