Curated OER
Symmetry of the Addition Table
Help your class discover the commutative property of addition with this exploration of the addition table. By folding and coloring the table, a symmetry is found that directs students to an understanding of this crucial mathematical...
Illustrative Mathematics
Making Hot Cocoa, Variation 1
Dividing with fractions can be a confusing task to some, but the activity illustrates how to make groups out of the problem and look at it visually. Use this problem with the lesson in the Additional Materials section to practice this...
Illustrative Mathematics
Slopes and Circles
An upper-level treatment of what is often presented as a basic concept (the right angle of an inscribed circle on the diameter), this activity really elevates the mathematical thought of the learner! Expected to develop formulas...
Mathematics Vision Project
Quadratic Equations
Through a variety of physical and theoretical situations, learners are led through the development of some of the deepest concepts in high school mathematics. Complex numbers, the fundamental theorem of algebra and rational exponents...
Curated OER
Comparing Fractions
Learners compare three sets of fractions using the greater than, less than, and equal signs. To justify their answers, a drawing is also required that illustrates their reasoning. Including fractions with like and unlike denominators, as...
Illustrative Mathematics
Ordering 4-digit Numbers
Place value is a concept that sets a foundation for mathematical understanding. Ordering these sets of three- and four-digit numbers will help to strengthen that foundation. A great independent practice worksheet or short assessment to...
Illustrative Mathematics
Hours of Daylight 1
The midline of the mathematical model of the number of hours of sunlight is not 12 hours. Pupils use the modeling cycle to determine a function that will model the number of hours of sunlight at a location of their choosing. Using...
Curated OER
Measuring the Area of a Circle
When mathematical errors happen, part of the learning is to figure out how it affects the rest of your calculations. The activity has your mathematicians solving for the area of a circular pipe and taking into consideration any errors...
Illustrative Mathematics
A Midpoint Miracle
Young geometers develop one of the fundamental properties of quadrilaterals (connecting side midpoints gives a parallelogram) in this short but thought-provoking exercise. Using a combination of hands-on techniques and abstract algebraic...
Illustrative Mathematics
Solving Two Equations in Two Unknowns
More than just a one-problem resource, learners must explain their answer and incorporate a writing component to mathematical thinking. The resource also includes an explanation of the solution to help with the reasoning.
Illustrative Mathematics
Valid Equalities?
True or false: 20 = 10 + 10. The statement is true because two 10s make a 20. These are the types of equations learners must label or false. They must also explain in mathematical terms how they know.
Illustrative Mathematics
Counting Dots in Arrays
Mathematical arrays can represent several different math skills, including counting groups, multiplication, and even area. In this specific task, learners are asked to identify the addition equations that are equal to a 3 x 4 array....
Illustrative Mathematics
Fractions and Rectangles
Visual models are excellent teaching tools when explaining equivalent fractions. Looking at a rectangle cut into twelfths, learners first identify the shaded fraction, and then explain whether the fraction is equal to one-fourth....
Curated OER
Flower Vases
Which vase holds more water: a cylinder, sphere, or cone? Figure out which should be used for your sister's birthday bouquet with this practical word problem.
Illustrative Mathematics
Right Triangles Inscribed in Circles II
So many times the characteristics of triangles are presented as a vocabulary-type of lesson, but in this activity they are key to unraveling a proof. A unique attack on proving that an inscribed angle that subtends a diameter must be a...
Illustrative Mathematics
Shortest Line Segment from a Point P to a Line L
One of the hardest skills for many young geometers to grasp is to move beyond just declaring obvious things true, and really returning to fundamental principles for proof. This brief exercise stretches those proving muscles as the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Making Hot Cocoa, Variation 2
Learners are introduced to dividing by fractions in a visual way. Setting up groups from the information in the problem allows them to see what we divide and why. Use with the previous lesson plan, which can be found in Additional...
Illustrative Mathematics
How Many Marbles?
Don't lose your marbles! This simple story problem helps make teaching division with fractions much easier. Work on this problem along with the lesson titled, How Many Servings of Oatmeal? to highlight the difference between...
Illustrative Mathematics
Use Cavalieri’s Principle to Compare Aquarium Volumes
Learners are designing a stunning new water feature for an aquarium, but they soon discover that more than just a pretty home for their fishy friends is required. From calculating the volume of a composite shape through the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Tangent to a Circle From a Point
Learners see application of construction techniques in a short but sophisticated problem. Combining the properties of inscribed triangles with tangent lines and radii makes a nice bridge between units, a way of using...
Mathematics Vision Project
Geometric Figures
Logical thinking is at the forefront of this jam-packed lesson, with young mathematicians not only investigating geometric concepts but also how they "know what they know". Through each activity and worksheet, learners wrestle with...
Concord Consortium
Shooting Arrows through a Hoop
The slope makes a difference. Given an equation of a circle and point, scholars determine the relationship of the slope of a line through the point and the number of intersections with the circle. After graphing the relationship, pupils...
Illustrative Mathematics
Ice Cream Cone
Every pupil with a sweet tooth will be clamoring for this lab and analysis, particularly when they're allowed to eat the results! Volume and surface area formulas for cones are developed from models, and then extended to the printing of...
Math Mammoth
Adding Fractions And Mixed Numbers 1
In this mathematics activity, 4th graders add the fractions and shade the parts illustrated in each picture. Then they write the whole numbers from 0 to 5 under the bolded black lines. Students also add and give their answer as a mixed...