Illustrative Mathematics
Eratosthenes and the Circumference of the Earth
The class gets to practice being a mathematician in ancient Greece, performing geometric application problems in the way of Eratosthenes. After following the steps of the great mathematicians, they then compare the (surprisingly...
Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: Mathematicus Dramaticus
The best part about this resource is that you've got four wonderful activities to choose from. Each of the projects can work together or on its own to help learners understand the history of math and how it can be seen every day. In...
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Review of the Assumptions (part 1)
What was the property again? Tired of hearing this from your pupils? Use this table to organize properties studied and as a reference tool for individuals. Learners apply each property in the third column of the table to ensure their...
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The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem
Is it a right triangle or not? Introduce scholars to the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem with a lesson that also provides a proof by contradiction of the converse. Pupils use the converse to determine whether triangles with given...
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Making Scale Drawings Using the Ratio Method
Is that drawn to scale? Capture the artistry of geometry using the ratio method to create dilations. Mathematicians use a center and ratio to create a scaled drawing. They then use a ruler and protractor to verify measurements.
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The Volume of Prisms and Cylinders and Cavalieri’s Principle
Young mathematicians examine area of different figures with the same cross-sectional lengths and work up to volumes of 3D figures with the same cross-sectional areas. The instruction and the exercises stress that the two...
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The Power of Algebra—Finding Primes
Banks are responsible for keeping our financial information safe. Mathematics is what allows them to do just that! Pupils learn the math behind the cryptography that banks rely on. Using polynomial identities, learners reproduce the...
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The Zero Product Property
Zero in on your pupils' understanding of solving quadratic equations. Spend time developing the purpose of the zero product property so that young mathematicians understand why the equations should be set equal to zero and how that...
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Using the Quadratic Formula
What is the connection between the quadratic formula and the types of solutions of a quadratic equation? Guide young mathematicians through this discovery as they use the discriminant to determine the number and types of solutions,...
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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,...
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Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem
What does similarity have to do with the Pythagorean Theorem? The activity steps through the proof of the Pythagorean Theorem by using similar triangles. Next, the teacher leads a discussion of the proof and follows it by an animated...
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Locating Ordered Pairs on the Coordinate Plane
Four quadrants, four times the fun. Future mathematicians learn the terminology associated with the coordinate plane and how to plot points in all four quadrants. A worksheet tests their understanding of the material in the 16th...
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Multi-Step Problems in the Real World
Connect graphs, equations, and tables for real-world problems. Young mathematicians analyze relationships to identify independent and dependent variables. These identifications help create tables and graphs for each situation.
Illustrative Mathematics
Who is the Tallest?
A simple question, with a not-so-simple answer. Working with whole and mixed number measurements in inches, feet, and yards presents a problem with many possible solutions. A great activity that challenges the minds of young...
Curated OER
Symmetry of the Addition Table
Help your class discover the commutative property of addition with this exploration of the addition table. By folding and coloring the table, a symmetry is found that directs students to an understanding of this crucial mathematical...
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First Consequences of FTS
Challenge the young mathematicians to find the exact coordinates of a dilated point. The fifth segment in a 16-part series introduces the class to the converse of the Fundamental Theorem of Similarity. Scholars use the theorem to...
Shodor Education Foundation
InteGreat
Hands-on investigation of Riemann sums becomes possible without intensive arithmetic gymnastics with this interactive lesson plan. Learners manipulate online graphing tools to develop and test theories about right, left, and...
Curated OER
Alexander and Alexandria
Middle schoolers explore the history of libraries. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students consider the work of Ptolemy to build a library in Alexandria. Middle schoolers discuss the availability of books then and today. Students...
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The Concept of a Function
Explore functions with non-constant rates of change. The first installment of a 12-part module teaches young mathematicians about the concept of a function. They investigate instances where functions do not have a constant rate of change.
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Similarity and the Angle Bisector Theorem
Identifying and verifying reproducible patterns in mathematics is an essential skill. Mathematicians identify the relationship of sides when an angle is bisected in a triangle. Once the pupils determine the relationship, they prove it to...
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Exploring the Symmetry in Graphs of Quadratic Functions
Math is all about finding solutions and connections you didn't expect! Young mathematicians often first discover nonlinear patterns when graphing quadratic functions. The lesson begins with the vocabulary of a quadratic graph and uses...
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Applications of the Pythagorean Theorem
Examine the application of the Pythagorean Theorem in problem-solving questions. Pupils apply the theorem to find lengths when given different scenarios. They finish the 17th installment in an 18-part series by applying the theorem...
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The Order of Operations
Future mathematicians learn how to evaluate numerical expressions by applying the order of operations. They evaluate similar-looking expressions to see how the location of parentheses and exponents affects the value.
Illustrative Mathematics
The Physics Professor
Help mathematicians see that a formula found in a physics book has an algebraic structure. Though the formula given in the resource looks complicated, learners are to break down the expressions and interpret each part separately....