Sit back, relax, and transport to 1787! This lesson on the Constitution begins with guided imagery of the Constitutional Convention. The class reads A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution in an...

Get learners' minds rotating and reflecting while looking for symmetry. Pupils investigate figures to determine the number of lines of symmetry and if the figure has rotational symmetry. Classmates work together in groups to find out the...

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.

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 practicing...

Add up areas of squares to discover the pythagorean relationship. Small groups create right triangles with squares along each side. They calculate the areas of each square and notice the relationship. Groups construct other types of...

What type of quadrilateral is that? Discover the difference between the types of quadrilaterals. Small groups investigate types of quadrilaterals using geometry software to find their properties. To keep track of the different...

Students examine how Earth's rotation causes daily cycles in solar energy using a microset of satellite data to investigate the Earth's daily radiation budget and locating map locations using latitude and longitude coordinates.

Fourth and fifth graders make a protractor and identify various angle types. In this protractor and angle lesson, learners make their own protractor and use it to measure a variety of angles. They complete worksheets while identifying...

Create a human fraction to learn about division of exponents. Scholars develop the rule for division of exponents by being part of a human fraction to explore and justify the rule. They also consider zero exponents and negative exponents.

Elementary graders discover the concept of fractional pieces of a whole. They investigate the meanings of fractions in everyday life and why they are used. Pupils divide brownies amongst each other to demonstrate the use of fractions...

Young geometers investigate and apply properties of quadrilaterals.  After a review and discussion of key terms, students use a computer applet to explore four-sided figures and classify them according to their attributes. The...

Third graders investigate two mathematic scenarios and determine which is correct. They compare adding columns and places (such as the tens place, hundreds place, and so on) and familiarize themselves with how to add larger numbers.

Turn your classroom into a farmers' market! Reading Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson or Monica Wellington’s Apple Farmer Annie, launches this investigation of apples, farmers' markets, and the people selling products. The class...

Discover how algebra tiles can help in dividing polynomials. Pupils watch as instructors demonstrate how to use algebra tiles to solve problems involving the division of a quadratic expression by a linear expression. Once they get the...

Tiles are not just for algebra—see how they can help with multiplication too. Young mathematicians learn to use algebra tiles to model polynomial multiplication. A follow-up worksheet provides practice with the skill.

The coordinate plane is a popular place! Identify rotations, reflections, and dilations on the coordinate plane. Pupils work in small groups to match transformations of a figure with the description of the transformation. They perform...

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.

Just how far away from the mean is the data point? Pupils calculate the standard deviation for a set of data and find out how many standard deviations a point is away from the mean. The teacher leads a discussion on how to calculate...

Counting is not all it adds up to be — sometimes it involves multiplying. The instructional activity introduces permutations and combinations as ways of counting, depending upon whether order is important. Pupils learn about factorials...

Kindergarteners and first graders work with Reese's Pieces to explain comparing sets, create comparison sets, and compare sets of numbers and objects. A good lesson that uses a "tasty" manipulative!

Students apply abstract concepts, such as stress, fulcrums, the law of gravity, and the strength of different geometric shapes. Groups of student contractors operate simulated architectural firms to create strong, economical bridges.

Sixth graders inspect M&M's to complete statistical data. Students interpret percent of colors represented. They convert data from decimals, fractions, and percents. Using the data, 6th graders create a bar graph and a circle graph.

Fourth graders practice calculating area by creating a classroom quilt. Students are given a 6x6 inch square material they design based on a classroom theme. A sample of the class quilt is created using graph paper so students may...

Seventh graders build their own Clinometer and using the tangent of angles, estimate the height of trees. Then these students develop and lesson plan to show whole class and determine the tallest tree on school property.