Illustrative Mathematics
Building toward fluency
Here is a great learning task that focuses on the development of areas in computational fluency including strategies in mental math. Young learners are guided through a list of addition expressions that help them visually understand the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Reasoning about Multiplication
In critiquing someone else's theory, learners share insight into their own understanding of mathematical concepts. Fifth graders will explore the notion that products are always larger than their factors. While this statement is...
Illustrative Mathematics
Congruent Triangles
Geometers prove that triangle PQR is congruent to triangle ABC by describing any combination of rotations, reflections, and translations that would prove it so. There is only this single task on the handout, but a detailed explanation of...
Curated OER
Complex Distance
Have learners graph complex numbers to gain a visual and mathematical understanding of the distance and the midpoint between two complex numbers. This lesson is short, but to the point, and addresses an important complex number...
Illustrative Mathematics
Jumping Flea
Mathematics minors consider the magnitude of a jumping flea as he hops from place to place. Through this exercise, they will investigate absolute values, as well as positive and negative rational numbers on a number line. The first page...
Illustrative Mathematics
Designs
A resource that makes for excellent group work as students explore the area and perimeter of different complex designs made up of squares and circles. The commentary gives a clear definition of perimeter, but suggests that group members...
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...
Curated OER
The Random Walk
Deep mathematical thinking is found with just a coin and a number line. Combining computing some probabilities in a discrete situation, and the interpretation of a function, this simple task gives learners a lot to think about on...
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
How Many Leaves on a Tree? (Version 2)
A second attack at figuring out the number of leaves on a tree, this activity makes both an excellent follow-up to version 1 and a stand-alone activity. Learners practice setting parameters and deciding acceptable estimate precision, and...
Illustrative Mathematics
The Lighthouse Problem
Long considered the symbol of safe harbor and steadfast waiting, the lighthouse gets a mathematical treatment. The straightforward question of distance to the horizon is carefully presented, followed by a look into the...
Illustrative Mathematics
How Thick Is a Soda Can II?
Science, technology, and math come together in this one combination exercise. Analyzing the common soda can from both a purely mathematical perspective and a scientific angle allows for a surprisingly sophisticated comparison of...
Illustrative Mathematics
Placing a Fire Hydrant
Triangle centers and the segments that create them easily become an exercise in memorization, without the help of engaging applications like this instructional activity. Here the class investigates the measure of center that is...
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
Rational or Irrational?
Is 4 plus the square root of 2 rational or irrational? After your class has gained a basic grasp of rational and irrational numbers, use this worksheet to push them a little further in their understanding. Learners must identify sums and...
Curated OER
Easy Worksheets: Properties 2
In this properties worksheet, students solve 28 short answer problems. Students identify the property illustrated by the example. Students identify the associative, commutative, distributive, etc properties.
Education Development Center
Factoring a Degree Six Polynomial
Within collaborative groups, scholars factor a degree six polynomial. They can factor the polynomial using many different strategies — a great way to prompt mathematical discussion.
Curated OER
Interpreting Statistics: A Case of Muddying the Waters
Is river pollution affecting the number of visitors to Riverside Center, and is the factory built upstream the cause of the pollution? Let your class be the judge, literally, as they weigh the statistical evidence offered by the factory...
Curated OER
Number Sense and Numeration: Square Roots
In this square roots worksheet, 8th graders solve 14 different types of problems to include determining the square root of a number of problems, determining the area of a rectangle and the length of a side of a square with the same...
Curated OER
Will There Be a White Christmas This Year?
Students examine historical weather data, and create map and color key that illustrates the likelihood of a white Christmas in different locations across the United States.
Teach Engineering
Fun Look at Material Science
Introduce materials science with a class demonstration. After showing a PowerPoint presentation on materials and their properties, instructors provide a ceramic tile, a Popsicle stick, a paper clip, and a plastic bag as examples of...
Curated OER
Biomass Energy
Junior ecologists relate how food chains and food webs route matter and energy through an ecosystem. They trace feeding levels of a food chain or food web through a pyramid of energy. As a reinforcement activity, learners construct three...