Review and use standard units of measure with your math class. They move from station to station estimating and measuring length, volume, weight, and area. At each station they estimate and measure, and then compute the difference...

Via the concrete setting of estimating the population of the US, your algebra learners are introduced to a logistic growth model. Comparing and contrasting logistic, exponential, linear and quadratic models, to see which fits the data...

Your young basketball players will build a table and develop a general formula for a decaying exponential scenario involving the rebound distance of a bouncing ball. Using a CBR and graphing calculator can make this even more hands-on...

Dividing decimals is not hard, but one has to know how to manipulate the decimal point in order to achieve correct answers. In this math presentation, learners are taken through the process step-by-step in a clear and concise fashion....

Without measuring, can estimators determine which string is the longest? The shortest? There are two sets of strings here for learners to evaluate, circling the shortest in the first set and the longest in the second. Next, they eyeball...

Space science and math collide in this inquiry that investigates launching times for antacid-tablet rockets! Upper elementary or middle school learners collect data as they launch these mini rockets. They apply concepts of place value...

Discover creative ways to use surface area formulas. In the assessment task, scholars apply estimation strategies to determine surface area in non-routine problems. They consider surface area of kitchen sponges, rock salt crystals, and...

Reduce variability for more accurate statistics. Through simulation, learners examine sample data and calculate a sample mean. They understand that increasing the number of samples creates results that are more representative of the...

Compute fuel economy and gas mileage. Why? So you can teach rates and ratios, of course! Middle schoolers calculate the rate of miles per gallon for various vehicles. They research each vehicle, its mileage per gallon, and cost per...

Increase your sample and increase your accuracy! Scholars complete an activity that compares sample size to variability in results. Learners realize that the greater the sample size, the smaller the range in the distribution of sample...

Explore using credit in this financial responsibility and math lesson. Learn to identify the acronym of "PRT" as Principle x Rate x Time, then calculate interest based on this formula. Do some real-world problem solving and choose...

What a creative way to delve into adding large numbers! After listening to a story called The King's Chessboard, learners estimate how much money they would have each day following instructions based on doubling and exponentially...

Your young physicists analyze the forms of four equivalent exponential expressions representing an amount of a radioactive material in a substance. They show how each expression is equivalent to the others and what aspects of the decay...

What is your favorite animal at the zoo? Young mathematicians answer eight multiple choice questions, based on a survey of 50 people presented in a pie graph. Additionally, the graph does not display any numbers, but rather...

The square root of five and five do not have the same value! How many times have you addressed this with math classes? A lesson gives an explanation of a square root and gives examples for simplifying square root...

Scholars use formulas for the area of a circle and the area of a rectangle to determine the number of pies a baker can make from a particular area of dough. They must also take into account rolling the remaining dough into a new sheet.

Junior designers brainstorm the elements that a bedroom might have, such as a bed, television, and dresser. They identify which items are needs and which are desires. They practice measurement skills in the classroom by determining its...

How many cars would be involved in a traffic jam 12 miles long? A slightly ambiguous writing prompt gives learners the opportunity to practice making reasonable assumptions to tackle a real-life problem. Few details are given, so they...

Introduce line plots, show examples of tables, graphing on a number line, and engage in a class discussion. Share the process by which statistical data is organized and displayed on a number line. Examples and worksheets are included....

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...

There is more than one way to measure an amount, as learners discover by applying multiple measurement tools in these activities. Centimeter cubes, cylinders, beakers, and measuring cups are used to find the volume of regular and...

Students use their feet to measure distance between themselves and a tree trunk.  In this distance activity, students use the number of steps, and string to measure distances and height of the tree.  Students can get the tree...

Seventh graders explore random sampling by estimating the number of e's on the newspaper. They explain the possible error sources for this type of sampling, and compare the accuracy of sampling a small and large population. This is a...

Trying to get your class to think of decimals as fractions and vice versa can lead to interesting discussions. After all, we can usually understand quickly that 1/4 is .25 but why is 1/7 not so easy to convert? This activity looks...