Illustrative Mathematics
Lines of Symmetry for Quadrilaterals
Explore how lines of symmetry help define different categories of quadrilaterals. Looking at a square, rectangle, trapezoid, and parallelogram, young mathematicians discover that each shape has its own, unique symmetry. Encourage your...
Illustrative Mathematics
Finding an Unknown Angle
Teach your class how to apply their knowledge of geometry as they explore the unknown. In order to find an unknown angle, learners must understand that rectangles have four interior right angles, that right angles have 90 degrees, and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Plastic Building Blocks
Let's build a castle! Dennis and Cody have big plans, but do they have enough blocks between the two of them to accomplish their goal? A great context that requires students to add and compare mixed numbers. Encourage the use of pictures...
Illustrative Mathematics
Lines of Symmetry for Triangles
What can symmetry tell us about triangles? After looking at four examples, learners will come to realize that lines of symmetry are different for equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles. Use this guided practice activity as an...
Illustrative Mathematics
Ordering 4-digit Numbers
Place value is a concept that sets a foundation for mathematical understanding. Ordering these sets of three- and four-digit numbers will help to strengthen that foundation. A great independent practice worksheet or short assessment to...
Illustrative Mathematics
Doubling Numerators and Denominators
Understanding the meaning of fractions is a challenge for many young learners. These two questions examine what happens when the numerator and denominator of a fraction are doubled. Consider allowing students to discuss their ideas...
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...
Illustrative Mathematics
Comparing Two Different Pizzas
What better way to learn about fractions than with a couple pizzas? Help Jessica figure out how much of the pizza she has eaten, while teaching your class that fractions refer to a specific whole amount. This problem will be challenging...
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...
Illustrative Mathematics
What Shape Am I?
Sharpen your pencil and grab a ruler, it's time to draw some quadrilaterals! Given the definition of a parallelogram, rectangle, and rhombus, learners draw examples and nonexamples of each figure. The three definitions are...
Illustrative Mathematics
Drinking Juice, Variation 3
It is up to the learner to find the amount of juice originally in a bottle, knowing what fraction of the juice is left, and the amount that has been consumed. The accompanying commentary provides a useful and detailed description of...
Illustrative Mathematics
Running to School
The object of this activity is to compute how far Rosa ran to school. Given in the exercise is the fractional number of miles between home and school and the fractional distance Rosa ran. The commentary shows several ways to have your...
Curated OER
Patterns in the Multiplication Table
Explore patterns in the multiplication table in order to deepen your third graders' understanding of this essential skill. Implement this activity as a whole-class lesson, allowing students to work in pairs or small groups to support...
Curated OER
Making a Ten
An addition table supports third graders as they learn strategies to improve their math fluency. When finding sums greater than ten, students are taught how to first make a ten and then add on the rest. A similar method is also...
Curated OER
Which is Closer to 1?
A seemingly simple question that reveals a lot about a student's understanding of fractions. In finding an answer, learners compare fractions with different denominators that are both greater and less than one. No number line is...
Curated OER
Locating Fractions Greater than One on the Number Line
Supplement your lesson on improper fractions with this simple resource. Working on number lines labeled with whole numbers between 0 and 5, young mathematicians represent basic improper fractions with halves and thirds. The fractions...
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...
Curated OER
Find 1
Extend your class's ability to represent unit fractions on a number line with this challenging worksheet. Given two number lines, one labeled with zero and 1/4, the other with zero and 5/3, young scholars must accurately locate the...
Curated OER
Comparing Fractions with the Same Numerators, Assessment Variation
Have your class demonstrate their ability to compare fractions with this short multiple-choice assessment. Using the fractions 9/8 and 9/4, the students first make comparisons using both words and the greater than/less than signs. Next,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Peaches and Plums
According to the resource graph, which costs more: peaches or plums? Algebra learners compare two proportional relationships and then throw in a banana. Leaving out the scale helps young scholars become intuitive about graphing.
Illustrative Mathematics
Painting a Barn
When painting a barn you have to calculate surface area, and that is exactly what this resource is about. Not only will your future home owners calculate the surface area, but also the cost. It is a real-life problem that every that...
Illustrative Mathematics
Same Base and Height, Variation 2
This is a good model for learners to visualize triangles of the same base and height. They can can begin to comprehend that these triangles will have the same area no matter how the triangle is drawn. It is part of a series of resources...
Curated OER
Comparing Fractions with the Same Denominator, Assessment Variation
A short, multiple choice assessment that determines your 3rd graders' ability to correctly compare fractions with like denominators. This quiz asks learners to compare two fractions using words, the greater than/less than symbols, and...
Curated OER
Closest to 1/2
Using a number line, pupils are asked to identify which of four fractions is closest to one half. Includes a single problem that can serve as a practice problem or formative assessment for 3rd or 4th graders learning to partition number...