Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: 8.g Circle Sandwich
Eighth graders are presented with a drawing of a large square inscribed by a circle which is itself inscribed by a second square. They are asked to find the area of the circle outside the smaller square and compare it to the area of the...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Book Sorting: Using Observation and Comprehension
Critical thinking, comprehension and analysis skills are the focus of this physical activity. Good beginning to teaching different ways of looking at things.
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: 7.g Eight Circles
In this lesson plan, 7th graders use their knowledge of formulas to determine the area and circumference of a circle.
Read Works
Read Works: Classify and Categorize Kindergarten Unit: Adding to Sorted Groups
[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson using the book My Big Animal Book by Roger Priddy in which students learn to sort items into predetermined categories. Ideas for teaching, guided practice, and independent practice are...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg Hexagonal Pattern of Beehives
Beehives are made of walls, each of the same size, enclosing small hexagonal cells where honey and pollen are stored and bees are raised. This problem examines some of the mathematical advantages of the hexagonal tiling in a beehive....
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg Toilet Roll
Picture a roll of toilet paper; assume that the paper in the roll is very tightly rolled. Assuming that the paper in the roll is very thin, find a relationship between the thickness of the paper, the inner and outer radii of the roll,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg How Many Cells Are in the Human Body?
About how many cells are in the human body? The purpose of this task is for learners to apply the concepts of mass, volume, and density in a real-world context. Aligns with G-MG.A.2.
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Co Seven Circles Ii
In this task, seven pennies are placed in a circle so that they are all touching one in the center and their neighbors. Learners are asked to find as many rigid motions of the plane as they can which are symmetries of this configuration...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Srt, G Mg Seven Circles Iii
In this task, students are shown circle formations where an inner circle is surrounded by a set of circles and all circles are touching. In the first situation, all circles have the same diameter. In the second, the inner circle is...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Srt, G Mg How Far Is the Horizon?
Some friends are at the beach looking out onto the ocean on a clear day and they wonder how far away the horizon is. A second problem asks how far the horizon would be from the top of a mountain. Students must also answer a question...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg the Lighthouse Problem
For this task, students are asked to calculate the height above sea level of a lamp on top of a lighthouse that is visible to a boat, and to examine two other interpretations of the distance from the lighthouse to the boat. Aligns with...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg, G Gmd Global Positioning System Ii
Satellites communicate with a GPS device and establish the distance between them and their locations. The set of points at a fixed distance from a satellite form a sphere so when the GPS receives its distance from a given satellite, this...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg How Thick Is a Soda Can? Variation Ii
In this task, students are given an aluminum soda can and are simply asked how they could determine how thick the can is. Aligns with G-MG.A.1 and G-MG.A.2.
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg How Thick Is a Soda Can? Variation I
In this task, students are given the dimensions of a soda can and are asked to estimate its thickness. They must first find the surface area and the volume of aluminum. Aligns with G-MG.A.1 and G-MG.A.2.
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg Solar Eclipse
In this task, learners investigate why total solar eclipses are rare. They will learn that, in addition to requiring the positioning of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, the Moon can only completely block out the Sun when it is closest to the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg Tilt of Earth's Axis and the Four Seasons
This task gives students a chance to explore the effects of the Earth's tilt and rotation using a simple geometric model of Earth-Sun interaction that shows why the seasons occur. Aligns with G-MG.A.1.