NOAA
What Little Herc Saw
See the underwater world through a different pair of eyes! Middle school marine biologists identify deep-sea organisms by examining images taken by an ROV from the Okeanos Explorer. After determining what creatures lie beneath the...
Federal Reserve Bank
Retirement Planning
It's never too early to start saving for retirement. In fact, the earlier one starts, the better! Use this retirement planning activity to teach the importance of a retirement strategy and why to start at a young age.
Curated OER
Getting It Right! An Investigation of the Pythagorean Theorem
Learners construct a variety of right triangles using a right-angled set square, cutting corners from pieces of paper or cardboard, and using dynamic geometry software. They measure the sides of these various right triangles and record...
Baylor College
Finding the Carbon in Sugar
In session one, demonstrate for your class how a flame eventually goes out when enclosed in a jar in order to teach that oxygen is required for combustion. In session two, class members then burn sugar in a spoon to observe how it...
Illustrative Mathematics
Price per Pound and Pounds per Dollar
Help learners understand the concept of unit rate as it is applied to buying beans at a grocery store. The objective is to determine the unit rate in two ways, and then apply each ratio to an additional problem. The attached commentary...
Illustrative Mathematics
Who is the Tallest?
A simple question, with a not-so-simple answer. Working with whole and mixed number measurements in inches, feet, and yards presents a problem with many possible solutions. A great activity that challenges the minds of young...
Curated OER
Real Life Challenge
Students solve word problems using words and mathematical symbols. In this algebra lesson, students verbalize what they do to arrive at their answers. They set up their problems algebraically as they apply their knowledge of math to...
Curated OER
Percents: (An Application to Real Life Problems)
Seventh graders explore the concept of calculating percents. In this calculating percents activity, 7th graders simulate ordering food off of a menu. Students work in groups to calculate the bill, tax, and the tip for the...
Curated OER
Triangles in My Life
Tenth graders investigate where in the real world triangles are used. In this geometry lesson, 10th graders write an essay describing where in their lives triangles are used. They can use food, buildings, clothing or anything triangular...
Curated OER
A Real Life Example of the Distance Formula
Students answer the following question: "Using the lines of latitude and longitude, what is the distance (in degrees) if you were to travel from NASA Dryden to NASA Ames?" They use the distance formula to find the distance (measured in...
EngageNY
Modeling an Invasive Species Population
Context makes everything better! Groups use real data to create models and make predictions. Classmates compare an exponential model to a linear model, then consider the real-life implications.
Inside Mathematics
Swimming Pool
Swimming is more fun with quantities. The short assessment task encompasses finding the volume of a trapezoidal prism using an understanding of quantities. Individuals make a connection to the rate of which the pool is filled with a...
Curated OER
What's in Your Piggy Bank?
Fill up your piggy banks! First graders find different ways to fill up cute piggy banks with 30 cents. Will they use two dimes and two nickels? Or a quarter and five pennies? Use this activity with groups to reinforce your money math...
Curated OER
Graphing Inequalities in Two Variables
This study guide is a great resource to help you present the steps to graphing linear inequalities. Show your class two different ways to graph an inequality and work on a real-world example together. The document could also be easily...
Illustrative Mathematics
Summer Swimming
Here is a real-world application for systems of equations. When is it better to pay an enrollment fee and lower daily rate, and when is it better to pay the regular price? The local swim center is having a special offer, reductions in...
Curated OER
Yummy Math
Young mathematicians use bags of Skittles to help them gain practice in graphing and organizing data. They work in pairs, and after they have counted and organized their Skittles, they access a computer program which allows them to print...
Curated OER
Making Models of the Solar System
Students make several models of the solar system to learn the positions of the planets in the solar system as well as relative distances and sizes. Creation of these models will help them identify the planets by size, shape, color,...
Curated OER
How Tall is that Tree?
Students use their feet to measure distance between themselves and a tree trunk. In this distance lesson, students use the number of steps, and string to measure distances and height of the tree. Students can get the tree...
Curated OER
Multiplication Word Problems
Here is a solving word problems by finding the products worksheet in which learners multiply two-digit numbers by one-digit numbers. They solve five problems.
Mathematics Vision Project
Probability
Probability, especially conditional probability, can be a slippery concept for young statisticians. Statements that seem self-evident on the surface often require a daunting amount of calculations to explicate, or turn out to be...
Inside Mathematics
Rugs
The class braids irrational numbers, Pythagoras, and perimeter together. The mini-assessment requires scholars to use irrational numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem to find perimeters of rugs. The rugs are rectangular, triangular,...
EngageNY
Modeling with Quadratic Functions (part 2)
How many points are needed to define a unique parabola? Individuals work with data to answer this question. Ultimately, they determine the quadratic model when given three points. The concept is applied to data from a dropped...
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
Get in Shape with Geometry
Using geoboards, computer programs, and hands-on manipulative materials, elementary schoolers engage in a study of two and three-dimensional geometric shapes. This instructional activity is chock full of good teaching ideas on the...