Curated OER
Nothing But Problems
Here is a fabulous instructional activity on problem solving in the mathematical world. In it, third and fourth graders get lots of great coaching on how to approach word problems, and how to best find a solution. They watch an episode...
Curated OER
Quilt Squared
Students study West Virginia quilts. In this mathematics instructional activity, students use symmetry, geometric shapes, and patterns to create their own quilt square.
Curated OER
Solving Equations Using Two Operations
Need more detail in showing your class how to solve two-step equations and proportions? This lesson plan outlines the steps young mathematicians need to solve simple equations and check their results.
Kent State University
How Does that Work?
Sixth and seventh graders explore algebra word problems. They work with a partner to solve word problems distributed by e-mail. Learners simplify mathematical expressions following a "think aloud" algebra strategy modeled by the teacher....
Mathematics Assessment Project
Increasing and Decreasing Quantities by a Percent
As part of a study of percent and percent change, learners first complete an assessment task with several percent change problems. They then complete an activity using cards to create a diagram expressing percent increases and...
California Education Partners
Window Washers
Aim high with a task on window washers. An assessment task challenges learners to determine the number of windows two people wash. They do this using a given number of window rows on each side of a building. In addition, they find the...
Helping with Math
Addition: Number Bonds to 20
Pupils fill in the missing addend to an addition problem that adds up to 20. This number could be a one-digit or two-digit number. They complete a total of 41 missing addend problems. Answers are available.
California Education Partners
Speedy Texting
Model the effects of practice on texting speed. Pupils develop a linear equation that models the change in texting speed based on the amount of practice. The sixth performance task in an eight-part series requires learners to solve...
Education Development Center
Writing Numerical Expressions—Hexagon Tables
Explore a basic pattern to practice writing expressions. In collaborative groups, learners examine a contextual pattern and write an expression to model it. The task encourages groups to describe the pattern in multiple ways.
Inside Mathematics
Winning Spinners
Winning a spin game is random chance, right? Pupils create a table to determine the sample space of spinning two spinners. Individuals determine the probability of winning a game and then modify the spinners to increase the probability...
Illustrative Mathematics
Ants Versus Humans
You would think that humans make up more mass than ants do on this planet, but think again, and this time by performing calculations. Middle schoolers use scientific notation to compute and compare the estimated total mass of all humans...
California Education Partners
Theater Field Trip
Here's an assessment task that's better than watching a show. Young mathematicians solve word problems involving multiplication and division with equal groups. They must find the total number of attendees on a trip to a theater based on...
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Interpreting Algebraic Expressions
The title of this lesson should be "Algebraic Expressions Four Ways." Not only will your class be translating verbal descriptions of algebraic expressions to symbols, but also working with their geometric interpretation via area as well...
California Education Partners
John's Trip Disneyland
It all adds up to one. Pupils solve several items that involve finding sums of fractions in relationship to a whole. The assessment task uses fractions with unlike denominators to determine the amount of a tank of gas and the amount of...
California Education Partners
Fun on the Farm
Let imaginations run wild as participants design animal pens. A performance task challenges young mathematicians to determine the perimeter or a missing side length of different animal pens. They then design pens that meet given...
California Education Partners
Tile Mural
Paste this resource into your lesson plans like you'd paste a tile onto a mural. Given a diagram of a tile mural with rectilinear figures, future artists determine the perimeters and areas of the figures. They must then develop their own...
Curated OER
Discovering Math: Computation
Middle schoolers add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers. They find the square and the cube of numbers. They create a game incorporating computation on rational numbers. Everyone works together to write and evaluate...
Curated OER
Measurement
Pupils create two prisms out of the same paper. They calcuate the number of centimeter cubes needed to fill each prism. They discover the concept of volume.
Curated OER
Counting on Frank
Eighth graders read a book "Counting on Frank" with a partner. Using the text, they identify eight clues and use their mathematical reasoning in real-life situations. They participate in a game and turn in a notebook in which they write...
Manchester University
Lesson 51: Scientific Notation
Discuss scientific notation with this mathematics lesson. Middle schoolers predict which problem is bigger of two numbers. They analyze the problems by observing the powers of 10 in order to decide which is bigger. This appears to be an...
Curated OER
The Distributive Property
Students review how to solve problems using the Distributive Property of Mathematics. They solve problems using the paper and pencil method and then use the graphing calculator to discover the property over addition while making a visual...
Curated OER
Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Properties
Students explore the concept of the associative, commutative, and distributive properties. In the associative, commutative, and distributive properties lesson, students discuss real world examples of each property. Students demonstrate...
Curated OER
Mathematical Relationships
Young scholars practice graphing a linear equation and a parabolic equation. They work cooperatively to select numbers, including fractions, which they will put into ordered pairs. Students explain their process to the class, discussing...
Curated OER
Mathematical Proofs
Students explore the nature of mathematical proofs and mathematical inquiry. They complete the activity "Using the Pythagorean Theorem". They read selected articles and participate in class discussions.