Curated OER
Investigation-What are My Chances?
Second graders explore probability. In this math lesson plan, 2nd graders discuss the possibility of choosing a certain colored tile from a bag. Students perform experiments and describe the outcomes as certain, possible, unlikely and...
Curated OER
Investigation: A Train of Shapes
Students explore geometry by utilizing stackable blocks in class. In this shape identification lesson, students discuss the different characteristics of squares, rectangles and circles while creating them with building blocks in class....
Curated OER
Investigating Quadrilaterals
Fourth graders discuss the various attributes of quadrilaterals. In groups, they use the attributes to sort quadrilaterals into different classes and a hierarchy. They review the new vocabulary and attributes with a partner to end the...
Curated OER
Investigating Area and Perimeter of Polygons.
Student sinvestigate the area and perimeter of polygons. They differentiate between similar and congruent polygons.. They identify the ratio and proportions of the sides and angles of polygons.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Investigating Friction
Young learners explore friction. They view a video or DVD (bibliography provided) and define terms related to friction, and work in groups to experiment with the effects of friction on speed and motion using ramps and toy cars.
American Statistical Association
Happy Birthday to . . . Two?
How many people do you need in a room before two likely share the same birthday? Scholars consider this puzzle by analyzing a set of data. They ponder how to divide the data and determine the proper size of a group for this event to...
University of Minnesota
Dendritic Spines Lab
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
Curated OER
Patterns in the Multiplication Table
Explore patterns in the multiplication table in order to deepen your third graders' understanding of this essential skill. Implement this activity as a whole-class lesson, allowing students to work in pairs or small groups to support...
Curated OER
Multiplication: Bugs Can Multiply, So Can I!
Develop multiplication skills with your class. Youngsters will visualize multiplication as repeated addition. Then they will create a multiplication bug book and discover arrays as a strategy for multiplication problem solving....
EngageNY
Tangent Segments
What's so special about tangents? Learners first explore how if a circle is tangent to both rays of an angle, then its center is on the angle bisector. They then complete a set of exercises designed to explore further properties and...
Education Development Center
Thinking Things Through Thoroughly
Problem solving is a skill of its own. Learners use a variety of problems to encourage mental math and logic to get the correct answer. Guiding questions are provided along the way to encourage the right way of thinking to help tackle...
Education Development Center
Algebraic Habits of Mind
Math really is just one big puzzle waiting to be solved. Show learners that math can be intriguing and provide them with visually engaging problems and puzzles. The focus is on solving simple equations and looking at expressions.
Education Development Center
Micro-Geography of the Number Line
Young mathematicians dive into the number line to discover decimals and how the numbers infinitely get smaller in between. They click the zoom button a few times and learn that the number line doesn't just stop at integers. Includes...
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Taking a Spin
It does not divide into 360 evenly, so it cannot work. The resource extends pupils' thinking about rotational symmetry. By asking for a figure with a rotational symmetry of a seemingly impossible angle, the activity requires learners to...
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Bank Shot
Bank on geometry to line up the shot. The resource asks the class to determine the location to bank a cue ball in a game of billiards. Using their knowledge, class members determine where to hit the bumper to make a shot and discuss...
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip
This hands-on resource has future trip planners analyze graphs of mileage, gasoline costs, and travel time on different routes. While this was originally designed for a problem-solving exercise using a Michigan map, it could be used as a...
Curated OER
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Review the form of a quadratic function, and the parabola it creates. Continue on with the whole group to work through a mini-lab, practicing how to graph quadratic equations with one variable. The goal of this lesson is for the group...
Curated OER
Farmers Dilemma
Students investigate the "futures" market and how it affects farmers by completing a prediction activity utilizing bags of M&Ms. While completing this activity, students practice basic mathematics skills and reinforce economic terms.
Curated OER
Absolute Value and Basic Operations With Real Numbers
Middle schoolers investigate the mathematical concept of absolute value by counting the number of steps taken in two directions. Using the number line the teacher can note how they can forward and backward without changing the absolute...
Curated OER
A Sweet Drink
Learners investigate reaction rates. In this seventh or eighth grade mathematics lesson, students collect, record, and analyze data regarding how the temperature of water affects the dissolving time of a sugar cube. Studetns...
Curated OER
The Distance Formula and Marching Nonviolently for Social Change
Students explore the distance formula using real world data from nonviolent marches for social change. In this secondary mathematics lesson, students investigate the marches of Gandhi and King using maps overlaid with a coordinate...
Curated OER
Identify and Graph Linear Equations
Students investigate linear functions. In this mathematics lesson, students plot points onto a graph by solving the equations y=x and y=mx+b by being given numbers for x and solving for y.
Curated OER
Classroom Supplies
Challenge young mathematicians to buy classroom supplies by staying within the means of a $1,000 budget. The mathematical activity provides learners with the opportunity to decide what items from the supply list would benefit a class of...
National Wildlife Federation
Why All The Wiggling on the Way Up?
Some of the CO2 emitted by burning fossil fuels is removed from the atmosphere by natural sinks, such as the ocean. The fifth engaging lesson in the series of 21 examines the CO2 data from three very different locations. It then makes a...