Improving Measurement and Geometry in Elementary Schools
The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Polygon
Junior geometers discover that polygons can be decomposed into triangles and that the number of triangles can be determined by a rule. Note that the Geometer’s Sketchpad® software is required to carry out all components of this...
Curated OER
Property Lists for Quadrilaterals
Young scholars establish classifications of shapes by various properties (angles, sides, etc.). They introduce the important properties of common shapes. Students develop an awareness of the wide variety of ways the 2-D shapes can be alike.
Utah Education Network (UEN)
It's All Just Similar to Me
Middle schoolers explore the concept of similar figures. In this similar figures instructional activity, pupils calculate scale factors of similar triangles. They find missing sides of triangles, and measure angles using protractors and...
Curated OER
Play It
There are a number of activities here that look at representing data in different ways. One activity, has young data analysts conduct a class survey regarding a new radio station, summarize a data set, and use central tendencies to...
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Student Census
Students collect data from their peers and store the information in a database. As students manage the information they realize the usefulness of a database as a tool to manage large amounts of information in an efficient and accurate...
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Triangle Inequality
Students discover that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the third side. They are shown how a triangle is formed using three strips such as that the triangle is seen inside the strips.
Illustrative Mathematics
Comparing Rational and Irrational Number
Algebra learners must know how to use rational numbers to approximate irrationals. This resource asks participants to decide which number is larger without using a calculator. It makes a great exercise to use as a five-minute transition...
California Academy of Science
Building Better Buses: Transportation Design Challenges
Scholars learn about a series of three challenges when they design a bus system for a small town. They determine the bus routes and then figure out the best type of fuel to use before considering the cost of going electric. Learners...
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Multiplication Algorithm (1)
Third graders in a 3rd grade math class make connections from prior instruction and mastery to solve problems in new learning situations. Using logical thinking and prior knowledge to solve current math problems is the focus of this...
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Getting to the Bottom of the Pyramids
Students work together to develop logical arguments about pyramids and chain letters. They share their ideas with other groups and create a diagram showing the breakdown. They discuss the results.
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The Farmer's Sheep
Students use problem solving skills, logical thinking, and their ability to work sequentially in order to solve an algebra problem. They listen to the problem read aloud by the teacher and devise a plan in order to solve the problem.
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Adam's Watch
Third graders use their watches to tell the time while the teacher lists their responses on the board along with the reasons for them (set incorrectly, gain/lose time). They solve the problem in pairs and focus their thinking on the...
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Patterns
Second graders create an ABAB pattern with their name. In this early elementary math instructional activity, 2nd graders first model their names in an ABAB pattern with unifix cubes. They then recreate the pattern using letter stamps on...
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My Son is Naughty
Students find factors of numbers; work systematically; and use logic to explain away certain possible number combinations. They then devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically.
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Venn Diagram with Blocks
Fifth graders classify blocks according to their attributes. In this math lesson, 5th graders will identify attributes of blocks, sort them, then form the groups into a Venn Diagram, and write ratios using the attributes.
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Missing Square
In this missing square worksheet, students find the missing square amongst a group of numbers with the number that logically belongs there. Students complete 1 problem.
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Divided We Stand
Students figure out how to arrange seating in a concert hall given specific requirements. They better explain how dividing can allow us to arrive at mathematical solutions quickly and logically.
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Noughts
Students try to figure out the strategies to the game Noughts. Students logic must play a part in the process of the game. Students apply the symmetries of regular polygons. Students devise ways to critically follow a chain of reasoning.
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Bubblegum balls
Learners look for patterns to solve problems involving statistics using different colored gumballs. They should be able to look for and find out all the possible outcomes based upon inference and trials.
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Not So Snappy 4
In this math worksheet, students work out the word problems in an attempt to use the skills of logic and deduction to arrive at the correct solution.
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Legs in the Barn
Students listen to the problem being read. They then brainstorm possible approaches and are encouraged to plan ways of recording their work so that others examine what they have done and share their findings.
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The Rock Pool
Third graders use number sense and appropriate problem solving techniques to solve the assigned problems. They write out the solutions to the assigned problems. They work in groups to solve the problem before reporting back to the whole...
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Robots
Fourth graders devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check, make a drawing, use equipment). The use of logical reasoning is a focus of this lesson.
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Finding Satisfactory Solutions
Students explore the creative aspects of problem-solving and practice creative problem-solving strategies in the context of a story problem. They decide where to locate ice cream stands in a town so that no one has to travel too far to...