Virginia Tech
Unit Plan: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
A six-day unit for algebra II on exponential and logarithmic functions builds upon Chapter 12 of Merrill Algebra II with Trigonometry; Applications and Connections. The text provides assistance in the depth of instruction...
Curated OER
What Can I Afford?
Middle schoolers explore the concept of cell phone plans. In this cell phone plan lesson, students research the cost of cell phones. Middle schoolers compare various cell phone plans and decide on which phone plan is best for them.
Curated OER
Exploring Linear Equations
Third graders use graphing calculators to graph equations. They make visual models of algebraic expressions and they can readily see that an equation represents something.
Curated OER
C is for Cookie-A MEAN-ingful Graphing Activity
Third graders, in groups, dissect a variety of brands of chocolate chip cookies and calculate the mean for each brand. They create their own bar graphs, pictographs, and line graphs to represent information.
Curated OER
Food Intake and Physical Activity
Fourth graders graph their estimations of caloric intake and caloric expenditures.
Curated OER
Get a Half-life!
Students use m&m candies as their sample set. They begin by counting the total number of candies to determine their sample size. Students put the candies into a cup and shake them gently before pouring them onto a paper plate. Count...
Curated OER
Active Wear
Learners interpret and analyze data. In this middle school mathematics lesson, students conduct an experiment in which they investigate which solar collector, black, white, or silver, absorbs the most heat. Learners examine...
Curated OER
Paper Airplane Activity
Ninth graders select and build one of five different paper airplane designs and test them for distance and for time aloft. Part of this activity is designed to explore NASA developed software, FoilSim, with respect to the lift of an...
Curated OER
Graph Your Foot!
Students measure their own foot and place the outline on a graph. They make connections between the size of their foot and the bar graph that represents it.
Curated OER
Virtual Field Trip / Activity Research
Students visit a website to determine activities at three Michigan cities. They calculate the total cost of participating in the activities or visiting places such as zoos, planetariums, historic sites, and museums.
Curated OER
Going Back to Your Roots
Who doesn't need to know the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra? Use the theorem to find the roots of a polynomial on a TI calculator. The class explores polynomials with one solution, no real solutions, and two solutions. This less...
Curated OER
Visualizing Vectors
Investigate vectors in standard positions and use the CellSheet application on the TI calculator to find the sum of two vectors. Convert from polar to rectangular coordinates and vice versa, and show graphs of the vectors.
Curated OER
Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
Graph and solve linear equations in two variables. The class relates the concepts of linear equations to the real world.
EngageNY
Normal Distributions (part 2)
From z-scores to probability. Learners put together the concepts from the previous lessons to determine the probability of a given range of outcomes. They make predictions and interpret them in the context of the problem.
Teach Engineering
Air Pollution in the Pacific Northwest
Scholars investigate levels of nitrogen dioxide in the Pacific Northwest by examining the role of nitrogen in air pollution and how remote sensing can be used to measure nitrogen levels. An Excel spreadsheet calculates the difference...
Curated OER
Linear Inequalities
Through exploration of linear programming through graphs and equations of inequalities, students relate linear programming to real life scenarios, such as business. Graphing and shading is also part of this exercise.
Curated OER
Proof of Identity
Young scholars explore trigonometric identities. In this Algebra II lesson, students use graphing to verify the reciprocal identities. Using Cabri Jr, young scholars investigate the Pythagorean trigonometric identities...
Curated OER
Forms of Quadratic Equations
Transformations of parabolas to fit a particular quadratic equation is taught through this lesson. In this transforming parabolas to fit a particular quadratic equation lesson, high schoolers describe the transformations of the...
Texas Instruments
Complex Numbers: Plotting and Polar Form
Explore the concept of, and use the Ti-Nspire to, convert complex numbers into polar form. Then practice graphing complex numbers in the polar coordinate plane.
Curated OER
Exploring Expressions
Examine parts of an expression in this algebra lesson. Ninth graders identify the properties of the coefficient and their behavior to the graph. They graph the equation on a TI to see their results.
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...
Virginia Department of Education
Linear Modeling
An inquiry-based algebra lesson plan explores real-world applications of linear functions. Scholars investigate four different situations that can be modeled by linear functions, identifying the rate of change, as well as the...
Teach Engineering
Can You Resist This?
Some things are hard to resist. Small collaborative groups build circuits and calculate the voltage using Ohm's Law. Budding engineers explore the connection between the voltage across different resistors and linear...
Curated OER
Drops on a Penny
Young scientists explore the concept of surface tension at is applies to water. In this activity, learners use a dropper to place drops of water on a penny. Each group guesses how many drops a heads-up penny will hold, then conducts the...