Curated OER
The Distributive Property
MIddle schoolers use the distributive property to combine terms in six expressions. They write nine expressions in simplest form. Young scholars perform one mental math problem, describing how they would solve the multiplication mentally.
Curated OER
More Physical Education in 2002 #152
Challenge your class with this problem-solving experience. Learners design a way to add more periods of physical education in the school week without building more gyms. Then, fifth and sixth graders make a list of ideas and choose one....
Curated OER
Jessica's Aquarium
Sixth graders use problem solving strategies to determine the amount of gravel needed to fill the bottom of an aquarium that is 50 cm long, 20 cm wide, and 30 cm high. Students use centimeter cubes and brainstorm strategies they might...
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip
Are we there yet? Young trip planners learn about their state and plan a trip. They will select sites to see in three cities in their state, and record associated costs in a spreadsheet. While this was originally designed as a...
Curated OER
Dragon Boat Teamwork Action Card
Young scholars gather information about the Dragon Boats teams and races. They discuss what makes a winning combination for rowing teams and apply conclusions to their lives. They then problem solve fabrication of an animated dragon boat...
Curated OER
Way to Go Bananas
Fifth graders explore bananas. In this interdisciplinary lesson, 5th graders discover the dietary benefits of bananas, complete a fruits word search, write banana myths, research banana recipes, and use their problem solving skills to...
EngageNY
Tables of Equivalent Ratios
Don't table the discussion on equivalent ratios — do it now! Scholars create tables of equivalent ratios to represent contextual problems. Pupils go on to use the tables to answer questions within the context. The lesson is ninth in a...
EngageNY
From Ratio Tables to Equations Using the Value of a Ratio
Use the value of a ratio to set up equations. The teacher leads a discussion on determining equations from ratio tables in the 13th portion of a 29-part series. Pupils determine which of two equations to use to find the solution. They...
Government of Hong Kong
Areas and Volumes - 2D Shapes
Unfortunately for young mathematicians, the world isn't made entirely of parallelograms, triangles, and trapezoids. After first learning the area formulas for these common shapes, students apply this new knowledge to determine the area...
EngageNY
Distance on the Coordinate Plane
Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to coordinate geometry. Learners find the distance between two points on a coordinate plane by using the Pythagorean Theorem. The vertical and horizontal change creates a right triangle, which allows...
Georgia Department of Education
Math Class
Young analysts use real (provided) data from a class's test scores to practice using statistical tools. Not only do learners calculate measures of center and spread (including mean, median, deviation, and IQ range), but also use this...
Curated OER
Math: The Cathedral Project
Second graders take a field trip to a nearby church or other historical building and examine it from a mathematical perspective. In groups, they calculate the seating capacity, describe the window patterns, differentiate types of...
Illustrative Mathematics
Christo’s Building
Hook your charges on how to solve a real-world art problem with mathematics by showing works of Christo. You can find eye-catching images on the Christo and Jeanne Claude webpage. Here, math learners help Jean Claude and Christo prepare...
Illustrative Mathematics
Are These Right?
Is that a right triangle or a wrong triangle? Young mathematicians look at eleven different shapes and use a measuring tool of their choice to determine which triangles have right angles. Consider cutting out sets of the shapes to...
American Library Association
Even and Odd Numbers: Lesson Plans and Sample Problems
If your youngsters are new to numbers, here are several interactive strategies to get them thinking about even and odd numbers. For example, they can count the number of desks, people, etc. in the room and determine if it is even or odd....
Virginia Department of Education
Pythagorean Theorem
Investigate the meaning of the Pythagorean Theorem through modeling. After comparing the area of the square of each side, individuals cut triangles and squares to facilitate the comparison.
Curated OER
Math On Your Lap Quilt
Get creative juices flowing when you allow groups to figure out a procedure for how to find the area of squares and rectangles. They may use the individual patchwork blocks, or they may design one using the Design Template.
Curated OER
Space Shuttle's Heat Shield Problem
Learners participate in a role-play activity to determine how to replace heat shields on the space shuttle using polar coordinates.
Illustrative Mathematics
Jim and Jesse's Money
Jim and Jesse started their road trip with the same amount of money. Your class must find the amount of money each one had given, the amount of money spent, and the ratio of money at the end. This is a comprehensive problem that takes...
EngageNY
Modeling Riverbeds with Polynomials (part 1)
Many things in life take the shape of a polynomial curve. Learners design a polynomial function to model a riverbed. Using different strategies, they find the flow rate through the river.
Curated OER
Math, Calories and You
Discover the connection between calories and weight. Pupils multiply their body weight times calorie estimates for various physical activities to calculate calories burned per minute and per hour. Worksheets a well as website links are...
Curated OER
Cuisenaire Chefs
Favorite family recipes and cuisenaire rods are used to help learners understand fractions. They bring in recipes from home and then use their cuisenaire rods to model the fractional values needed to prepare various dishes. A great way...
Curated OER
The Circumference of a Circle and the Area of the Region it Encloses
Bring your math class around with this task. Learners simply identify parts of a given circle, compute its radius, and estimate the circumference and area. It is a strong scaffolding exercise in preparation for applying the formulas for...
EngageNY
Evaluating Reports Based on Data from a Sample
Statistics can be manipulated to say what you want them to say. Teach your classes to be wise consumers and sort through the bias in those reports. Young statisticians study different statistical reports and analyze them for misleading...