Math really is just one big puzzle waiting to be solved. Show learners that math can be intriguing and provide them with visually engaging problems and puzzles. The focus is on solving simple equations and looking at expressions. 

Students consider the future of endangered species. In this conservation lesson, students view a slide show and use mathematical data to construct a prediction for the survival of an endangered species. This lesson includes, personal...

Take some intellectual fun and apply it to the concept of multiplying expressions together. A guide models how to break two numbers into an area model to multiply together in pieces similar to FOILing. The rest of the puzzles consist of...

I really like this clever lesson on using peanuts to help facilitate the learning of addition and subtraction for your young mathematicians. Youngsters use peanuts as "counters" for a variety of math problems that include greater than...

Puzzle your way through to a new understanding of area. Scholars learn about the area of polygons through equidecomposability, the idea that polygons that can be decomposed into the same set of pieces have the same area. By using...

Elementary and middle schoolers explore scatter plots. In this graphing instructional activity, pupils work in small groups and use jigsaw puzzles to develop a scatter plot. Younger students may develop a bar graph.

Groups plan their escape carefully. Three three-tiered puzzles help a story character escape their situation, each involving integer sequences, transformations, and geometric constructions. The teacher resource includes...

Students investigate topology. In this Applied Science lesson students explore higher, more abstract mathematics using tangles. Students make topologically related shapes.

In this shape lesson plan, learners cut out tangram shapes and create different pictures with them. They look at 3-D shapes as well. There is a nice, hands-on component built into this lesson plan.

Students build on what they know to make new discoveries. In this early childhood lesson plan, students engage in a block-building activity to develop language, math, and fine-motor skills.

Students investigate the lives of frogs by completing several worksheets.  In this biology lesson, students discover the life cycle of a frog from tadpole to death.  Students complete frog life cycle puzzle as well as create a...

Isn't paper pushing supposed to be boring? Learners attempt a paper-pushing puzzle to develop ideas about angles inscribed on a diameter of a circle. Learners then formalize Thales' theorem and use geometric properties to develop a proof...

Learners explore logic and use Geometer’s Sketchpad and patterns of logic to solve a puzzle.

Your sixth and seventh graders deepen their understanding of a number line and adding integers in this concrete, hands-on activity. Learners play "Warehouse Puzzle" and then discuss their game strategies and the characteristics...

Banks are responsible for keeping our financial information safe. Mathematics is what allows them to do just that! Pupils learn the math behind the cryptography that banks rely on. Using polynomial identities, learners reproduce the...

Students measure planes and solids. In this geometry lesson, students find the area and perimeter of different polygons.They complete a word puzzle to review their vocabulary words.

Students collect and explore gingerbread man data. In this math and technology lesson plan, students examine how to organize and interpret data in three formats: objects, pictures, and graphs.  

Students explore the origin of tangram. In this algebra lesson, students form different shapes and figures using tangram. They solve for the area of different shapes without using any geometric formulas, but the idea of tangram being put...

First, second, and third graders explore elapsed time through estimation and prediction. They work with a partner to estimate how long it will take to perform various tasks. One person uses a stop watch to time his or her partner...

Students explore the concept of exponents.  In this exponents lesson, students evaluate various bases to powers.  The bases to a given power are in the context of miles driven, stops on a route, and minutes spent in...

Students look for a pattern to solve an ancient puzzle. In this logic and reasoning math lesson, students work to solve the problem of moving the Tower of Hanoi, then listen to a legend about a monk moving a 64-disc tower and determine...

Learners construct frieze patterns using translations and rotations. They will discuss how frieze patterns are similar to jigsaw puzzles and use Cabri Jr. to build a triangle frieze pattern using rotations, translations, and reflections.

Seventh graders examine genetics combination using statistics. In this statistics lesson, 7th graders examine genetic trait using a table or punnett square to identify genotype and phenotype. This assignment requires more than one class...

Students discover early number concepts for numbers 1 through 5. In this number concepts lesson, students work in stations doing hands-on activities such as sorting colored blocks, stringing beads, and counting sticks. Students also...