EngageNY
Why Are Vectors Useful? 1
How do vectors help make problem solving more efficient? Math scholars use vectors to represent different phenomenon and calculate resultant vectors to answer questions. Problems vary from modeling airplane motion to the path of a...
EngageNY
Solving Equations Involving Linear Transformations of the Coordinate Space
Explore methods for solving linear systems with your classes and introduce learners to using matrices as a viable method. Scholars are able to recognize situations where matrices are the efficient method of solving. Application...
Balanced Assessment
Catenary
Develop a model for a hanging chain. Pupils find a mathematical model for a hanging chain and then they compare their models to the precise function that models the curve. Scholars come up with a strategy to determine how close...
EngageNY
Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem
Discover a new application of the Pythagorean Theorem. Learners prove and apply the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem in the 17th lesson in a 25-part series. The examples ask learners to verify right triangles using the converse...
K20 LEARN
How Many Days Will It Take? Eating To 6,972!: Partial Quotients
The story, How Many Jelly Beans? by Andrea Menotti introduces a activity about partial quotients. Mathematicians practice rounding and multiplying, then work in small groups to connect those skills with division and partial...
Illustrative Mathematics
Fundraising
In order to solve for who raised the most money, learners will need to choose an appropriate math strategy or tool to help them. Two possible solutions, one involving pictures and one involving abstract thought, are presented in the...
Curated OER
Comparing a Number and a Product
Mental math strategies are important for fifth graders to be able to determine the greater sum without actually solving the equations. As a summative assessment, this eight-problem worksheet can give insight into the understanding of the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Reasoning about Multiplication and Division and Place Value, Part 1
Help your class make sense of quantities and their relationships. Given is the product of two numbers. It is up to your number crunchers to think about the quantitative relationship when the product is one-tenth or ten times the product...
Illustrative Mathematics
Operations on the Number Line
A different way to look at integers is on this number line with variables in place of numbers. Learners are to look at different expressions and describe why they think the answer would be positive or negative, depending on the location...
Illustrative Mathematics
Designs
A resource that makes for excellent group work as students explore the area and perimeter of different complex designs made up of squares and circles. The commentary gives a clear definition of perimeter, but suggests that group members...
Illustrative Mathematics
Which Number is Greater? Which Number is Less? How do you Know?
When comparing groups of objects, it's easy for children to identify which has more, but it's not so easy for them to explain their reasoning. This simple whole-group activity provides multiple opportunities for learners to compare...
Illustrative Mathematics
How Thick Is a Soda Can II?
Science, technology, and math come together in this one combination exercise. Analyzing the common soda can from both a purely mathematical perspective and a scientific angle allows for a surprisingly sophisticated comparison of...
Illustrative Mathematics
Jamir's Penny Jar
Before you start counting the coins in Jamir's coin jar, figure out which coin to start with. Should it be the penny or the quarter? Why? This is the focus around a worksheet that works well as an assessment on counting money and...
Curated OER
You Can Survive! (Math Anxiety)
Young scholars explore strategies to manage stress in the math classroom. Through various activities, students discover the characteristics of math anxiety and determine if this affects them. Using computer technology, young scholars...
Curated OER
Sunshine Math 3
In this word problems worksheet, learners read and problem solve nine mathematical word problems involving grids, measurement, compensation and angles.
Teach Engineering
Both Fields at Once?
An MRI uses both a magnetic and electricity, so how do the two interact with each other? Class members observe the effects on a charged particle when it is subject to both an electrical and magnetic field. The teacher background...
Curated OER
Algebra Tic-Tac-Times
Use the strategy of working backwards to practice factoring polynomials and multiplying binomials in a game format. Play, and work to find which products combined with the available factors will result in the placement of four tokens in...
Curated OER
Chairs Around the Table
Youngsters become flexible problem solvers with this challenging lesson. If there are 24 square tables in a restaurant, how many customers can be seated at one time? They can use manipulatives or draw pictures to help them find the...
Teach Engineering
Water Power
Young hydrologists observe a waterwheel which helps them investigate the transformations of energy that occur when the blades of a hydro-turbine are turning. They work together in pairs and pretend to be engineers who are building a new...
Computer Science Unplugged
Twenty Guesses—Information Theory
How do we determine how much information to include and what can be left out? By playing a game of 20 questions, the class generates the best strategies for finding a number. They then move on to guessing the next letter in a short...
Willow Tree
Order of Operations
It's the classic please excuse my dear aunt sally strategy to remembering the order of operations. Young mathematicians practice to develop an understanding of the order of operations. Examples and practice problems include...
Balanced Assessment
Fermi Area
Discover creative ways to use surface area formulas. In the assessment task, scholars apply estimation strategies to determine surface area in non-routine problems. They consider surface area of kitchen sponges, rock salt crystals, and...
Indiana Department of Education
The Represented World: Communication—Packaging
Challenge your classes to design and market a new product. Collaborative groups use geometry skills to create packaging for their products. Finally, they plan a marketing strategy to present to a marketing specialist.
Illustrative Mathematics
Finding Common Denominators to Add
Finding common denominators is an important strategy when adding fractions with unlike denominators. In the first two questions in this three-question task, fifth graders are asked to combine fractions and draw a picture to show their...