EngageNY
Newton’s Law of Cooling, Revisited
Does Newton's Law of Cooling have anything to do with apples? Scholars apply Newton's Law of Cooling to solve problems in the 29th installment of a 35-part module. Now that they have knowledge of logarithms, they can determine the decay...
EngageNY
Modeling with Exponential Functions
These aren't models made of clay. Young mathematicians model given population data using exponential functions. They consider different models and choose the best one.
EngageNY
Bean Counting
Why do I have to do bean counting if I'm not going to become an accountant? The 24th installment of a 35-part module has the class conducting experiments using beans to collect data. Learners use exponential functions to model this...
EngageNY
Choosing a Model
There's a function for that! Scholars examine real-world situations to determine which type of function would best model the data in the 23rd installment of a 35-part module. It involves considering the nature of the data in addition to...
California Mathematics Project
For the Birds
It turns out math IS for the birds! Here, learners use mathematical reasoning to determine how often someone needs to fill a bird feeder. The rate the feeder empties varies by the number of holes that are available to the birds. Day two...
California Mathematics Project
Treasure Beneath the Sea
Explore the geometry of treasure hunting! Learners use geometry to design a treasure recovery strategy. The objective is to create a design that minimizes the amount of work required. Budding mathematicians use properties of triangles as...
California Mathematics Project
Viral Marketing
Math's gone viral—in the form of an exponential function! The activity uses an exponential function to model the growth of a marketing strategy. Learners create a table of values to observe the pattern in the numbers and then model the...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 7: Modeling with Functions
The sky's the limit of what you create when combining functions! The module begins with a review of transformations of parent functions and then moves to combining different function types using addition, subtraction, and multiplication....
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 5: Modeling with Geometry
Solids come in many shapes and sizes. Using geometry, scholars create two-dimensional cross-sections of various three-dimensional objects. They develop the lesson further by finding the volume of solids. The module then shifts to finding...
Teach Engineering
Processes on Complex Networks
Introduces your class to random processes in networks with an activity that uses information about disease spread using the susceptible, infectious, resistant (SIR) model. Participants determine whether a susceptible person becomes...
Balanced Assessment
Confetti Crush
In the first part of a middle school assessment task, learners analyze a given statement about the amount of confetti revelers throw at Times Square on New Year's Eve. The second part of the task requires learners to identify objects...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Estimating Volume: The Money Munchers
Don't stuff money under your mattress. To find out why learners first complete a task determining how $24,000 in cash would affect the height of a mattress and whether this same amount would fit into a suitcase of given dimensions. They...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Matchsticks
How many matchsticks can be made from a single tree? That is the problem facing middle schoolers. Scholars first determine the volume of a matchstick given its dimensions, and then use this information to estimate the number of...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Generalizing Patterns: Table Tiles
As part of a study of geometric patterns, scholars complete an assessment task determining the number of tiles needed to cover a tabletop. They then evaluate provided sample responses to see different ways to solve the same problems.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Matching Situations, Graphs and Linear Equations
What do guitars, candles, and helicopters have in common? They're all in this resource. Learners complete an assessment task to determine the amount of profit made in a guitar class based on given information regarding variable...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Modeling: Making Matchsticks
Math: The only subject where the solution to a problem is seven million matches. Young scholars first complete an assessment task estimating the number of matches they can make from a tree of given dimensions. They then evaluate provided...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Solving Linear Equations
Linear equations are the focus of activities that ask learners to first complete a task that involves interpreting algebraic expressions and solving linear equations. They then take part in a card activity matching equations, situations,...
EngageNY
Algebra II Module 2: End-of-Module Assessment
Will this be on the test? Learners demonstrate their understanding of trigonometric functions with an end-of-module assessment. They investigate two different real-world situations, one function in pure mathematics, and one potential...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Linear Graphs
A line is a line is a line. As a middle school assessment task, learners first identify graphs of given linear equations. They then identify the equations that represent real-world situations.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Functions
Studying function means more than simply learning a formula. Learners must use functions to think through four problems and find solutions. Each task utilizes a different concept from a study of functions. Class members might use a...
EngageNY
Tides, Sound Waves, and Stock Markets
Help pupils see the world through the eyes of a mathematician. As they examine tide patterns, sound waves, and stock market patterns using trigonometric functions, learners create scatter plots and write best-fit functions.
EngageNY
Ferris Wheels—Using Trigonometric Functions to Model Cyclical Behavior
Have class members going in circles as they model the path of a Ferris Wheel using trigonometric functions. Building on the previous lesson in this series on transformations, learners use trigonometric functions to model wheels of...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Using Bar Models to Solve Rate Problems
Pupils visualize distance-rate-time problems by using bar models. The lesson presents examples of four different types of rate problems and shows how they can be solved using bar models and equations. Each example is followed by a...
EngageNY
The Motion of the Moon, Sun, and Stars—Motivating Mathematics
What does math have to do with the behavior of the earth and sun? Learn how the movement of celestial bodies has influenced the development of trigonometry. Scholars connects the details in mathematics to their real-world meaning.