West Contra Costa Unified School District
Solving and Using Literal Equations
You literally need to use the resource. Young mathematicians solve geometric problems by using literal equations. They go on to solve distance/rate/time problems by using literal equations — a great progression that helps introduce the...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Slope-Intercept Sort
What's so special about slope? Pupils first match cards with slope and y-intercept to graphs of linear equations. They continue the lesson by matching equations in slope-intercept form to the same graphs.
California Mathematics Project
For the Birds
It turns out math IS for the birds! Here, learners use mathematical reasoning to determine how often someone needs to fill a bird feeder. The rate the feeder empties varies by the number of holes that are available to the birds. Day two...
California Mathematics Project
Treasure Beneath the Sea
Explore the geometry of treasure hunting! Learners use geometry to design a treasure recovery strategy. The objective is to create a design that minimizes the amount of work required. Budding mathematicians use properties of triangles as...
California Mathematics Project
Model Solar System
The sun's diameter is 864,337 miles—challenge learners to create a scale model of the solar system that fits in your classroom. Scholars make conversions and work with scientific notation as they create the scale model.
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 4: Rational Functions
Time to study the most sensible function — rational functions! The seven-lesson unit develops the concept of a rational function through a connection to rational numbers and fractions. Scholars graph functions, solve equations, and...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 3: Polynomial Functions
An informative module highlights eight polynomial concepts. Learners work with polynomial functions, expressions, and equations through graphing, simplifying, and solving.
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 1: Functions and Their Inverses
Nothing better than the original! Help your class understand the relationship of an inverse function to its original function. Learners study the connection between the original function and its inverse through algebraic properties,...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Simplify Expressions and Solve Equations Using Two-Column Proofs
Increase understanding of the algebraic properties and their importance. Scholars justify their steps as they simplify expressions and solve equations. They formalize their work as two-column proof.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Deducting Relationships: Floodlight Shadows
Try to figure out what happens with shadows as a person moves between two light sources. A formative assessment instructional activity has individuals work on an assessment task based on similar triangles, then groups them based on their...
Yummy Math
US Holiday Candy Sales
Candy is a big business! Calculate the amount of money consumers spent on major holidays—Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Valentine's Day—based on the total amount of candy sales from 2011 and the percentage of each holiday's...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Square and Square Roots
Root for your pupils to learn about roots. Young mathematicians first review the meaning of squares and square roots. They then use this knowledge to simplify square roots of monomials with variables.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Solving Inequalities
What does translating points on a number line have to do with solving inequalities? Young mathematicians first learn about translations of points on a number line, and then use this information to solve linear inequalities in one variable.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Graph Square Root and Cube Root Functions
Scholars first learn to graph square root and cube root functions by creating a table of values. They then learn how to graph functions from transformation of the graphs of the parent square root and cube root functions.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Simplifying Radicals – Day 1
It doesn't get simpler than this. Scholars first learn to simplify radicals by determining the prime factors of the radicand. The lesson progresses to simplifying radicals involving algebraic expressions in the radicand.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Shifting Linear Equations in Function Notation
Time for a shift in thinking! Learners examine translations of linear functions. They use function notation to describe the translation and make connections to the graph.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Solving Quadratic Equations
Scholars first complete an individual assignment using a quadratic equation to model the movement of a bus around a corner. Learners then discuss their solutions with classmates and analyze the provided sample responses.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Divisibility Rules Justified
How do you know if a number is divisible? Instructors first prove the divisibility rules for three and four and then class members use this modeling to prove given divisibility rules for eight and nine either individually or in groups.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Quadratic Equations — What We Know
Everything you could possibly want to know about quadratic equations, all in one resource. Instructors demonstrate how to translate between different forms of quadratics (equation, table of values, graph, verbal description) and finding...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Mixture Problems
Mix up your lessons with the resource on mixture problems. Scholars use manipulatives to model and solve mixture problems. Individuals then set up both one- and two-variable equations to solve the problems.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Linear-Quadratic Systems
Why do I have to learn two different ways to solve linear-quadratic systems? Isn't one way enough? Learners first investigate the three possible situations for linear-quadratic systems (two, one, or zero solutions), then solve such...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Lowest Common Multiple through the Grades
The LCM will be your new BFF. Learners review least common multiple and least common denominator applications, mostly on fractions, from middle school. Scholars then see how the LCM can be applied to various types of problems from...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Graphing Family of Functions
Functions have families, too. Learners first graph the parent functions for linear, quadratic, and cubic functions, and then use vertical translations to graph families of functions.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Graphing Exponential Functions
Once you know how to graph y = b^x, the sky's the limit. Young mathematicians learn to graph basic exponential functions and identify key features, and then graph functions of the form f(x) = ab^(x – h) + k from the function f(x) = b^x.