Curated OER
Exploring Expressions
Examine parts of an expression in this algebra instructional activity. Ninth graders identify the properties of the coefficient and their behavior to the graph. They graph the equation on a TI to see their results.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Polygons-Changing Area Versus Changing Perimeter
Investigate the area and perimeter of polygons in this geometry lesson. Young geometers use grid paper to draw a quadrilateral and calculate its area and perimeter. They also read The Greedy Triangle to identify the changing shape of...
Virginia Department of Education
Slippery Slope
Explore slope using geometric patterns. Young mathematicians investigate towers built from cubes to develop a linear pattern. They move the data to a coordinate plane to connect the pattern to slopes.
Virginia Department of Education
Transformation Investigation
Graph it! Investigate transformations with a graphing calculator. Pupils graph sets of linear functions on the same set of axes. They determine how changes in the equation of a linear function result in changes in the graph.
Mathematics Assessment Project
The Number System
Count this assessment in the "use" pile. Middle schoolers solve a set of five problems in the seventh and eighth grade number system domains. All problems are in pure mathematics with no applications.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Hopewell Geometry
Right triangles from 2,000 years ago? Learners investigate different right triangles found in the earthworks of the Hopewell people, a Native American culture that populated the United States from 200BC to AD 500. Learners apply concepts...
Mathematics Assessment Project
A Golden Crown?
In this assessment task, learners determine whether a crown with given information is composed of pure gold. The task expects algebraic and numerical solution methods, so unlike Archimedes, no bathtub is necessary.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Pythagorean Triples
What special relationships exist in right triangles? In the high school performance task, learners investigate Pythagorean triples. They then determine rules for the perimeter and area of right triangles given the shortest side.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Triangular Frameworks
What did the triangle say to the circle? You're pointless! Class members will get the point when they investigate relationships between side lengths of a triangle using the Triangle Inequality Theorem. Pupils then create an algebraic...
Curated OER
Geometric Pictures of One Half
A learning task that involves creative ways of thinking permits children to use paper models as a way to visualize the fraction one-half. Learners can fold or cut their models in such a way that the unshaded regions, and shaded regions...
Georgia Department of Education
The Basketball Star
Have learners use math to prove they are sports stars! Assess a pupil's ability to create and analyze data using a variety of graphs. The class will be motivated by the association of math and basketball data.
Illustrative Mathematics
Converting Square Units
Jada has a rectangle board that is measured in inches. Young learners confirm their understanding of converting inches to feet. Then they find the area in square feet. Jada thinks she has a short-cut to convert inches square to square...
Illustrative Mathematics
Friends Meeting on Bikes
It is the job of your mathematicians to figure out how fast Anya is riding her bike when meeting her friend. The problem shares the distance, time spent riding, and Taylor's speed leaving the last variable for your learners to solve. Use...
Illustrative Mathematics
Friends Meeting on Bicycles
It's a great day for a bike ride, but how long will it take? Your learners will have to calculate multiple variables in the problem using scaffolded questioning. Different answer choices are given, but you will need to create the table...
Curated OER
Shapes and Their Insides
Learners follow a series of instructions for drawing and coloring different shapes in order to learn the difference between the perimeter and area of a polygon. Then they are asked to find the perimeter and area of a 3x4 rectangular...
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
Health Science: Back to Basics
This lesson focuses on unit conversion, proportions, ratios, exponents, and the metric system. Discuss measurement with your math class and demonstrate how to solve several health-science word problems. Give learners a chance to visit an...
Curated OER
Same solutions?
This activity focuses in on the structure of an equation and how it compares to another. Young algebraists are tasked with grouping together equations that have the same solution by focusing on the transformation of the equations rather...
Illustrative Mathematics
Rectangle Perimeter 3
This activity looks at writing expressions to represent perimeter of a rectangle and then considers the concept of equivalent expressions and the distributive property in more detail.
Illustrative Mathematics
Why Randomize?
Your statisticians draw several samplings from the same data set, some randomized and some not, and consider the distribution of the sample means of the two different types of samplings. The exercise demonstrates that non-random samples...
Illustrative Mathematics
Midpoints of the Sides of a Paralellogram
This task asks learners to prove that the segment joining the midpoints of two sides of a parallelogram is both congruent and parallel to an adjacent side of the parallelogram. The activity would be good to use in a discussion about how...
Curated OER
School Advisory Panel
How would you choose three high schoolers from your class to be on a school panel that would represent a fair and representative view of opinions? This brief activity offers four different sampling methods to choose from and asks for...
Illustrative Mathematics
Which Function?
Learners are given a graph of a parabola on a coordinate system, but intercepts and vertex are not labeled. The task is to analyze eight given quadratic functions and determine which ones might possibly be represented by the graph. The...
Curated OER
Analyzing Discrete and Continuous Data in a Spreadsheet
You are what you eat! Your statisticians keep a log of what they eat from anywhere between a day to more than a week, keeping track of a variety of nutritional information using a spreadsheet. After analyzing their own data, individuals...
Illustrative Mathematics
Accuracy of Carbon 14 Dating I
Here is an activity that is intended to highlight a very important issue about precision in reporting and understanding statements in a realistic scientific context. Discuss different ways of reporting the half life of Carbon 14 using...