Improving Measurement and Geometry in Elementary Schools
The Sum of the Interior Angles of a Polygon
Junior geometers discover that polygons can be decomposed into triangles and that the number of triangles can be determined by a rule. Note that the Geometer’s Sketchpad® software is required to carry out all components of this...
Curated OER
On the Trail of the Blue Crab
Third graders read the article "Blue Claw," discuss crab migration, and look at a map of the Hudson River. They complete a worksheet where they must use subtraction to determine the distance migrating crabs travel.Web links, article, and...
Curated OER
Cylinders and Scale
Students review what a cylinder is and how a cylinder is measured. They build a variety of cylinders with different heights and radii. They compare the surface area and volume of each cylinder and discuss anything that surprises them...
Curated OER
Stop Signs, Musical Notes, Letters & Logos: Designing Symbols
Students develop an awareness of environmental print, such as signs, logos, brand names, and other print and non-print items that the children see and read in their neighborhood each day. They then engage in active problem solving as...
Teach Engineering
Fairly Fundamental Facts About Forces and Structures
Don't twist and turn looking for a resource. The first installment of a six-part series teaches young engineers about the five fundamental forces of compression, tension, shear, bending, and torsion. These forces help explain different...
Illustrative Mathematics
Haircut Costs
Who pays more for haircuts, men or women? Given quartile values, learners construct box and whiskers plots and interpret the results. They compare the mean and median, and discuss which is more appropriate under particular conditions....
Curated OER
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Sixth graders examine the causes of the stock market crash of 1929. In this integrated math/history unit on the stock market, 6th graders study, research, and read stocks, visit a local bank, and create a PowerPoint to show the...
Curated OER
An Introduction to Quadrilaterals
Students explore the concept of quadrilaterals. In this quadrilateral lesson, students play with a floor tile applet to see that there are many types and characteristics of quadrilaterals including parallelograms, trapezoids, rectangles,...
Curated OER
Does the Area of the Quadrilateral Change?
Students study area and quadrilaterals. In this multiplication and area lesson, students use Polystrip models to change rectangles to form different parallelograms. Students find the area of the models use a Geometer Sketchpad to find...
Curated OER
The Trip Around the Sun
Sixth graders investigate the relationship between the tilt of the Earth's axis and the seasons. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders sing the song "Why Do We Have Seasons" and use simulate the Earth's tilt by using their bodies.
Curated OER
Modeling Mania
Learners describe techniques helpful in solving spatial problems which utilize the notion that a model is a simplified version of something complicated. They utilize methods such as sketching or drawing possible solutions to a problem.
Mathematics TEKS Toolkit
Grade 6: Exploring c/d = pi
Introduce your math class to the perimeter of a circle. Teach them that pi describes the relationship between the circumference and the diameter. As a hands-on investigation, pairs or small groups use string to compare these two values...
Curated OER
Multiplying Polynomials
Students explore the concept of multiplying polynomials. In this multiplying polynomials lesson, students watch a video clip about basic math skills. Students work in groups on an exploration about why a binomial squared equals a perfect...
Curated OER
Introduction to Fractals: Infinity, Self-Similarity and Recursion.
This instructional activity introduces students to the ideas involved in understanding fractals. They develop a sense of infinity, self-similarity and recursion and
Curated OER
Simulating Mixture Problems with Colored Beads
Students practice creating mixtures out of colored beads.
Curated OER
Introduction to Fractals: Geometric Fractals
Learners study and observe the patterns made by the areas of the Sierpinski Triangle. Students use the computer to draw two or three iterations to discover the number patterns. Learners complete worksheets based on Geometric Fractals.
Curated OER
Immigration Unit
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
Curated OER
Finding the Area Under A Curve with Random Probability
Students explore the concept of area under a curve. For this area under a curve lesson, students find the area under a curve using the Monte Carlo method using random points and probability. Students calculate the area under the same...
Curated OER
Geometry In Space
Students Fulfill the requirements of Texas Standards as it relates to math and science. In this circle lesson, students identify the arcs and angles of a circle as it relates to Pi. They solve real life scenarios using space as an example.
Curated OER
Fractions of a Set
Third graders use fractions to describe part of a set. In this fractions instructional activity, 3rd graders are introduced to fractions through a book and use pattern blocks to describe a fraction as a part of a set. This instructional...
Alabama Learning Exchange
The Grouchy Ladybug
Students listen to the book, "The Grouchy Ladybug" by Eric Carle and sequence the events in the story. Using a graph, they draw and color the animals that the ladybug meets next to the corresponding time from the story, and conduct...
Curated OER
Away We Go!
Students study types of transportation. In this transportation lesson, students survey several classes to gather data on how they get to school. Students create a transportation graph.
Curated OER
Symmetry in Paper Airplanes
Young scholars explore symmetry. In this geometry and scientific inquiry lesson, students design paper airplanes with middle line symmetry, as well as right, obtuse, and acute angles. Young scholars measure the plane's angles...
Curated OER
Color Dots 2
Students develop simple observations. They observe bleeding of colored inks with water, to understand mixtures, and to make generalized inferences from their observations.