EngageNY
How Far Away Is the Moon?
Does the space shuttle have an odometer? Maybe, but all that is needed to determine the distance to the moon is a little geometry! The lesson asks scholars to sketch the relationship of the Earth and moon using shadows of an eclipse....
Curated OER
To the North: A Black Family Leaves Arkansas to Find Work in Michigan
Upper elementary and middle school scholars study the economic factors that caused so many Arkansans to migrate to different parts of the country looking for work. Use this history lesson plan to help your charges gain a better...
Curated OER
Finding Common Denominators to Subtract
Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators can be overwhelming, but in this task, 5th graders work systematically to break down the procedure through three questions. The first two questions ask for pictures to be drawn along with...
Illustrative Mathematics
Origami Stars
This one problem concentrates on the important concept of dividing a whole number by a unit fraction. Here, young mathematicians use pictures they draw to help answer this problem. Insight into the connection between multiplication and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Toilet Roll
Potty humor is always a big hit with the school-age crowd, and potty algebra takes this topic to a whole new level. Here the class develops a model that connects the dimensions (radii, paper thickness, and length of paper) of a common...
Curated OER
Blazing the Trail
Learning about proportions through measuring and mapping distances is the focus of this real-world math instructional activity that doubles as an activity. Mathematicians complete a course designed to measure and map locations in order...
Curated OER
Rewriting Equations &Formulas
Practice with literal equations. Solve for one variable in terms of another. Find the value of y given specific values of x. This short instructional activity would make a good warm-up activity at the beginning of class or a quick...
Curated OER
How Sharp Is Your Memory?
Students play a memory game as they explore reasoning. In this algebra lesson, students identify concepts using pictures and words. They model real life scenarios using hands on manipulatives.
Curated OER
Dimensional Analysis
In this mathematics instructional activity, students apply dimensional analysis to solving each problem. They identify the conversion factor and describe a unique characteristic of a conversion factor. Students also identify the unit in...
Curated OER
Using Proof in Algebra
For this using proofs in algebra worksheet, 10th graders solve 2 proofs by applying the many rules from algebra for the Properties of Equality for real numbers. They name the property that justifies each statement as seen in the...
Illustrative Mathematics
High School Graduation
An exercise in finding the approximate time that a name would be called at a graduation. Estimating time may be difficult for some of the class, so this resource would not be a good choice for learning this standard. It does end with a...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Creating Polygons
Students describe, make and compare polygons. In this creating polygons lesson, students identify properties of quadrilaterals and describe common features of two dimensional shapes.
Curated OER
The Part-adder 1
Second graders investigate the addition of whole numbers. They mentally perform calculations involving addition and subtraction. They make sensible estimates and check the reasonableness of answers.
Curated OER
The Take-Awar Bar 1
Students use an Internet tool, "The Take-Away Bar" to solve subtraction problems by breaking them into parts. They write and solve comparison problems. Students make sensible estimates and check the reasonableness of answers. They use...
Curated OER
Making Money and Spreading the Flu!
Paper folding, flu spreading in a school, bacteria growth, and continuously compounded interest all provide excellent models to study exponential functions. This is a comprehensive resource that looks at many different aspects of these...
Curated OER
Applying Properties to Variables
Eighth graders combine like terms in this properties of variables lesson plan. Using named items (stars, moons and hearts), they combine like terms using variables. They use the distributive property to combine like terms. Finally, they...
Curated OER
Earth Moon Scaling
A wonderful lesson incorporating math and physics skills along with specific details about the planetary bodies. The cross-curricular approach makes for a valid activity to challenge multiple ages and abilities. Your class could work in...
Achieve
Corn and Oats
How much land does a parcel hold? How much fertilizer does it take for a field of corn? Pupils answer these questions and more as they apply ratio reasoning and unit analysis.
EduGAINs
Ratio and Proportion
Do these items have the same ratio? Through a learning contract, pupils master proportions by practicing proportions via word problems, graphs, and with manipulatives. An exit ticket checks for understanding at the end of the...
Inside Mathematics
Archery
Put the better archer in a box. The performance task has pupils compare the performance of two archers using box-and-whisker plots. The resource includes sample responses that are useful in comparing individuals' work to others.
Inside Mathematics
Graphs (2006)
When told to describe a line, do your pupils list its color, length, and which side is high or low? Use a worksheet that engages scholars to properly label line graphs. It then requests two applied reasoning answers.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Calculating Volumes of Compound Objects
After determining the volume of various drinking glasses , class members evaluate sample responses to the same task to identify errors in reasoning.
Achieve
Ground Beef
Ever wonder how a butcher creates the different types of ground beef? Young mathematicians explore the methods butchers use to create their desired ground beef quality. Given a combination of two types of meat with varying leanness,...
Education Development Center
Word Problem with Rational Numbers—Balancing Bars of Soap
Here's a resource teachers won't want to wash their hands of. Given a task where a full bar of soap is on one side of a balance and 3/4 of a bar of soup and a 3/4-ounce weight is on the other side, young mathematicians must determine the...