Illustrative Mathematics
Hexagonal Pattern of Beehives
Young geometers and biologists investigate the math of nature in an activity that is just the bee's knees. Participants will study the tessellations of hexagons in a beehive, along with the natural rationale behind the specific shape....
Mary Pope Osborne, Classroom Adventures Program
Mummies in the Morning Egyptian pyramids, hieroglyphics
Visit the Magic Treehouse and take your class on a trip through time with a reading of the children's book Mummies in the Morning. Using the story to spark an investigation into Egyptian culture, this literature unit engages...
Gatton Park
Magical Maths
A variety of activities take scholars outside the classroom to explore shapes, symmetry, measurement, patterns, sorting, and time in nature. Learners participate individually, and in teams, to measure found objects, go on a...
EngageNY
Exploring the Symmetry in Graphs of Quadratic Functions
Math is all about finding solutions and connections you didn't expect! Young mathematicians often first discover nonlinear patterns when graphing quadratic functions. The lesson begins with the vocabulary of a quadratic graph and uses...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 3: Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
Natural human interest in patterns and algebraic study of function notation are linked in this introductory unit on the properties of sequences. Once presented with a pattern or situation, the class works through how to justify...
Curated OER
Tile Patterns II: Hexagons
After learning that the sum of interior angles for triangles is 108 degrees, take it further to show that the sum of angles in any polygon is the same! Using hexagons, pupils practice finding the measure of the six congruent angles. Make...
MENSA Education & Research Foundation
Fabulous Fibonacci and His Nifty Numbers
Fibonacci numbers are not only found in the classroom but also in nature. Explore the concept of Fibonacci numbers through a series of lessons designed to gain insight into the mathematical reasoning behind the number pattern, and spark...
EngageNY
Tides, Sound Waves, and Stock Markets
Help pupils see the world through the eyes of a mathematician. As they examine tide patterns, sound waves, and stock market patterns using trigonometric functions, learners create scatter plots and write best-fit functions.
Concord Consortium
Here Comes the Sun
Many phenomena in life are periodic in nature. A task-based lesson asks scholars to explore one of these phenomena. They collect data showing the sunrise time of a specific location over the period of a year. Using the data, they create...
Getting to Know
Shape and Form in Art
Introduce youngsters to the important role shape and form play in art with this extensive collection of activities and projects. From teaching first graders how to create mandalas to engaging third and fourth graders in the design...
Cabrillo College
Elementary Algebra
Hello Algebra! If you're in need of a resource with a books worth of examples and practice problems, this is it. Some topics include linear equations, polynomials and exponents, rational expressions, quadratic equations, and a...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 6: Modeling Periodic Behavior
Around and around we go ... again, and again, and again, and again! That's the nature of a periodic function. Young scholars learn how to model a periodic pattern with trigonometric functions. The nine-lesson unit explores the connection...
EngageNY
Converting Repeating Decimals to Fractions
Develop a process with your classes for converting repeating decimals to fractions. Through this process, pupils understand that any repeating decimal can be written as a fraction. The 10th lesson in this 25-part module helps...
EngageNY
Describing Variability Using the Interquartile Range (IQR)
The 13th activity in a unit of 22 introduces the concept of the interquartile range (IQR). Class members learn to determine the interquartile range, interpret within the context of the data, and finish by finding the IQR using an...
Inside Mathematics
Graphs (2004)
Show your pupils that perimeter is linear and area is quadratic in nature with a short assessment task that requests learners to connect the graph and equation to a description about perimeter or area. Scholars then provide a...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 6: Quadratic Functions
Linear, exponential, now it's time for quadratic patterns! Learners build on their skills of modeling patterns by analyzing situations with quadratic functions. The sixth module in the Algebra I series has pupils analyze multiple...
EngageNY
Families of Parallel Lines and the Circumference of the Earth
How do you fit a tape measure around the Earth? No need if you know a little geometry! Pupils begin by extending their understanding of the Side Splitter Theorem to a transversal cut by parallel lines. Once they identify the...
World Wildlife Fund
Take 6
Investigate the various properties of the number six with this elementary math lesson plan. From simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems to the creation of hexagonal tessellations, this lesson plan covers all...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 3: Polynomial Functions
An informative module highlights eight polynomial concepts. Learners work with polynomial functions, expressions, and equations through graphing, simplifying, and solving.
Math Is Fun
Math Is Fun: Nature, the Golden Ratio, and Fibonacci, Too
Looks at how spirals form in nature when cells reproduce in a flower, for example. An interactive lets students try entering different values to see if they can make a spiral pattern with no gaps. The correct figure would be the Golden...
Other
The Math Learning Center: Pattern Shapes
Students use pattern shapes to explore geometry and fractions, creating their own designs, or filling in outlines. As they work with the shapes students explore geometric relationships, think about angles, investigate symmetry, and...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Saxon Activity Center Real World Investigation: Symmetry Around Us [Pdf]
Use this internet lesson to explore different types of symmetry in nature. Learners examine line symmetry, rotational symmetry, and bilateral symmetry. An integrated math, language art, and art lesson. Acrobat Reader required.