Teach Engineering
Solar Angles and Tracking Systems
The sun will continue to rise in the east and set in the west, no matter what. The first lesson plan in a series of eight introduces the class to solar angles. It makes connections between a person's latitude and the angle of position of...
EngageNY
Graphing Quadratic Functions from the Standard Form
Use context to explain the importance of the key features of a graph. When context is introduced, the domain and range have meaning, which enhances understanding. Pupils use application questions to explore the key features of the graph...
EngageNY
Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square
Many learners find completing the square the preferred approach to solving quadratic equations. Class members combine their skills of using square roots to solve quadratics and completing the square. The resource incorporates a...
EngageNY
Modeling with Quadratic Functions (part 2)
How many points are needed to define a unique parabola? Individuals work with data to answer this question. Ultimately, they determine the quadratic model when given three points. The concept is applied to data from a dropped...
EngageNY
Modeling with Quadratic Functions (part 1)
Relevance is key! The resource applies quadratic modeling by incorporating application of physics and business. Pupils work through scenarios of projectile motion and revenue/profit relationships. By using the key features of the graph,...
EngageNY
Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem
Discover a new application of the Pythagorean Theorem. Learners prove and apply the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem in the 17th lesson in a 25-part series. The examples ask learners to verify right triangles using the converse...
LABScI
Catapult: Flight of the Marshmallows
Watch your marshmallows fly. The engaging STEM activity has groups create a catapult to launch marshmallows. After testing their prototypes, they consider improvements and redesign their catapults.
EngageNY
The Relationship Between Visual Fraction Models and Equations
Ours is to wonder why, not just to invert and multiply. The seventh installment of a 21-part module uses fraction models to help pupils understand why the invert-and-multiply strategy for dividing fractions works. They then work on some...
EngageNY
The Relationship of Multiplication and Division
Take any number, multiply it by five, and then divide by five. Did you end up with the original number? In the same vein as the previous lesson, pupils discover the relationship between multiplication and division. They develop the...
Beyond Benign
Breaking the Tension
The tension builds as learners experiment in your classroom. The 17th installment in a 24-part series has scholars investigate the concept of surface tension. After discovering characteristics of surface tension, they add a compound...
Statistics Education Web
What Does the Normal Distribution Sound Like?
Groups collect data describing the number of times a bag of microwave popcorn pops at given intervals. Participants discover that the data fits a normal curve and answer questions based on the distribution of this data.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Tree Rings: Living Records of Climate
Open with a discussion on weather and climate and then explain how tree rings can provide scientists with information about the earth's past climate. Pupils analyze graphics of simulated tree rings from various US locations for the...
Henrico County Public Schools
Models for Teaching Addition and Subtraction of Integers
Positive and negative numbers are everywhere in the world around us. Whether it's charged particles in atoms, a hot air balloon rising and falling in the sky, or a series of bills and checks being delivered in the mail, this...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Solving Inequalities
What does translating points on a number line have to do with solving inequalities? Young mathematicians first learn about translations of points on a number line, and then use this information to solve linear inequalities in one variable.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Investigating Special Right Triangles
Scholars first investigate relationships in the side lengths of 30°-60°-90° triangles and 45°-45°-90° triangles. This knowledge then helps them solve problems later in the lesson about special right triangles.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Solving and Using Literal Equations
You literally need to use the resource. Young mathematicians solve geometric problems by using literal equations. They go on to solve distance/rate/time problems by using literal equations — a great progression that helps introduce the...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Congruence Through Transformations
Transform your lesson on transformations. Learners use given congruent triangles and tracing paper to determine the single transformation that carries one to the other. The concept is extended to combinations of transformations to...
Statistics Education Web
Population Parameter with M-and-M's
Manufacturers' claims may or may not be accurate, so proceed with caution. Here pupils use statistics to investigate the M&M's company's claim about the percentage of each color of candy in their packaging. Through the activity,...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Causes and Effects of Climate Change
It's time for your class to literally show what they know! Pupils illustrate what they learned about the causes and effects of climate change by filling out a graphic organizer to complete the 5-part series of lessons. They discuss them...
LABScI
Taxonomy: Who is in My family?
Find similarities in seemingly unlike organisms. The second instructional activity in a series of 12 builds the concept of a taxonomy and explores the use of a dichotomous key. Learners begin in part one by attempting to group a set of...
NPR
Can You Beat Cognitive Bias?
In a time of fake news, media manipulation, and Internet trolls, a resource equips learners with the tools they need to recognize and combat resources that are designed to appeal to our cognitive biases. Introduce learners to five...
Prestwick House
Vocabulary in Context: Inside the World of Wizards
Enter the world of Harry Potter and learn new vocabulary at the same time. A high-interest reading passage provides insight into the history of Harry Potter. Follow-up activities incorporate key vocabulary strategies, such as using...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Understanding Wave Motion - Slinky vs. Snaky: Which Spring is Dominant?
Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Save the Dinosaurs with Copper and Zinc!
Create a coat of armor for dinosaur volunteers. Young scientists explore the oxidation-reduction reaction facilitated by electric current. The result of the reaction is a dinosaur coated in copper and zinc, which leads to an...