Learners of all ages investigate area and perimeter through pentominoes. In this geometry lesson, students calculate the are and perimeter of different geometric shapes and describe the properties of similar and congruent shapes. This...

What a great opportunity to integrate science into your lesson on the War of 1812! Discover how pulley systems were used to move 1,000 lb. cannons at the Battle of Fort McHenry, and to raise the flag that would inspire Francis Scott...

An MRI uses both a magnetic and electricity, so how do the two interact with each other? Class members observe the effects on a charged particle when it is subject to both an electrical and magnetic field. The teacher background...

Take young scholars on a trip through history with this unit on the mathematics and architecture of the Mayan civilization. Starting with a introduction to their base twenty number system and the symbols they used, this eight-lesson unit...

Examine trends in student-to-teacher ratios over time. Building from the first task in the two-part series, classes now explore the pattern of student-to-teacher ratios using a non-linear function. After trying to connect the pattern to...

Pupils design a fence for a backyard pool. Scholars develop a fence design based on given constraints, determine the amount of material they need, and calculate the cost of the project. 

If members of your class wonder where they can use the math they learn in middle school, let them discover the answer. Learners apply geometry concepts of scale and measure to calculate the costs of framing a house addition.

How much plastic do manufacturers use to create water bottles each year? The class explores the number of water bottles used throughout the years to determine how many consumers will use in the future. Class members compare different...

Make the most of your prom—with math! Pupils write and use a quadratic model to determine the optimal price of prom tickets. After determining the costs associated with the event, learners use a graph to analyze the break even point(s).

Learners calculate the square root of a given number using carpenter's square measurements. In this math lesson, students relate this method on the Pythagorean theorem. They answer practice problems after the exploration activity,

Sixth graders explore and discuss the effectiveness of magnets in different situations. In this math instructional activity, 6th graders discuss rate and graphs after exploring with magnets using different restrictions on the magnets....

Three days of race car design and driving through the classroom while guessing probability could be a third graders dream. Learn to record car speed, distances traveled, and statistics by using calculation ranges using the mean, median,...

Students explore counting money. In this money counting and gingerbread house construction lesson, students use a calculator to determine how much and what type of candy they can buy given 25 cents.  Students construct gingerbread...

Comparatively speaking, does a bug travel farther than a human in 10 seconds? Get a bug and measure how far it travels in 10 seconds. Have a human team member run for 10 seconds and calculate the distance ran. Answer the question,"Who...

Clever! Use a clip from the 1997 film, Volcano, to get your chemistry class knee-deep in heat concepts related to lava. In the movie scene, lava flow is stopped in the nick of time. Your class must use calculations to determine if this...

It's never too early to start saving for retirement. In fact, the earlier one starts, the better! Use this retirement planning activity to teach the importance of a retirement strategy and why to start at a young age. 

Scholars learn about a series of three challenges when they design a bus system for a small town. They determine the bus routes and then figure out the best type of fuel to use before considering the cost of going electric. Learners...

Students explore math facts.  In this calculation and math facts lesson, students play a board game in which addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division math facts are practiced.  A copy of the game is included.

Students read the book Sam I Am and complete math calculations on the prices of ingredients that Sam did not want to eat. In this math calculations lesson plan, students list the items Sam would not eat into a computer program and...

High schoolers explore the graphing calculator feature on the Macintosh computer to explore some "parent" functions and their translations, combinations, and composites.

Learners create numerical patterns by using an internet based calculator. In this patterns lesson plan, students complete, create, extend, and record different patterns.

Students explore the concept of scale. In this scale instructional activity, students create a scale model of a room. Students calculate the area of a room. Students determine what percentage of the room is occupied by furniture.

Students using visual modeling software will construct two regular pentagrams which are mathematically similar. They also create a multi-page document and learn to create links between the pages and to a website on the History of...

Students use historical aerial photographs and current aerial photographs to compare the change over time to the land. In this land changing lesson plan, students analyze, compare, contrast, and list the land change in their own community.