Young mathematicians spin their way to a deeper number sense with this fun, collaborative activity. Using two spinners, one with the numbers 0-9 and the other with the decades 00-90, pairs of students take turns building and comparing...

When comparing groups of objects, it's easy for children to identify which has more, but it's not so easy for them to explain their reasoning. This simple whole-group activity provides multiple opportunities for learners to compare...

Place value is a concept that sets a foundation for mathematical understanding. Ordering these sets of three- and four-digit numbers will help to strengthen that foundation. A great independent practice worksheet or short assessment to...

Elevation often confuses people due to a misunderstanding of negative numbers. Scholars practice applied elevation problems in addition to absolute value and coordinate pair questions. Each slide presents one question to help pupils...

Which is colder -12 or -18? Temperature is natural real-world application of ordering rational numbers. It's also fun to talk about the lowest recorded temperature on Earth. Take the time to discuss this inquiry with your class. 

Deepen the number sense of young mathematicians with this unique ordering exercise. Given a list of the numbers 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100, young learners must determine where the numbers from a second list fit in the sequence. To increase...

There are four irrational numbers that participants need to graph. Pi(π), -(½ x π), and √17 are easy to approximate with common rational numbers. On the other hand, the commentary describing the irrational number 2√2 is not...

Introduce a new strategy for comparing fractions by analyzing Melissa's use of benchmarks. Walk the class through her process, calling on students to explain their understanding of each step she took. Then practice this method on two...

A short, multiple choice assessment that determines your 3rd graders' ability to correctly compare fractions with like denominators. This quiz asks learners to compare two fractions using words, the greater than/less than symbols, and...

To work through the complexity of coordinate geometry pupils make the connection between the coordinate plane and the complex plane as they plot complex numbers in the 11th part of a series of 32. Making the connection between the two...

Classmates apply midpoint concepts by leapfrogging around the complex plane. The 12th instructional activity in a 32 segment unit, asks pupils to apply distances and midpoints in relationship to two complex numbers. The class develops a...

Subtracting negative numbers can be confusing to your middle schoolers. Here, they are able to draw a number line and put their answer in sentence form to check their understanding of negative numbers. 

How much money did Helen, Sandra, Nita, Luis, and Anthony raise? Compare their amounts with a task that asks learners to answer questions like how many times as much?

Young mathematicians compare the growth of two snake lengths in feet over one year in a straightforward word-problem task.

The ninth installment of a 21-part module has pupils compare integers and rational numbers in decimal and fraction form. They match stories to number lines and compare values in the stories.

Statements often have multiple interpretations — but not these inequality statements. Scholars compare rational numbers and write inequality statements symbolically. The lesson includes problems that require comparing three numbers.

Provide pupils with problems to check their understanding of the concepts within the unit. The seven-part series of lessons covers concepts related to irrational numbers. Learners convert between fractions and decimals, estimate the...

Ensure your class has a solid understanding of positive and negative integers before moving on. The 14th installment of a 21-part series is a mid-module assessment. Scholars solve problems on positive and negative integers, on...

Don't be irrational! Use this pre-test to assess your classes' ability to work with all types of real numbers. The lesson asks learners to estimate value, evaluate roots, and order numbers. This begins a series of lessons on the real...

Connect division with multiplication through the use of models. Groups solve problems involving the division of a whole number by a fraction using models. The groups share their methods along with the corresponding division and...

Let's build a castle! Dennis and Cody have big plans, but do they have enough blocks between the two of them to accomplish their goal? A great context that requires students to add and compare mixed numbers. Encourage the use of pictures...

What better way to learn about fractions than with a couple pizzas? Help Jessica figure out how much of the pizza she has eaten, while teaching your class that fractions refer to a specific whole amount. This problem will be challenging...

Add some randomization into simulations. The 11th installment in a series of 25 presents two new methods to use in simulations--colored disks, and random numbers. Pupils use random numbers to run simulations where the probabilities make...

A rational number is a ratio of two integers. Discuss with your class how to convert the rational numbers of repeating decimals to fractions. A good commentary on letting x equal the repeating decimal and multiplying each side of...