Curated OER
Counting Seeds
Students practice skip counting strategies, estimation, and higher number addition. They estimate the number of seeds in bell pepper, and count seeds in groups of tens and ones after the teacher removes seeds from the pepper.
Curated OER
Using Proportions to Solve Problems
Skittles and math? Pupils will work as a class to determine how many orange Skittles are in a large bag by using proportions. They will problem solve, estimate, and share their thinking. Then, they will each receive a small bag of...
Curated OER
Skyscrapers from New York to California
Third graders use an online database to gather information on skyscrapers. Using the information, they choose one building and record its height and location. In groups, they design a city skyline including the skyscraper they choose....
Curated OER
Find the Value of Expressions Using the Order of Operations
Here is another great way to introduce order of operations using "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally." Pre-determined small groups work cooperatively to solve expressions. Afterward, they write a journal entry to explain the steps they...
Curated OER
Teaching Atomic Structure Using Cooperative Learning
Individuals in a group of four each take on a different role: atomic number expert, mass number expert, isotope expert, and nuclear atom expert. They teach each other about their area of expertise. As an assessment, a short quiz is...
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Tour de Texas
Teams of Texas tourists gather into groups to analyze what they can do with $50 worth of an alternative fuel. They write checks, keep a balance sheet, and map out their sight-seeing route taking into consideration the location of...
Curated OER
The 3R's: Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities
Eighth graders complete seven work stations that highlight math activities while they focus on the rules for Internet use and classroom rules for working in cooperative groups. After completing the activities, they complete a self-...
Curated OER
Superb Shapes and Fantastic Figures
Students compare and contrast similar two and three dimensional shapes within cooperative groups.
Curated OER
How Will You Measure Up?
Third graders use the appropriate units of measure when given a list of items to estimate and measure. They work in cooperative groups to locate, estimate, and measure given items using the correct unit of measurement.
Curated OER
Landmark Restoration Project-Scale Model Measurements
Students work in cooperative groups to find the actual measurements of an historical building/landmark. Then they use ratio and proportion to figure the measurements that might be used to create a scale model of the structure.
Curated OER
What is an Animal Group?
Students discover that people live in groups and animals live in groups or alone. They list ways that families cooperate and work together as a group. They create a large dinosaur made out of geometric shapes.
Curated OER
The Sum of Our Integer Intelligences
Young mathematicians explore integers. They review adding integers through engaging in mathematical labs. Each lab station is designed to reflect one of the multiple intelligences. Resources for all activities are provided.
Rainforest Alliance
Investments in Forest Carbon
One hundred metric tons of CO2 can accumulate in one acre of forest over time—that's a lot of carbon! In the activity, groups of middle school learners determine what makes forests important. They then solidify the concept by using a...
Curated OER
What's Shaking? Three-Lesson Unit
Your young architects use the Internet to research tall structures or sky scrapers to help in the design of their scale drawings. This is lesson one of three in which learners design, build, and test model skyscrapers for seismic safety....
Curated OER
Solving Math Problems In the Real World
Upper elementary and middles schoolers discuss and solve real world applications of math. They use formulas for volume and percents to answer real world questions. In the second part of the lesson, groups write and solve word problems....
Curated OER
"How Many Names for 100?"
Fifth graders work on the different possibilities of reaching the number 100. The class is divided into homogeneous groups for cooperative learning. The lesson plan uses discussion questions to help with problem solving.
Curated OER
Reflection/Evaluation
Students practice the skills of reflection and evaluation. In this reflection instructional activity, students are grouped together and asked to brainstorm what they have learned during a particular unit. Students decide what they want...
Curated OER
Body Balance
Examine measurable characteristics of objects to build an understanding of the different ways you can discuss an object's size when comparing it to other objects. After whole group instruction, the class compares and organizes several...
Curated OER
Try Tessellation
Most middle schoolers probably feel that quilting is at best an activity left to their grandmothers. This lesson uses the Zome modeling system to get them to realize how shapes in quilting are really tessellations and repeating patterns....
Curated OER
Finding Your Pulse Rate
Fifth graders demonstrate how to find their pulse and count the beats after a certain amount of time. In cooperative pairs, 5th graders use a stopwatch to keep track of their partner's heart rate in seconds. Pairs make a graph from their...
Curated OER
Probability - What Are the Odds?
Students study the concept of probability. In this probability lesson plan, students define probability and visit an interactive spinner website to learn about theoretical and experimental probability. Students use pennies and work in...
Curated OER
A Relatively Far Out Idea: Estimating
Students investigate methods of estimating through cooperative group activities, hands-on activities, the use of tables and graphs and an interactive video.
Curated OER
Improving Deductive Reasoning Skills
Students develop a strategy list for problem solving by working with different types of problems. They recognize problems that may be solved using deductive reasoning and solve deductive reasoning problems.
Curated OER
Dog Pen Problem
Teach your class about various approaches to solving the problem of maximizing the area of a rectangle space with a fixed perimeter in the context of a farmer's dog pen. Then, they complete a worksheet independently to summarize the...