Curated OER
Creating Open-ended Problems in Algebra
Creating open-ended algebra problems can help students develop the critical thinking skills they need.
Willow Tree
Problem Solving
School subjects connect when your young scholars use math to edit English. Math allows you to convert an entire paragraph into a simple equation or inequality. Examples encourage learners to write expressions, equations, and inequalities...
EngageNY
Population Problems
Find the percent of the population that meets the criteria. The 17th segment of a 20-part unit presents problems that involve percents of a population. Pupils use tape diagrams to create equations to find the percents of subgroups of the...
Curated OER
The "Heart" of the Problem
Students explore mathematical operations while studying nutrition. For this physical fitness lesson, students explore calories, pulse rate, and the circulatory system. Students use mathematical data to create a healthy physical fitness...
EngageNY
Read Expressions in Which Letters Stand for Numbers
Pencil in the resource on writing verbal phrases into your lesson plans. The 15th installment of a 36-part module has scholars write verbal phases for algebraic expressions. They complete a set of problems to solidify this skill.
Illustrative Mathematics
Equal Area Triangles on the Same Base II
A deceptively simple question setup leads to a number of attack methods and a surprisingly sophisticated solution set in this open-ended problem. Young geometers of different strengths can go about defining the solutions graphically,...
EngageNY
Wishful Thinking—Does Linearity Hold? (Part 2)
Trying to find a linear transformation is like finding a needle in a haystack. The second lesson in the series of 32 continues to explore the concept of linearity started in the first lesson. The class explores trigonometric, rational,...
5280 Math
Factory Functions
Solve a real-life problem using function-building skills. Presented with an open-ended question, scholars complete a checklist to create and justify a solution in an interesting algebra project. The checklist asks for justifications of...
EngageNY
Piecewise Functions
Show your class members that if they can graph a linear function, they can graph an absolute value function. Groups create an absolute value graph using a table, then entertain the idea of an absolute value function defined as two pieces...
EngageNY
Why Stay with Whole Numbers?
Domain can be a tricky topic, especially when you relate it to context, but here is a lesson that provides concrete examples of discrete situations and those that are continuous. It also addresses where the input values should begin and...
EngageNY
Classification of Solutions
Is there one, none, or more? Through discussion or activity, scholars find the properties of an equation that will determine the number of solutions. They then use the properties discovered to figure out the number of solutions for a...
California Education Partners
Least and Greatest
Squares can be magic. Pupils use their knowledge of addition of positive and negative rational numbers to create a 3 X 3 magic square where the sums are 1. Scholars create addition and multiplication expressions with a set of rational...
Fredonia State University of New York
Watch Your Step…You May Collide!
Can two lines intersect at more than one point? Using yarn, create two lines on the floor of the classroom to find out. Cooperative groups work through the process of solving systems of equations using task cards and three different...
Curated OER
The "Heart" of the Problem
Students create an exercise and nutrition program. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students use calculations of exercises plus their corresponding effects on the body and nutritional values of food to derive a health plan. Students...
5280 Math
Polygon Polynomials
Patterns in polygons lead to patterns in polynomials. Presented with a series of polygons, individuals create polynomial expressions to represent their patterns. The algebra project consists of nine problems that incorporate polynomial...
Curated OER
Accounting
Students create bank reconciliation spreadsheet. In this algebra instructional activity, students discuss the basics about business, money and bank accounts. They use a bank reconciliation statement correctly.
Curated OER
Patterns In Hexagon Tables
Sixth graders construct a rule about the number of sides found in a pattern of hexagons. In this mathematical problem solving lesson, 6th graders observe different hexagon patterns and create a rule about the relationship between the...
Curated OER
Algebraic Equations
Fifth graders are introduced to a variety of basic equations. As a class, they are shown a balance scale and have them add the same amount of weight to balance it. To end the instructional activity, they use cups and counters to create...
Curated OER
Set Design
Young scholars explore proportional reasoning. In this middle school mathematics instructional activity students investigate scale drawings as they create a proportional representation for the carvings on Mt. Rushmore.
Curated OER
How High Are the Clouds?
Learners analyze height and collect data to create a graph. In this statistics lesson, students use central tendencies to analyze their data and make predictions. They apply concept of statistics to other areas of academics to make a...
Virginia Department of Education
Give or Take a Few
Young mathematicians extend their knowledge of rational numbers on a number line to graph inequalities by first using number cards to compare rational numbers. They finish by using similar reasoning to graph inequalities on a number line.
Curated OER
Choosing a College
How can mathematics help scholars choose a college? High schoolers learn how they can use decision matrices to rank colleges based on selected criteria. They also see how to weigh criteria using multiplication of the decision matrix by a...