Shodor Education Foundation
Triangle Area
While the lesson focuses on right triangles, this activity offers a great way to practice the area of all triangles through an interactive webpage. The activity begins with the class taking a square paper and cutting in in half; can they...
Oregon Department of Education
Building Number Sense
It's never too early to begin a child's math education. This collection of fun hands-on activities engage youngsters in building their number sense as they learn how to count objects, identify numerals, compare amounts, and much more.
Curated OER
The Intermediate Value Theorem
You and your calculus learners will appreciate this description, discussion, and examples of the Intermediate Value Theorem. Applications of the theorem are also discussed.
Yummy Math
How Much Wrapping Paper Can You Save?
Give the ultimate gift this holiday season: Christmas-themed math skills! Young gift givers calculate the amount of wrapping paper that should be used for a particular wrapping method.
Math Worksheets Land
Unknown Numbers in Sums and Differences
You've hit the word problem jackpot with this set of 10 addition and subtraction scenarios! For each, learners have to find a missing number. Sometimes it is the sum or difference, and for others, an addend or minuend. For each, there is...
Curated OER
Money
Which coins do you need? Scholars are faced with a challenge: using only three coins they must find the exact amount needed for six items. The coins are standard US currency and are pictured at the top, however their value is not listed....
Curated OER
Symmetry
Where is the line of symmetry? Learners begin by drawing in a line to split three images evenly in half, using an example as reference. Encourage them to think about physically folding the picture to solidify this concept. Next, they do...
Illustrative Mathematics
Bowling for Numbers
When do teams want a strike? When they are playing this fun math game modeled after bowling. First, class teams roll four dice to generate the numbers they will use in that round, called a frame, of the game. Next, pins numbered 1...
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
Sounds Really Good! (Sort Of...)
Winning a lottery game with 60% odds sounds like a no brainer. This is when the math kicks in to show players that in the long run, they lose money the more often they play. Here is one simple question that opens the doors to a nice...
Curated OER
Tiles, Blocks, Sapphires & Gold: Designing a Treasure Map
Young cartographers in groups hide treasure at school and then create a map to find it using pattern blocks and tiles. They make paintings with clues to create a visual representation of the location of their treasure. Groups present...
American Library Association
Even and Odd Numbers: Lesson Plans and Sample Problems
If your youngsters are new to numbers, here are several interactive strategies to get them thinking about even and odd numbers. For example, they can count the number of desks, people, etc. in the room and determine if it is even or odd....
Illustrative Mathematics
Musical Preferences
If you like rap music, are you more likely to like rock music? Use statistical analysis to determine if there is a positive association between rap and rock in this particular sample. While the problem is relatively simple, the...
Curated OER
Folding strips of paper
Fifth graders need concrete experiences to introduce a unit on multiplying fractions by fractions. A strip of paper is used to create a number line and represent 5/6. It is folded first in half, and then in quarters. After unfolding,...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Sharing Costs Equitably: Traveling to School
Drive or take the school bus? Class members determine the amount each student would have to pay in a carpool situation. They then evaluate the cost in a set of provided examples. I think I'd rather take the school...
Education Development Center
Extending Patterns with Exponents
Don't think negatively about exponents. Young mathematicians dissect a fictional conversation between pupils trying to evaluate an expression with a negative exponent. This allows them to understand the meaning of negative exponents.
Curated OER
Division of Decimals
Work with the class to investigate the concept of dividing decimals. They will use a variety of problem-solving skills in order to practice the operation of division. The teacher can use the dialogue to guide learners through the various...
California Academy of Science
Be Prepared for an Earthquake
Earthquakes can be frightening and dangerous, but being prepared can make a world of difference. Perform an earthquake simulation during which the class practices how to drop, cover, and hold on as you read a script...
Willow Tree
Line Graphs
Some data just doesn't follow a straight path. Learners use line graphs to represent data that changes over time. They use the graphs to analyze the data and make conclusions.
Balanced Assessment
Fractured Subtraction
Can you spare a 10? Scholars determine digits that could complete a two-digit subtraction problem. They must find all possible combinations of digits and provide an explanation for their reasoning.
Balanced Assessment
Sloppy Student I
"Does this work every time?" We've all heard it. Now learners get to explore methods to answer that question themselves. Pupils analyze a mistake that has been made with creating a formula for multiplying binomials. They then create...
Balanced Assessment
Bicycle Chain II
Apply geometric concepts to a design problem. Individuals examine the structural setup of the chain on a bicycle and use the measurements of the circles to determine the length of the chain.
Balanced Assessment
Fermi Estimates I
Enrico Fermi, the physicist responsible for the first nuclear detonation, was known for his ability to estimate with little or no data. Use this task to have your classes practice their Fermi skills. They estimate the magnitude of three...
Noyce Foundation
Part and Whole
Now you'll never have trouble cutting a cake evenly again. Here is a set of five problems all about partitioning shapes into a given number of pieces and identifying the fractional amount of each piece. As learners progress through the...