Curated OER
Solving Equations (Combined and Applications)
Seventh graders, after completing a warm up on if you have three more diamonds than two times what Jon has, and you have 17 diamonds, how many diamonds does Jon have?, generalize a method for solving algebraic equations to model a given...
Curated OER
Multiplication Snack Activity
Youngsters study multiplication facts by manipulating food in order to problem solve. They will use healthy snack items as manipulatives to solve various multiplication equations. Charts, tables, physical models, and so much more are...
Curated OER
Skate Party
Learners use the Frayer model during problem solving. In this problem solving instructional activity, they examine multiple methods of data collection to solve real world problems. Resources are provided.
Curated OER
Multiplication Mysteries
Arithmetic apprentices practice problem solving and multiplication with a lift-the-flap pair of reproducibles. In this Halloween mathematics lesson plan, math monsters practice multiplication by making candy corn calculations. They...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Modeling Division of Fractions
Introduce young mathematicians to the process of dividing fractions with a hands-on math instructional activity. Using the help of fraction strips and other visual models, children work through a series of example problems as they deepen...
Rational Number Project
Initial Fraction Ideas Lesson 22: Overview
Have young mathematicians subtracting fractions in no time with this manipulative-based math lesson. Using their sets of fraction circles, students explore a number of word problems involving the subtraction of fractions before working...
EngageNY
Overcoming Obstacles in Factoring
What do you do when factoring doesn't work? Learners complete the square when faced with quadratic expression that don't factor traditionally. They then use factoring by grouping to solve polynomial equations.
Curated OER
Walk-A-Thon
Students graph linear http://www.lessonplanet.com/review?id=180542equations. For this problem solving lesson, students calculate slope and plot ordered pairs on a coordinate grid. Using a real-life example of a walk-a-thon, students...
Curated OER
Finding the Area of Shapes
In this area of shapes unit, upper graders participate in hands-on problem solving activities to find the formulas for the area of a parallelogram, a triangle, and a trapezoid. They manipulate the geoboard to explore relationships among...
EngageNY
Unknown Angle Proofs—Proofs with Constructions
Provide your emerging mathematicians with the tools to learn as they incorporate auxiliary lines to solve unknown angle proofs in this continuing segment. They decipher information from a diagram to uncover the missing pieces and...
Curated OER
12 Days of Christmas
Students utilize different problem-solving strategies and creative writing when dealing with the words from the song, "12 Days of Christmas." They try to problem solve how may presents were given and then explain their sequence in the...
Curated OER
Patterns and Pentominoes
Students solve pentomino puzzles. For this problem solving lesson, students discuss how pentomino puzzles play into the plot of Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and practice solving a pentomino puzzle on their own. Students will...
Curated OER
Box It Up
Students use a six-step problem solving method to design a box/container. They are given the criteria for evaluation when presented with the problem. Students keep a notebook on processes, procedures, material, cost, design, machines,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Margie Buys Apples
One of the most common, everyday applications of math is dealing with money. This single problem calculating how much change Margie receives is more involved than it appears at first glance. An understanding of how fractions and decimals...
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Jack and the Beanstalk: Measurement Ideas
Have fun with Jack and his beanstalk! Primary learners will practice skills at various activity centers, including: weight measurement, money, art, nonstandard length measurement, problem solving, music, reading, and writing. Every...
Curated OER
Green Stuff: Designing an Earth-Friendly Room
In this activity students explore earth-friendly materials that can be used in home environments. They learn about the relationship between the environment and design, and use a variety of problem-solving strategies. They work in...
Curated OER
Find 2/3
This short problem with representing fractions on a number line is more than meets the eye. Labeled only with the numbers zero and 1/4, a number line is used to locate the fraction 2/3. A solution can be found in multiple ways, but young...
EngageNY
Conducting a Simulation to Estimate the Probability of an Event II
Add some randomization into simulations. The 11th installment in a series of 25 presents two new methods to use in simulations--colored disks, and random numbers. Pupils use random numbers to run simulations where the probabilities make...
Illustrative Mathematics
Two Wheels and a Belt
Geometry gets an engineering treatment in an exercise involving a belt wrapped around two wheels of different dimensions. Along with the wheels, this belt problem connects concepts of right triangles, tangent lines, arc length, and...
EngageNY
The Special Role of Zero in Factoring
Use everything you know about quadratic equations to solve polynomial equations! Learners apply the Zero Product Property to factor and solve polynomial equations. They make a direct connection to methods they have used with quadratic...
Curated OER
Jon and Charlie's Run
Let's use math to solve an argument. Jon and Charlie are debating about who can run farther, but who is right? That's what your class will figure out as they apply their understanding of fractions to this real-life situation. A simple,...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Properties of Multiplication
Unlock the keys to fluent multiplication with this upper-elementary math instructional activity. After an introduction to the five properties of multiplication, students match cards with different math problems to posters describing each...
Illustrative Mathematics
Extensions, Bisections and Dissections in a Rectangle
Gaining practice in translating a verbal description into a diagram and then an equation is the real point of this similar triangles exercise. Once the diagram is drawn, multiple methods are provided to reach the conclusion. An effective...
Teach Engineering
Bone Mineral Density Math and Beer's Law
Hop into a resource on Beer's Law. A PowerPoint presentation introduces Beer's law as part of calculating bone density from X-ray images in the sixth instructional activity in the series of seven. Individuals work on practice problems...