Curated OER
Day And Night
First graders examine how the earth experiences day and night by using a flashlight and a globe as a model.
Curated OER
Show Me the Way To Go Home
Students place a pencil perpendicular to the ground and trace its shadow between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM. They measure the length of the shadow, periodically over several hours, in either English or Metric units. Using the data, they find...
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How Tall is that Tree?
Students apply their math skills to develop an accurate estimate of the height of a tall tree. Three different methods are outlined. All grade levels should be able to perform the shadow method and the proportional method.
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The Reasons for the Seasons
Sixth graders conduct a controlled investigation to determine the length of the sun's shadow on a fixed object (i.e., flagpole, telephone pole, etc.) over a three-day period (one day in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the...
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Right Triangle Trigonometry
In this geometry activity, 10th graders use right triangle trigonometry to find the missing angle measure. The two page activity contains fourteen problems. Answers are provided.
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Lesson 3-5: Proportions and Similar Figures
In this similar figures activity, students use proportions to solve 6 short answer and multiple choice questions. Students use proportions to answer questions about map scales and height of trees given shadow lengths.
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Time
Students make a sundial. In this time lesson plan, students determine the time of the day by creating a sundial. They check the time on the sundial, hourly, for one week. Afterward, they explore what happened to the shadows in reference...
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Similar Figures
In this geometry worksheet students explore similar polygons and determine measure of missing sides and angles. Students use indirect measurement with similar triangles and determine the area and volume of similar figures. The seven...
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UV Beads
Learners recognize preventitive measures that can be taken to reduce the risks associated with exposure to solar radiation. They explain why solar radiation can be harmful. They utilize beads that turn color when exposed to UV rays. Good...
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What to Do with a $20 Bill Besides Spend It
Students explore the concept of anti-counterfeiting measure. In this economics lesson, students use science equipment to discover anti-counterfeiting designs. Students then explore other denominations of bills.
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Cooler in the Shadows
Students explore how the amount of sunlight and heat change in areas that are shaded.
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The Shadow Knows - Measuring A Telephone Pole
Third graders attempt to determine the height of a telephone pole or tree without climbing to the top.
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Measuring The Earth
Learners use their geometry and trigonometry skills to determine the distance between their school and another school.
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Toilet Plunger Sundial
Young scholars build a sundial to measure the local noon time. For this third grade science lesson, students build a sundial out of common materials and align to measure the local noon. This lesson is a hands-on tracking of the sun, and...
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Sundials
Students investigate the different types of sundials and their history. In this shadows and time of day lesson students build their own sundials.
Curated OER
Geometry of Exploration: Eyes Over Mars
Students research how engineers and scientists generate linear and angular measurements with geometry to survey the Earth and Mars. They assess how geometric shapes affect navigation. A surveyor comes to the classroom and explains how he...
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Portable Sundial
Learners work together to identify the accuracy of sundials. They track the position of the sun and create a shadow plot. They discover the difference between real time and clock time.
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Trigonometry Multiple Choice
In this geometry activity, students solve word problems. They find the height and distance of triangular measurements. They identify missing angles using triangular properties. There are 10 questions.
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Angles of Elevation and Depression
In this angles of elevation and depression worksheet, 10th graders solve 4 word problems that are related to determining the angles of elevation and depression. First, they define angle of elevation and angle of depression as used in the...
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Algebra Using Proportions
In this algebra using proportions worksheet, 10th graders solve 14 various types of problems by applying algebra methods to geometry. First, they solve each of 8 proportions using cross products. Then, students use the triangle shown and...
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Reasons for the Seasons
Sixth graders conduct and analyze a survey that explores public perceptions about the reasons for seasonal change. They measure the changing length of days, observe shadows and discuss how the Earth's axis of rotation affects the seasons.
Curated OER
Sun
Students study how the sun is at the center of the solar system. For this solar lesson students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.
Illustrative Mathematics
Tilt of Earth's Axis and the Four Seasons
Geometry meets earth science as high schoolers investigate the cause and features of the four seasons. The effects of Earth's axis tilt features prominently, along with both the rotation of the earth about the axis and its orbit...
Curated OER
Tennis Triangle
Students calculate the height of a tree or flagpole. They measure the shadow of the tree or flagpole and the length of a shadow of a meterstick. Using similar triangles, calculate the heigh. Devise two additional ways in which to measure...