Computer Science Unplugged
Battleships—Searching Algorithms
How does a computer perform a search in order to find data? The lesson begins with a demonstration on finding one number out of 15. Pairs then play three games of Battleship by using different search techniques. The lesson...
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...
101 Questions
Money Duck
A video presentation shows duck-shaped soap that has a $1, $5, $10, $20, or $50 bill in its center. Learners consider different population distribution of the bills to determine a reasonable price for the duck.
Concord Consortium
Leap Years and Calendars
How many birthdays do leap year babies have in a lifetime? Learners explore the question among others in a lesson focused on different calendar systems. Given explanations of the Julian, Gregorian, and Martian calendars, individuals use...
Illustrative Mathematics
Longer and Heavier? Shorter and Heavier?
For many young children it seems obvious that longer objects are heavier than shorter objects. This assumption is put to the test as the class investigates the relationship between length and weight in a whole-group activity. Using a...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Arithmetic with Polynomials and Rational Expressions
It all starts with arithmetic. An educational resource provides four items to use in summative assessments. The items reflect the basic skill level required by the standards in the domain and are designed to have...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Creating Equations
Using equations to model events. The resource contains four items that prompt individuals to write and solve basic equations. They must reason abstractly and quantitatively while attending to precision when solving the problems.
Computer Science Unplugged
Treasure Hunt—Finite-State Automata
Introduce your class to the concept of finite-state automata with an activity that asks individuals to try to map their way to Treasure Island by taking different routes though an island chain. Each island has two ship sailing...
Illustrative Mathematics
Who Has the Best Job?
Making money is important to teenagers. It is up to your apprentices to determine how much two wage earners make with their after school jobs. Participants work with a table, an equation, and a graph and compare the two workers to see...
Illustrative Mathematics
Daisies in Vases
Have your first graders master word problems with an activity that prompts them to find as many combinations for daisies in vases, with the most in the large vase and the least in the small vase. Pupils must also explain their...
Curated OER
Dividing Fractions
Reciprocals are the method used for dividing fractions in this instructional session. A fraction is defined as being a division problem, and then the whole group works together to solve several problems. They check for the reasonableness...
Balanced Assessment
Square and Circle
To determine the dimensional change to quadruple the area, class members determine how to increase the dimensions of a square and a circle to increase the perimeter by a given factor. they then calculate the necessary factor to...
Concord Consortium
Zero Coupon Bond
There are zero reasons not to learn about zero coupon bonds. Given information about the interest rate and closing price of a zero coupon bond, future investors determine the purchase price of the bond. They then consider the...
Concord Consortium
Not So Identities
Don't compromise the identity. Given pairs of equations, scholars determine whether the equations are true for the same set of values. They explain their reasoning, considering whether it's possible to combine the equations into an...
Discovery Education
Urinalysis
What do lab tests reveal about a patient's health? Scholars perform a simulated urinalysis on two different patients by testing color, pH, glucose levels, and protein levels. Then, they compare their findings to what they know passes...
Illustrative Mathematics
Average Cost
Here is an activity that presents a good example of a function modeling a relationship between two quantities. John is making DVDs of his friend's favorite shows and needs to know how much to charge his friend to cover the cost of making...
Penn Museum
Penn Museum: China Gallery
Invite your learners to take a closer look at the art and mathematical function of dome buildings as designed by the ancient Romans. In the next segment of this attractive activity set, your young historians will then learn about ancient...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Giantburgers
Americans love burgers! Pupils determine whether a given claim about burgers is true by reasoning from the provided information. The task involves operations with scientific notation.
Curated OER
Bead It!
Fourth graders use colored beads in two problems and explore the use of proportional reasoning as a problem solving method. Working Students, in groups, explain their reasoning strategies orally, and through drawings.
Curated OER
Batting Practice: Using Math to Calculate Baseball Statistics
Students calculate and record batting average, hits, and at bats. In this Batting Practice: Using Math to Calculate Baseball Statistics lesson, students utilize mathematical formulas to determine the career statistics of baseball player...
Curated OER
A Look Back
Students explore the contributions of women in the field of mathematics. In this middle or high school mathematics lesson, students use their reading and listening skills to examine lesson targeted at the stereotype of women having...
Curated OER
Choosing the Best Graph
Eighth graders produce and examine two sets of data and create what they believe to be the most appropriate graphs to represent these sets of data. After completing the pre-assessment, they discuss reasons for using each type of graph...
Curated OER
Intro to Polynomials
Seventh graders participate in a lesson plan introducing the mathematical concept of polynomials. They are asked questions and assessed according to the answers given during working in small groups.
Curated OER
Super Sort
Students sort objects based on one characteristic. They define the term "attribute" and give examples of attributes of objects. Students explain their reasoning for sorting objects into groups.