Curated OER
Where in the World? The Basics of Latitude and Longitude
Students are introduced to the concepts of latitude and longitude. In groups, they identify the Earth's magnetic field and the disadvantages of using compasses for navigation. They identify the major lines of latitude and longitude on a...
Shakespeare in American Life
Tom Hanks and Caliban: Survivor Superstars
Here’s a clever way to combine language arts and social studies. Shakespeare’s The Tempest is believed to have been inspired by the wreck of the Sea Venture on Bermuda in 1609. The class views a brief scene from Castaway in which Tom...
MARS, Shell Center, University of Nottingham
Defining Regions Using Inequalities
Your young graphers will collaboratively play their way to a better understanding of the solution set produced by the combining of inequalities. Cooperation and communication are emphasized by the teacher asking questions to guide the...
Curated OER
The Next Dimension
Students explore the three dimensional Cartesian coordinate system and discuss how it is important for structural engineers in order to be able to describe locations in space to fellow engineers. They participate in a hands-on activity...
Curated OER
Finding the Way
Students identify and research navigational tools used in deep sea explorations. They are introduced to a compass, the Global Positioning System and sonar technology and then describe their uses in underwater exploration.
Mathed Up!
Transformation of Graphs
In what ways can you transform a graph? An engaging video answers this question as it covers reflections, translations, and stretches of graphs. To test their knowledge, individuals complete a set of problems to apply this knowledge.
Curated OER
Distance Formula
Students watch teacher demonstration of distance formula, view non-collinear cities on maps, plot points on coordinate plane, evaluate square roots, compute distance between two points, and use Heron's formula to find area of triangles.
Curated OER
Where Did It Come From?
Students research island formation, plot locations on a map and make an analysis of why some islands are formed where they are.
Noyce Foundation
Photographs
Scaling needs to be picture perfect. Pupils use proportional reasoning to find the missing dimension of a photo. Class members determine the sizes of paper needed for two configurations of pictures in the short assessment task.
Illustrative Mathematics
Why Does SSS Work?
While it may seem incredibly obvious to the geometry student that congruent sides make congruent triangles, the proving of this by definition actually takes a bit of work. This exercise steps the class through this kind of proof by...
Curated OER
Location, Location, Location: Using a Grid to Determine Context
Seventh graders are introduced to making inferences about artifacts. Using a grid system, they locate the artifacts and determine where they originated from. They use this information to make conclusions about the way people lived...
Noyce Foundation
Snail Pace
Slow and steady wins the race? In the assessment task, scholars calculate the rates at which different snails travel in order to find the fastest snail. Hopefully, your class will move much more quickly in finishing the task!
Curated OER
Gridding An Archaeological Site
Students investigate using some of the basic skills of an archaeologist while using a Cartesian coordinate system. They establish a grid system for a dig site and determine the locations for different artifacts. Students use the...
Curated OER
2 x 2
Students work together to grid a 2 x 2 meter unit using the formula for the Pythagorean Theorem. After creating the grid, they identify the location of artifacts and create a map of their location. They develop a graph and table of their...
EngageNY
Projecting a 3-D Object onto a 2-D Plane
Teach how graphic designers can use mathematics to represent three-dimensional movement on a two-dimensional television surface. Pupils use matrices, vectors, and transformations to model rotational movement. Their exploration involves...
K12 Reader
Absolute Location
Where in the world are we? As a reading comprehension exercise, kids read a short passage about navigation using latitude and longitude, and then respond to a series of questions based on the article.
Curated OER
Where is ? ? ? ?
Young scholars explain and explain the concept of a grid system. They define absolute and relative location and develop an imaginary city on graph paper using a grid system.
Curated OER
Lines in the Plane
Students differentiate between parallel and perpendicular lines. In this algebra instructional activity, students graph linear equations using the slope intercept form. They classify lines based on their slopes.
Curated OER
Why Archaeologists Dig Square Holes
Students examine how archaeologists establish and maintain the context of artifacts. They interpret a plan view of an archaeological site and explain the importance of the grid system.