Baylor College
Food: The Math Link
Enrich your study of food science with with these math worksheets. They offer a variety of food-related word problems that are great practice for multiplying, identifying fractions, estimating length, and performing calculations...
Bowland
You Reckon?
Sometimes simple is just better. A set of activities teaches young mathematicians about using plausible estimation to solve problems. They break problems down to simpler problems, use rounding and estimation strategies, and consider...
Illustrative Mathematics
Calculating and Rounding Numbers
Mathematicians need to know that not all numbers are rational. We approximate irrational number with rational numbers. That is why a calculator may be misleading. This task give learners an opportunity to see how rounding a number and...
Illustrative Mathematics
How Thick Is a Soda Can I?
The humble soda can gets the geometric treatment in an activity that links math and science calculations. After a few basic assumptions are made and discussed, surface area calculations combine with density information to develop an...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Pumpkins... Not Just For Halloween
Celebrate fall with four pumpkin themed hands-on activities! After learning about pumpkins, scholars complete two activity sheets that reinforce estimation and word problems. They then plant pumpkin seeds and bake a pie in...
Illustrative Mathematics
How Many Leaves on a Tree?
This is great go-to activity for those spring or fall days when the weather beckons your geometry class outside. Learners start with a small tree, devising strategies to accurately estimate the leaf count. They must then tackle the...
Illustrative Mathematics
How Many Cells Are in the Human Body?
Investigating the large numbers of science is the task in a simple but deep activity. Given a one-sentence problem set-up and some basic assumptions, the class sets off on an open-ended investigation that really gives some...
Illustrative Mathematics
Estimating Square Roots
No calculators! Assure your learners that they can find the square root of a large number. All they need are two known squares close by and a table. Come up with an additional practice and your number crunchers will have it mastered in...
David Pleacher
Candy Math Fun
Few things can motivate children to learn like the promise of a sweet and tasty treat. Given a bag of M&M®s, Skittles®, or other colorful candy, students first predict the contents of the bag before counting the pieces,...
Teach Engineering
About Accuracy and Approximation
How accurate are robots? Groups draw lines by moving robots backwards and forwards by one rotation of the wheels. Using the appropriate formula, they determine the percent error in the length of the lines in relation to the calculated...
Teach Engineering
Cost Comparisons
Our final proposal for the cost of the bridge requested is ... In the last segment in a series of 10, pairs work together to develop a proposal for a city bridge design. The class completes a cost comparison between concrete and steel to...
Illustrative Mathematics
Traffic Jam
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...
Illustrative Mathematics
Equivalent fractions approach to non-repeating decimals
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...
Census at School
Just How Old Are You?
Do you know how old you are in seconds, minutes, days, weeks, or months? This intriguing question is presented as a way for learners to estimate in units of time. They'll build a better sense of what each increment of time is as they...
International Technology Education Association
Sizing Up the Clouds
How much rain can that cloud make? Through a simulation, the class estimates the amount of candy rain contained in different cup clouds. After probing the clouds using different methods, class members adjust their estimates. Participants...
AAA Math
Aaa Math: Estimating a Sum by Rounding
Use rounding to estimate the answer to an addition problem in this online game. As you play the game, running totals of correct and incorrect answers and your score are displayed.
AAA Math
Aaa Math: Front End Estimation
Front-end estimation is explained and demonstrated with an online game at this AAA Math lesson.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Max's Math Adventures: A Sweet Story
In this Max's Math Adventure, estimate pieces of candy with Max, Ruthie, and Pop. Features include a teacher's guide, activity sheet, and extra challenges.
Quia
Ixl Learning: Rounding Numbers
Brush up on your math skills relating to rounding numbers then try some practice problems to test your understanding.
AAA Math
Aaa Math: Estimating a Sum by Rounding
This site explains how to estimate sums of whole numbers. Gives practice and games to practice this skill.
Other
Mr. Pitonyak's Pyramid Puzzle
Students estimate the cost of building an Egyptian pyramid with modern materials and ancient building methods in this math project.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Nctm: Figure This: Do Women Live Longer Than Men?
Use this site to figure out if women really do live longer than men. A math challenge taken from today's health journals that explores data collection, data analysis, patterns, and graphing skills. Learn how mastering these skills can be...
Teaching Treasures Publications
Teaching Treasures: Year Six Math (Page 2)
This interactive worksheet covers a wide range of math concepts such as Roman Numerals, distributive property, estimating sums, and comparing fractions and decimals. Some concepts may be slightly challenging. Learners can access the help...
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Nctm: Figure This: Popcorn (Pdf)
If you're a popcorn lover, you might want to take this math challenge. A real-world challenge on visually estimating volume of popcorn containers. A one page activity from the NCTM Math for Families collection. Life skill applications...