Unit Plan
Partnership for Educating Colorado Students

Mayan Mathematics and Architecture

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
Earth Day

Introduction To Scale Drawings

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Real-life math is really great! In groups, learners measure objects in the classroom. After comparing measurements, they determine a scale and create a blueprint of the classroom. They discuss the purpose of using scale drawings in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Treasure Hunters

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers design an on campus treasure hunt to find various architectural vocabulary words which they then create definitions for on the blog page on the Environmental Design website.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Local Architecture

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students study architecture through the mediums of sketching and painting. For this art and architecture lesson, students sketch an example of architecture and then paint over the sketch in detail.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Math, Music and Architecture: Kindergarten Geometry and Aesthetics in Music and Architecture

For Teachers K - 8th
Students identify and name different geometrical shapes. In this math lesson, students distinguish odd from even numbers. They describe the properties of 2 and 3 dimensional objects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design a Better Classroom Workplace

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students design a new classroom workplace. In this architecture activity, students use area formulas to identify the problem with the existing desks in their classroom. Students design their own solution volume formulas to solve the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Bridge

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discover architecture and functionality by constructing a bridge.  In this bridge engineering lesson, 3rd graders utilize cardboard, straws, towel tubes and plastic bottles to create a model bridge similar to ones seen...
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
How do barns serve as a window to a community's past? Here are a series of lessons on the symbolism and historical context of barns throughout American history. Topics include community-building, in-depth primary and secondary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Inspiration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students relate math to the real world. In this algebra lesson, students compare plants to math and relate their artistic ability to concepts in math. They draw pictures of flowers, leaves and trees.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Me Oh Maya

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students compare basketball to Mayan ring-ball. They write a newspaper article that may have been published during Mayan times.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nets, Surface Area and Volume

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students calculate the surface area and volume of a sphere. In this geometry lesson, students define nets, surface areas and volume of prisms, pyramids, cylinders and cones. They use the computer to create nets and analyze shapes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Quest For Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate and apply properties of math. In this algebra and physics instructional activity, students define important vocabulary words to create a basic understanding of keywords. They perform experiments using concepts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symmetry of Road Signs

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students identify symmetry in road signs. In this geometry lesson, students explore objects in the real world for symmetry. They perform translation, rotation and reflection.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quadratic Relation and Parabola

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students identify the vertex and intercepts of a parabola. In this algebra lesson, students graph parabolas and factor quadratic equations. They perform transformation on the parabolas.