In this real-world problem about the rapid growth of rabbit populations, learners must analyze two different scenarios and create mathematical models to represent them. They use their exponential models to answer questions about the...

An in-depth activity that involves a real-world problem about credit card debt. Learners are given a scenario in which Isabella plans to stop using her credit card and pay off the balance by paying a fixed amount each month. The first...

Elapsed time is a skill developed by the single question that is the center of this activity. Fifth graders are asked to find out the time that is 2011 minutes after the beginning of 2011. This question addresses the standard that...

An outbreak of the swine flu on a school campus has caused an increase in the number of boxes of tissues sold by the school store. In a real-world-modeling activity, pupils use composition of functions to determine how the number of...

Introduce learners to exponential growth with this real-world problem about algae that is rapidly spreading across a lake in a city park. The task presents the rate of growth and an end value and asks learners to determine what happened...

Studying slope? This one page worksheet has it covered!  Learners use graphs and coordinates to find slope and also use slope to find a missing coordinate of a point on a line. The lesson also includes a real-world example that asks...

This activity presents a real-world problem about an epidemic of influenza spreading through a city. Learners refer to a graph that shows the number of individuals infected in relation to the number of weeks that have elapsed since...

Using a popular topic, the movies, your class can meet a Common Core criterion. They compare box office movie returns, adjust older movies' incomes for inflation, and in this way use the four operations to solve real-world problems. This...

Here is a cute problem that requires visualizing two-dimensional shapes within a three-dimensional object, and using properties of triangles and the Pythagorean theorem to solve a real-world problem. There is a small mistake in this...

Boxes and cartons of pencils are a natural, real-world example for understanding bundles of ten and their relationship to a hundred. When you have many cartons, you can discuss place value, and how to represent multiple hundreds.  

Using the real-world example of elevation, above or below sea level, young mathematicians interpret expressions using negative signs, and absolute value. This task provides a good opportunity to discuss the notion of magnitude and...

Understanding how to multiply a whole number by a fraction is the key concept. Young mathematicians create a visual model of this real-world example and find the solution. Extensions are possible for making this an even richer activity....

When you divide two integers you can get a decimal form of a rational number that repeats. How do you interpret that number in real-world situations? Her is an example question: What does 2.6666666666 mean in terms of an amount of...

This is a wonderful exercise for learners to apply their critical thinking skills along with their knowledge of quadratic functions and parabolas. Young mathematicians investigate a real-world scenario about the height a baseball reaches...

This activity gets at the heart of algebraic reasoning and setting up equations with one variable to solve real-world problems. The worksheet has only one problem, but it requires that learners first use their own reasoning...

A real-world approach to common multiples asks learners to find different groups of flowers based on their multiples. Useable as a class activity or independent exercise, they will have to organize their thoughts to explain the totals of...

An interesting example of a discrete function and how it is applies to the real world. This could easily make a good collaborative lesson with an environmental science class. Practice reading a table and drawing a scatter plot make up...

What is the meaning of sea level? This resource helps your class understand the meaning of elevations above, below, and at sea level. Provides for good discussion on using positive and negative numbers to represent quantities in the real...

If Microsoft wanted to take over Apple, how many shares would they need to break even? This is an ideal task for seventh graders who are studying proportional relationships and applying them to real-world scenarios. Use it as an...

Learners solve linear equations using graphs. For this algebra lesson, students depict real life situation using lines and functions. They identify the slope, data and predict graphing behavior.

Upper graders define perimeter and area of a rectangle, estimate numbers of cubes and determine the maximum amount that will fit in a given space. In this math instructional activity, pupils complete related worksheet, build prisms and...

Paper and coin currency are shown and reviewed, and then used to apply consumer math skills. Learners are given two examples of how they should line up decimal points and place values when adding or subtracting money. They watch as the...

Third graders explore their multiplication skills. They will use their problem solving skills to solve an everyday math problem that requires them to multiply numbers. This lesson incorporates the use a video titled "Blossom and Snappy...

The use of box scores from baseball games is the foundation of this math instructional activity. Organize your class into groups of four, and give identical box scores from a baseball game that was just played. Have them create word...