Radford University
Finding the Largest Possible Area
If you want a bigger garden, here's a task for you. Given the perimeter of a triangular garden, scholars determine the largest possible area. They then generalize their findings and extend the idea to other polygons.
Radford University
“Putt-Putt” For The Geometry of It!
Take a swing at the task. Using their knowledge of polygons and solids, scholars design one hole of a miniature golf course. They calculate areas and perimeters, determine the cost of building the holes, make scale drawings, and create...
Radford University
Sand Castle
Don't let the task slip through your fingers like sand. Scholars design sand castles using hemispheres, pyramids, cones, and cylinders of different sizes. They calculate the volume and surface area and consider how changing the...
Radford University
Staircases and Ramps
Ramp up the study of slope. The class participates in a discussion about the physical aspects of stairs and ramps they encounter. Small groups work together and measure a staircase and corresponding ramp to calculate the slope of each....
Radford University
Class Fundraising Committee
Given the task of coming up with a fundraiser, small groups determine the type of fundraiser to hold and restraints on the number of participants. The classmates create inequalities to represent the constraints and graph the solution to...
Radford University
The Next Big Thing
Make sure the next product is a hit. An engaging task has scholars design an item to sell at a sports event and then conduct a marketing survey. They decide whether to use random sampling, stratified sampling, or cluster sampling, and...
Curated OER
Demonstrating That Air Has Mass
Fourth graders demonstrate that air has mass. For this performance task, 4th graders design an experiment to demonstrate that air has mass. They will illustrate their demonstration and explain their findings.
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...
Fraction Bars
Multiplying Fractions Times Whole Numbers and Fractions
Fifth graders make the connections using models between multiplying a fraction times a whole number and multiplying a fraction times a fraction. After completing three teacher-led activities, pupils access a website on their own to play...
Curated OER
M 2 = Math Mediator
Learners are given instruction on how the class will work. In this math class lesson, students are given a breakdown of what is expected of them on a daily basis. They are given basic math problems as an introduction to the class.
Curated OER
Speed Challenge
In this science worksheet, students create a race track and mark each distance as stated. Then they perform each task and record the time it takes them for each. Students also record their data from the experiment into the chart...
Curated OER
Metrically Me!
Young scholars define the parts of a database, search strategies to locate information electronically, create/modify databases, etc. and enter data into a prepared spreadsheet to perform calculations.
Illustrative Mathematics
Representing Half of a Circle
Geometric shapes make great visual models for introducing young mathematicians to the concept of fractions. Looking at a series of four circles, learners are asked to determine whether or not one half of each circle is shaded. To support...
Noyce Foundation
Apple Farm Field Trip
Monitor the growth of young mathematicians with a comprehensive addition and subtraction assessment. Using the context of a class field trip to an apple orchard, this series of four story problems allows children to demonstrate their...
Illustrative Mathematics
Ants Versus Humans
You would think that humans make up more mass than ants do on this planet, but think again, and this time by performing calculations. Middle schoolers use scientific notation to compute and compare the estimated total mass of all humans...
Illustrative Mathematics
Roll & Build
Develop young mathematicians' understanding of place value with this hands-on math activity. Working in pairs, learners take turns building two-digit numbers by rolling two ten-sided dice. Base ten blocks are then used to model the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Pick Two
Learning to break apart numbers into smaller pairs is a critical step young mathematicians take as they develop their number sense. To practice this skill, children are provided with sets of three numbers and are asked to pick the two...
Illustrative Mathematics
Calculating and Rounding Numbers
Mathematicians need to know that not all numbers are rational. We approximate irrational number with rational numbers. That is why a calculator may be misleading. This task give learners an opportunity to see how rounding a number and...
Curated OER
Cutting Expenses
Learners explore budgeting. In this finance and math lesson, students brainstorm ways in which households could save money. Learners view websites that give cost reducing ideas. Students complete an expense comparison chart and use the...
CCSS Math Activities
Sandwich Shop
Eat up the task on systems of equations. Given information on the total number of sandwiches and the total income, learners write and solve a linear system of equations to find the number of each type of sandwich sold at a shop. They...
Illustrative Mathematics
Measure Me!
How many unifix cubes tall are you? If you're not sure, then perform this math activity with your class and find out. Working in pairs, young mathematicians make measuring sticks out of unifix cubes in order to determine the length of...
Illustrative Mathematics
What’s Missing?
Now you see them, now you don't! This fun peek-a-boo activity engages young mathematicians in developing their ability to compose and decompose numbers. After being presented with a series of counters, children close their eyes while the...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Volume and Surface Area
Build boxes using unit cubes to compare surface area and volume. The group performs multiple experiments to determine properties of volume, such as if it makes a difference which order the dimensions are multiplied in. Extensive...
Education Institute
Four Mathematics Lessons for Grade 9
These four lesson plans build algebra skills for working with numbers in exponential form and for examining triangles. Be aware that in the text, scientific notation is referred to as index notation and the laws of exponents as the laws...