Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: Made Up Math
Is there a way to connect creative thinking, logical reasoning, mathematical understanding, and humor? You bet there is! Kids begin by creating creative math quizzes, which require creative thinking to solve. For example, 1+1=24, one...
Illustrative Mathematics
Pennies to Heaven
Even though pennies seem to be relatively thin, stack enough of them into a single stack, and you could have quite a high stack. Enough so, that the final result can be a surprise to you as well as your class. This activity centers...
Pala Software
MathBoard
Do you want to practice arithmetic skills from simple addition facts, to cubes and square roots, to solving one-step equations? Here is a great app for practicing and learning everything from arithmetic practice using integers to solving...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
What a find! Here is a lesson, designed to meet sixth grade math Common Core standards, that focuses on the calculation of different measures of center for the scores from a penalty shoot-out competition. An independent...
Yummy Math
Diapers
Most of your students probably think a car or college is the first big expense their parents could help them with, but as it turns out these kids have been costing their parents for their whole lives. Have they ever considered how much...
Curated OER
Linear and Exponential Functions
This comprehensive unit on linear and exponential functions provides numerous clearly-written worksheets. Topics include graphing linear equations, solving systems of equations algebraically and by graphing, identifying the domain and...
Curated OER
Mt. Whitney to Death Valley
This is an intriguing problem that brings together real-world data, technology, and mathematical problem solving. If visibility wasn't an issue, could you see from the highest point in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney, to the lowest...
Curated OER
Strict Parents
Are your parents or guardians strict? That's an interesting question many of your pupils are probably interested in discussing. How do you design a study directed at your high schooler to gain insight into that question? How do you...
Curated OER
Analyzing Congruence Proofs
Looking at numerous examples of triangles, each with different properties, geometers develop their understanding of congruency. They use the notation of a counter-example to disprove certain conjectures and prove geometric theorems and...
Curated OER
Interpreting Algebraic Expressions
Interpreting algebraic expressions is a fundamental skill in beginning algebra. This lesson approaches the task in numerous ways. First, learners assess their understanding with a short worksheet on converting between words and...
Yummy Math
Glowing Rectangles?
Middle school math masters use ratios to determine the missing dimensions of various HD television screens. They also compare different dimensions of screens and determine whether or not they fit the same ratio. They perform similar...
Curated OER
Mathemafish Population
It's shark week! In this problem, young mathematically minded marine biologists need to study the fish population by analyzing data over time. The emphasis is on understanding the average rate of change of the population and drawing...
Curated OER
Population and Food Supply
What does it mean for something to grow exponentially, and how does that compare to linear growth? This activity tries to help learners gain an understanding of these concepts while modeling real-world problems. Linear and exponential...
Curated OER
Two Squares are Equal
This problem is sure to get your young mathematicians thinking. The idea sounds simple: one equation, solve it as many ways as you can. This is meant to get at a deeper understanding of solving quadratic equations, including some more...
Curated OER
Wants and Needs
Here is an outstanding lesson plan on wants versus needs designed for 1st graders. Pupils listen to the book, Something Good which presents themes on wants, needs, choice, resources, and counting money. Pupils complete worksheets...
Yummy Math
Going to the Game (systems)
Seven real-life math problems require the solving of simultaneous pairs of linear equations. Although a similar approach is taken for most of the problems, the topic of sports stadium concessions should keep the interest level high. As a...
Delaware Math Cadre Elementary Committee
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
How to use the relationship between multiplication and division to solve math word problems is the focus of the lesson presented here. In it, fourth graders work in groups to solve problems posed by the teacher. Then, each group is given...
Curated OER
Barter vs. Money
First graders listen to the book, Sheep in a Shop, that leads them to think about making financial decisions, trading, and the barter system. After the book is read aloud, a discussion ensues about some of the things that the sheep...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Dimension Dances
Use dance to help learners conceptualize line segments, rays, lines, and planes. They choreograph dances that show dimensional space. Dancers start by pondering space, point, and lines as the teacher draws them in the air. Each movement...
Curated OER
Modeling Conditional Probabilities 1: Lucky Dip
Check out this detailed lesson plan on conditional probability! Learners work individually and also collaboratively to analyze the fairness of a game and justify their reasoning. it includes detailed notes and many helpful suggestions...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Sorting Equations of Circles 2
How much can you tell about a circle from its equation? This detailed lesson plan focuses on connecting equations and graphs of circles. Learners use equations to identify x- and y-intercepts, centers, and radii of circles. They also...
Curated OER
Rational and Irrational Numbers 1
You'll need scissors, glue sticks, and mini whiteboards for this activity on rational and irrational numbers. Learners work in groups to classify a variety of expressions as rational or irrational. They are also given a mock discussion...
Curated OER
Identifying Lines of Symmetry and Creating Reflections over a Line
Fifth graders review the concept of a line of symmetry by using pieces of paper that have pictures such as, letters of the alphabet, polygons, and designs made from polygons in order to determine if they have symmetry. The fine, two-hour...
Ocean Explorer
Living with the Heat
Young oceanographers study the Submarine Ring of Fire, which is a series of deep-water volcanic vents that come up from the ocean floor. Learners take a close look at the unique ecosystems that are associated with these areas, how these...