EngageNY
Mental Math
Faster than a speedy calculator! Show your classes how to use polynomial identities to multiply numbers quickly using mental math.
California Academy of Science
Fresh Solutions: Design Thinking Challenge
How do people transport fresh water long distances to ensure everyone has access to it? The final lesson in the 10-part Fresh Solutions unit encourages individuals to design their own solution, or solutions, to that very problem. Groups...
EngageNY
Ferris Wheels—Using Trigonometric Functions to Model Cyclical Behavior
Have class members going in circles as they model the path of a Ferris Wheel using trigonometric functions. Building on the previous lesson plan in this series on transformations, learners use trigonometric functions to model wheels...
5280 Math
More or Less the Same
Tell the story of the math. Given a graph of a linear system, learners write a story that models the graph before crafting the corresponding functions. Graphs intersect at an estimated point, allowing for different variations in the...
Curated OER
Cool Tools to Solve Challenging Word Problems
Students explore math functions by completing worksheets in class. In this word problem lesson, students read the story A Remainder of One and practice solving division problems from the story. Students complete a worksheet which...
EngageNY
Using Trigonometry to Find Side Lengths of an Acute Triangle
Not all triangles are right! Pupils learn to tackle non-right triangles using the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines. After using the two laws, they then apply them to word problems.
North Carolina State University
Construction
Engineering design projects serve as great opportunities for collaborative problem solving. In this case, students work in small groups designing, building, and eventually testing a structure that meets a teacher-specified objective. It...
EngageNY
Determining Discrete Probability Distributions 1
Learn how to determine a probability distribution. In the ninth installment of a 21-part module, future mathematicians use theoretical probabilities to develop probability distributions for a random variable. They then use these...
American Statistical Association
How Fast Are You?
Quick! Snap up the lesson. Scholars first use an online app to collect data on reaction times by clicking a button when the color of a box changes. They then plot and analyze the data by considering measures of center, measures of...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Generalizing Patterns: The Difference of Two Squares
After completing an assessment task where they express numbers as the difference of squares (i.e., 9 = 5^2 – 4^2), class members note any patterns that they see in the problems.
Curated OER
Real Life Challenge
Students solve word problems using words and mathematical symbols. In this algebra lesson, students verbalize what they do to arrive at their answers. They set up their problems algebraically as they apply their knowledge of math to...
EngageNY
Numbers Raised to the Zeroth Power
What in the world is the zeroth power? Examine the patterns of exponents as they apply to the zeroth power. Scholars apply the zero property to simple exponential expressions in this fourth lesson in a series of 15. The examples include...
Curated OER
Energy Audit
Students collect data about energy usage and use mathematical calculations to analyze their data. In this energy conservation and statistics math lesson plan, students survey their homes to complete an energy usage worksheet. Students...
EngageNY
Graphs of Simple Nonlinear Functions
Time to move on to nonlinear functions. Scholars create input/output tables and use these to graph simple nonlinear functions. They calculate rates of change to distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions.
Illustrative Mathematics
Writing Expressions
Practice writing algebraic expressions from written phrases. The objective is to consider two seemingly similar phrases, write them as algebraic expressions, and then simplify using the order of operations. Learners are challenged to...
Curated OER
Using Matrices to Enter Data and Perform Operations
Here's a TI step by step guided lesson on matrices. The class enters data into the TI calculator about movie ticket sales and uses matrices as a problem solving tool. They add and multiply matrices to determine profit.
Center for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching
Vectors
Investigate vectors and learn how to use them. Explore why size and direction, as well as knowing speed and distance, are important components of the vector problems you are trying to solve. This is an extensive lesson plan which...
Curated OER
How many movies can you see in one day?
For kids who love movies, figuring out a schedule for the maximum number that can be seen in one day is not only a good demonstration of Common Core mathematical practices, but also a highly motivating activity. Robert Kaplinsky...
5280 Math
Polygon Polynomials
Patterns in polygons lead to patterns in polynomials. Presented with a series of polygons, individuals create polynomial expressions to represent their patterns. The algebra project consists of nine problems that incorporate polynomial...
Curated OER
Food for Spaceflight
When astronauts get hungry in outer space, they can't just call and have a pizza delivered. In order to gain an appreciation for the challenges associated with space travel, young learners are given the task of selecting,...
Curated OER
Tax, Tip and Discount Word Problems
Students solve problems involving tax, tips and discounts. In this algebra lesson plan, students convert between percents and decimals. They calculate commission using conversion from percents and fractions.
Curated OER
Problem Solving Through Communication
Students discuss effective ways to solve and communicate problems. For this word problem lesson, students solve a variety of word problems written by varying authors. They rewrite words using algebraic terminology.
Curated OER
Race the Track! Design Challenge
Students use the design process to investigate physical science. In this force and motion lesson, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance. Students...
EngageNY
Graphs of Functions and Equations
Explore the graphs of functions and equations with a resource that teaches scholars how to graph functions as a set of input-output points. They learn how the graph of a function is the graph of its associated equation.