Curated OER
Designing a Fort
Students explore the concept of right triangles. In this right triangle lesson, students construct a scale model of a tourist attraction similar to Fort Jefferson. Students research aerial photos of Fort Jefferson, then build their...
Curated OER
Fractals Forever or Obvious and Hidden Order
Students discuss ways computers use properties of similar figures to generate scale models and create scenes. they describe patterns they have seen on a fern, pineapple, or pinecone. Students research Benoit mandebrot, H. von Koch and...
Curated OER
Boxing On
Students participate in five center activities in which they construct three dimensional objects using cubic centimeter manipulatives such as sugar cubes and toothpaste boxes. They determine the volume of the objects. They build a model...
Curated OER
Stack It Up!
Students analyze and begin to design a pyramid. Working in engineering teams, they perform calculations to determine the area of the pyramid base, stone block volumes, and the number of blocks required for their pyramid base. They make a...
Curated OER
Boat Hull Design
Working in small groups students develop three alternative boat designs. They discuss the rationale for the type of hull, propeller, location of ballast, and type of building material used in their design. They build their boat.
Curated OER
The True Value of Sweets
Measure your pupil's learning in a lesson designed to explore decimals by weighing different candies on a scale and recording the weight. Small groups then compare and order the decimal weights on a number line to show their...
Virginia Department of Education
Growing Patterns and Sequences
Learners explore, discover, compare, and contrast arithmetic and geometric sequences in this collaborative, hands-on activity. They build and analyze growing patterns to distinguish which kind of sequence is represented by a set of data...
Kenan Fellows
Weight and Balance of an Airplane
A career in aeronautics might be calling your class members. Building from the previous two lessons in the series, learners continue analyzing the mathematics of aeronautics. Groups create a paper airplane using paperclips for balance....
Curated OER
Building With Triangles
Fourth graders use two different techniques to construct triangles with specific dimensions. They determine how to construct nets for three-dimensional objects focusing on those made with equilateral triangles. They are able to name the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Comparing Products
How can 5th graders show understanding that 30 x 225 is half of 60 x 225 without completing the computation? They can use an area model and draw it out. An array, or an open array, is an area model that allows for young learners to...
Curated OER
Ratio Relationships
Students solve for the different ratio and proportion of a problem. In this geometry lesson, students show their knowledge of how to solve proportional relationships. They convert between percent, decimals and fractions.
Curated OER
Make a Zoo
In this unit students work in groups to find out about an endangered animal species. They design a zoo enclosure for the animal and build a scale model. Together the class constructs a zoo! In the process of planning and building the zoo...
Curated OER
Mound Math
Students examine the many different burial mounds in Wisconsin. In groups, they use the internet to discover how long it took to build a specific mound. They must calculate the measurements of the mound to make a scale model.
EngageNY
Graphs of Exponential Functions
What does an exponential pattern look like in real life? After viewing a video of the population growth of bacteria, learners use the real-life scenario to collect data and graph the result. Their conclusion should be a new type of graph...
Curated OER
Roofing and Right Triangles
Students use models and symbols to represent properties of the Pythagorean Theorem. In this right triangle lesson plan, students connect real jobs to properties of right triangles. They solve word problems applying the correct ratios and...
Curated OER
Cookie Topography
Students construct a cross section diagram showing elevation changes on a "cookie island." Using a chocolate chip cookie for an island, they locate the highest point in centimeters on the cookie and create a scale in feet. After tracing...
Curated OER
Balobbyland City Planners
Students create a mini city using proportions that fit a model human they construct using tin foil. They plan the city including a library, sports arena, living spaces, parks and businesses. When constructing the paper buildings, they...
Curated OER
Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Shapes
First graders explore 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes. In this geometry lesson, 1st graders examine the attributes of 2 -dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes. They also create the shapes as they build models. This lesson...
Curated OER
Metric Measuring
Middle schoolers design their dream gardens and work together to build a class model. They use software to create a virtual model. They only use metric measurements.
Curated OER
Map Maker Map Maker
Learners create their own maps. In this map making lesson plan, students go to Microsoft Word and create a chart. They label directions, buildings, streets, and distance.
Curated OER
Balanced Or Unbalanced
Students use physical models and graphs in order to solve problems that have their origin in the real world that require algebraic thinking. The words are changed into equations and inequalities in order to be solved. This requires...
Curated OER
Walk a Mile in your Orbit
Students create an awareness of the distance between the planets and the complexity of the solar system through a model of an active solar system. they incorporate physical education and math with the ability to convert distances of each...
Curated OER
Arrange the Classroom (Part 1 of 3)
Fifth graders arrange the classroom using all the moveable objects and through the exploration of area and perimeter. They determine the area of the classroom, create and label model pieces of furniture using graph paper, and create a...
Curated OER
Hover Above the Earth
Fourth graders build a balloon hovercraft, take direct measurements, answer critical questions, and make calculations using the data gathered in order to see the concept of acceleration as a change in velocity. They use a worksheet...