Willow Tree
Functions
What makes a function a function? Learn the criteria for a relation defined as a function both numerically and graphically. Once young mathematicians define a function, they use function notation to evaluate it.
Curated OER
Data Analysis and Froot Loops
Use this probability and graphing instructional activity to have your learners work with a partner to make a necklace out of Froot Loops. They record the cereal colors randomly chosen and strung, graph their data, then use a ratio...
Virginia Department of Education
Normal Distributions
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.
Civil War Trust
Map the Civil War
Mapmaking was a very important element in successfully planning attacks on enemies during the Civil War. Guide pupils through the process of pacing to find the average length of their steps, measure the distance between one object...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 6: Congruence, Construction, and Proof
Trace the links between a variety of math concepts in this far-reaching unit. Ideas that seem very different on the outset (like the distance formula and rigid transformations) come together in very natural and logical ways. This...
Yummy Math
US Holiday Candy Sales
Candy is a big business! Calculate the amount of money consumers spent on major holidays—Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Valentine's Day—based on the total amount of candy sales from 2011 and the percentage of each holiday's...
Curated OER
Drops on a Penny
Young scientists explore the concept of surface tension at is applies to water. In this activity, learners use a dropper to place drops of water on a penny. Each group guesses how many drops a heads-up penny will hold, then conducts the...
Curated OER
Drug and Alcohol Awareness
Fourth graders examine the statistics when it comes to teens and drug and alcohol abuse. In groups, they research the side effects of four different drugs. Using the information, they perform a skit, or puppet show to share their data...
American Statistical Association
Scatter It! (Using Census Results to Help Predict Melissa’s Height)
Pupils use the provided census data to guess the future height of a child. They organize and plot the data, solve for the line of best fit, and determine the likely height and range for a specific age.
Statistics Education Web
When 95% Accurate Isn’t
Investigate the effect of false positives on probability calculation with an activity that asks scholars to collect simulated data generated by a calculator. To finish, participants analyze the probability of certain outcomes which lead...
Statistics Education Web
10,000 Steps?
Conduct an experiment to determine the accuracy of pedometers versus pedometer apps. Class members collect data from each device, analyze the data using a hypothesis test, and determine if there is a significant difference...
Curated OER
Forms of Quadratic Equations
Transformations of parabolas to fit a particular quadratic equation is taught through this lesson. In this transforming parabolas to fit a particular quadratic equation lesson, students describe the transformations of the parabola...
Texas State University
Earth: Deposition and Lithification
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
How is Flowing Water an Energy Source? Activity C
Can the force of falling water through a tube vary by altering the diameter of the tube or its height? That is what physical scientists aim to discover in this activity, the third in successively more revealing activities on the power of...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Introduction to Logarithms
Build on pupils' understanding of inverse functions by connecting logarithmic functions to exponential functions. This activity allows individuals to see graphically the inverse relationship between an exponential and logarithmic...
EngageNY
Changing the Base
I can't calculate a base-2 logarithm since my calculator doesn't have a base-2 log key. Young mathematicians use the change of base formula to extend the properties of logarithms to all bases. Among these bases is the natural log base,...
Cornell University
Beam Focusing Using Lenses
Explore optics using an inquiry-based experimental approach! Young scholars use a set of materials to design and build a unit capable of focusing a beam of light. They experiment with different lenses to determine the best approach to...
American Statistical Association
How Long is 30 Seconds?
Is time on your side? Pupils come up with an experiment to test whether their classmates can guess how long it takes for 30 seconds to elapse. They divide the class data into two groups, create box-and-whisker plots, and analyze the...
EngageNY
Wishful Thinking—Does Linearity Hold? (Part 1)
Not all linear functions are linear transformations — show your class the difference. The first lesson in a unit on linear transformations and complex numbers that spans 32 segments introduces the concept of linear transformations and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Half of a Recipe
Kids love to cook! What is a better place to learn mixed numbers than with a recipe? It is up to learners to decide how they want to divide this recipe in half. They may choose to model the mixed number and then divide the model by two....
Curated OER
As a Matter of Fact
Elementary-aged scientists discover that all matter has mass. They are shown the difference between mass and weight, and learn how to calculate mass using the appropriate tools and methods. The scientific method is used while estimating...
Curated OER
The Nine Planets
A solid lesson on teaching the nine planets in our solar system is here for you. In it, young scientists learn the correct order of the planets, and they choose one of the planets to do a research report on. They must come up with five...
Curated OER
Day #8 - Fractals
Students explore fractals and draw fractal curves. To assist in remembering the methods, they sing a song about fractals, watch a video, and create images of fractals on dot paper. Students observe and discuss a comic strip about...
Curated OER
Data Management and Probability: Applications
In this data management and probability applications worksheet, 8th graders solve 20 various types of probability problems. They find the mean, median, mode and range of various numbers. Then, students use the spinner illustration to...