Illustrative Mathematics
6.EE.4 Equivalent Expressions
Straight to the point, learners are asked to compare a set of five expressions, determine which are equivalent, and then write equivalent equations for those that do not have any. A benefit is that they will review using properties of...
Illustrative Mathematics
Triangular Tables
Somewhat of a puzzle, this problem gets pre-algebra preteens to write an expression representing a seating chart using triangle-shaped tables. This single task is an applicable lesson for meeting sixth grade Common Core math standards....
Illustrative Mathematics
Distance to School
A single problem requires learners to write two expressions representing the total distance between a student's home and school over a time span of four weeks. A thorough commentary follows that will help you explore the solutions with...
Yummy Math
Movies ~ Oscars 2013
Using a popular topic, the movies, your class can meet a Common Core criterion. They compare box office movie returns, adjust older movies' incomes for inflation, and in this way use the four operations to solve real-world problems. This...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Using Positive and Negative Numbers in Context
Measure the temperature of your math class with a temperature-based lesson on adding and subtracting rational numbers. The thermometer serves as a vertical number line for learners as they work together to solve a temperature change...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Taxi Cabs
A simple real-world problem involving taxi cab fares is used to practice the multplicaiton and division of integers. How many of two different-sized taxis are needed to transport 75 people to the airport? What is the least expensive...
Illustrative Mathematics
The Marble Jar
A jar is filled with 1,500 marbles and customers of a bank can enter a contest to guess the correct percentage of blue marbles. How can an employee at the bank estimate the actual percentage without physically counting all 1,500 marbles?...
Illustrative Mathematics
Block Scheduling
If a random sample determines that 45% of high schoolers favor block scheduling, is it possible that the actual percentage might be 50% or 60%? In this task, learners use data from a computer-generated simulation to determine the...
Curated OER
Complex Distance
Have learners graph complex numbers to gain a visual and mathematical understanding of the distance and the midpoint between two complex numbers. This lesson is short, but to the point, and addresses an important complex number concept....
Illustrative Mathematics
Assessing Reading Numbers
Youngsters develop their number sense by rote counting from one to ten. Over time, they identify the numbers on their own and no longer rely on fixed recitation. Using numerical flashcards, a teacher will randomly choose numbers from the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Average Cost
Here is an activity that presents a good example of a function modeling a relationship between two quantities. John is making DVDs of his friend's favorite shows and needs to know how much to charge his friend to cover the cost of making...
Illustrative Mathematics
Influenza epidemic
This activity presents a real-world problem about an epidemic of influenza spreading through a city. Learners refer to a graph that shows the number of individuals infected in relation to the number of weeks that have elapsed since the...
Curated OER
Integer Solutions to Inequality
When is the last time you assigned your students only one problem? This seemly simple problem requires learners think like a mathematician and reason about how to solve this compound inequality in one variable. More than just using...
Curated OER
How does the solution change?
Four simple equations, each with two variables, try to get at the important question of reasoning about equations. The problem isn't to solve the equations, but to understand the nature of their solutions. These equations address the...
Curated OER
Slope
Studying slope? This one page worksheet has it covered! Learners use graphs and coordinates to find slope and also use slope to find a missing coordinate of a point on a line. The lesson also includes a real-world example that asks...
Curated OER
Writing Linear Equations in Different Forms
This instructional activity is jam-packed with linear equations! Learners write equations in slope-intercept form and standard form. Horizontal and vertical lines are included, as well as graphs for several of the problems. A great way...
Illustrative Mathematics
Ants Versus Humans
You would think that humans make up more mass than ants do on this planet, but think again, and this time by performing calculations. Middle schoolers use scientific notation to compute and compare the estimated total mass of all humans...
Illustrative Mathematics
Kimi and Jordan
A single activity gets your math class to solve a word problem using two linear equations and two variables. They compare the summer earnings of Kimi and Jordan and then graph the solutions to determine who will save the most money in a...
Illustrative Mathematics
Solving Equations
If you have two bags with an unknown number of tiles, represented by x, and you add three tiles to get seven total, you can set up a linear equation to represent the problem. Use this example and a few others to demonstrate how to solve...
Curated OER
Fred's Fun Factory
Round and round and round she goes. Where she stops, nobody knows. This activity uses a common arcade game of chance, the spinning wheel, as a platform for computing expected values, interpreting results, and applying this knowledge to...
Curated OER
Solving Linear Inequalities
Walk the class through the steps of how to evaluate linear inequalities in one variable and graph the solution set. Define and discuss key vocabulary terms, then have individuals work problems of varying difficulty. Included are word...
Curated OER
Quick Graphs of Linear Equations
Graph equations of lines using the slope-intercept method or by plotting both x and y intercepts. Determine if two lines are parallel or perpendicular by comparing their slopes. This handout includes step-by-step directions and four...
Curated OER
Modeling: Having Kittens
Cats can't add, but they do multiply! Determine the number of descendants of a single cat given specific facts about cats and kittens. The lesson focuses on developing strategies for problem solving using both individual and group work....
Curated OER
Cruising
Cruise ships offer many engaging opportunities for real-world math adventures. These large, floating cities use resources with numbers into the thousands place. Young mathematicians are asked to calculate numerical information relevant...