Curated OER
Summer Machines Activity: How Can We Move This Box of Blocks?
Students discover there's more than one way to move a heavy load. In this problem solving instructional activity, students use observation and problem-solving skills as they experiment with simple machines in order to transport loads.
Math Stars
Math Stars: a Problem-Solving Newsletter Grade 8
You've just hit the jackpot of integrating math problems and riddles with this jumbo-sized resource! Written as a newsletter, scroll through 35 pages of puzzles and quality problems to engage and encourage your learners to inquire...
Illustrative Mathematics
Toll Bridge Puzzle
Here is a great problem-solving activity for young mathematicians. Intended solely for instructional purposes, the activity is appropriate for learners to add four numbers together. Not only must they add four numbers together,...
Curated OER
Outdoor Activities/Problem Solving: Nature Scavenger Hunt
Students act as young explorers on this scavenger hunt. In this early childhood lesson plan, students build problem-solving and visual discrimination skills as they search outdoors to find matching nature items.
Curated OER
Outdoor Activities/Problem Solving: Home Design
Students create with sticks and stones. In this early childhood lesson plan, students use their problem-solving skills to make houses out of items they find outdoors.
Curated OER
The Sum of Our Integer Intelligences
Young mathematicians explore integers. They review adding integers through engaging in mathematical labs. Each lab station is designed to reflect one of the multiple intelligences. Resources for all activities are provided.
NASA
Exploration of a Problem: Making Sense of the Elements
When given too much data to simply memorize, it helps to sort it into manageable groups. The second lesson in the six-part series of Cosmic Chemistry challenges groups of pupils to take a large amount of data and figure out how to best...
Norwich Institute for Language Education
Simple Machines
Planning a unit on simple machines? Save some time and energy with this collection of lessons and activities that explores how these devices are used in the real world to make life a little easier.
Curated OER
Mt. Whitney to Death Valley
This is an intriguing problem that brings together real-world data, technology, and mathematical problem solving. If visibility wasn't an issue, could you see from the highest point in the lower 48 states, Mt. Whitney, to the lowest...
Curated OER
Problem Solving Model
Use a vocabulary chart to introduce math functions. The class defines a list of mathematical vocabulary terms on a worksheet, as well as completes equations and expressions. They examine word problems and practice transcribing them into...
Project Maths
Introduction to Quadratics
Develop conceptual knowledge of a quadratic equation and its solutions in your classes. The third algebra lesson plan in a series of four introduces learners to solving quadratic equations slowly. The first activity explores the zero...
Curated OER
Math Sleuths
Help learners practice their math skills by utilizing the Internet to research a mathematical topic. Your math sleuths will investigate a science or social studies topic from their curriculum and construct a Math Hunt Grid. They create a...
Math Stars
Math Stars: a Problem-Solving Newsletter Grade 7
Put on your thinking caps because middle school math has never been more interesting in this huge resource full of thought provoking questions. Written as a newsletter, the resource has 10 two-page newsletters with a variety of...
Intel
Forensics: Get a Clue
Although the methods are all scientific, forensic science was started by police officers rather than scientists, who relied on observation and common sense. Young detectives use many tools to solve crimes around the school in a...
Curated OER
Have Block Party!
Students discover that the possibilities are limitless in this block-building activity. In this early childhood, problem solving lesson, students develop social, problem-solving, math, and language skills using a specific number of...
Virginia Department of Education
Solving Equations
Demonstrate the abstract process of solving equations by using algebra tiles as a concrete representation. Scholars begin by solving equations through the use of manipulatives. As they gain more confidence, they progress to...
Curated OER
What Can the Wind Blow?
Students observe math and science concepts no matter which way the wind blows. In this early childhood problem solving instructional activity, students will develop science, math, and observation skills as they learn about the wind.
Curated OER
A Room Full of Colors and Shapes
Students explore their new classroom with this hunting and matching game. In this early childhood problem solving lesson, students use observation and matching skills as they hunt for pre-cut shapes around the classroom.
Curated OER
Youth Emergency Preparedness
What is an emergency, why is preparing for one important, and how can your pupils help others prepare for an emergency? Answer these questions and more with a short unit. Learners will participate in a variety of collaborative,...
Code.org
Hard Problems – Traveling Salesperson Problem
Even computers find this to be a hard problem. In the eighth installment of a 12-part unit, young computer scientists learn about the traveling salesperson problem. They formulate algorithms to solve the problem and find out why it is...
Project Maths
Introduction to Equations
Do your pupils truly understand inverse operations, or is their understanding a little backward? Scholars learn the meaning of an equation in the second instructional activity of a four-part Algebra series. A series of activities...
Curated OER
Dividing by 4's
Third graders explore math functions by completing problem solving activities. In this division lesson, 3rd graders utilize the division strategies acquired earlier to divide multiple digit numbers by 4's. Students complete problems on...
National Park Service
A Peace Park
Piece together American and Canadian culture by learning about peace parks! Scholars discuss differences between Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park as a group. The newly-informed pupils answers questions about this...
Curated OER
Balls & Hoops : Fun with Balls and Tubes
Students race to keep these balls rolling. In this early childhood physical education instructional activity, students experiment with cause and effect as they work with different heights of cardboard tubes.