Inside Mathematics
Conference Tables
Pupils analyze a pattern of conference tables to determine the number of tables needed and the number of people that can be seated for a given size. Individuals develop general formulas for the two growing number patterns and...
American Museum of Natural History
DNA Detective
DNA is like the fingerprint of genetics. A quick lesson introduces the topic of DNA sequences with a mystery about an endangered species. The lesson shows how DNA extraction, replication, and sequencing often provide undeniable evidence...
EngageNY
Successive Differences in Polynomials
Don't give your classes the third degree when working with polynomials! Teach them to recognize the successive differences and identify the degree of the polynomial. The lesson leads learners through a process to develop an understanding...
Inside Mathematics
Hexagons
Scholars find a pattern from a geometric sequence and write the formula for extending it. The worksheet includes a table to complete plus four analysis questions. It concludes with instructional implications for the teacher.
5280 Math
Polygon Polynomials
Patterns in polygons lead to patterns in polynomials. Presented with a series of polygons, individuals create polynomial expressions to represent their patterns. The algebra project consists of nine problems that incorporate polynomial...
Virginia Department of Education
Give or Take a Few
Young mathematicians extend their knowledge of rational numbers on a number line to graph inequalities by first using number cards to compare rational numbers. They finish by using similar reasoning to graph inequalities on a number line.
101 Questions
Can-struction
Can you solve it?! A New York City art challenge involves making sculptures from cans. The task is to determine the number of cans used in the engineering award-winning sculpture. Scholars consider the patterns in the different layers to...
Noyce Foundation
Toy Trains
Scholars identify and continue the numerical pattern for the number of wheels on a train. Using the established pattern and its inverse, they determine whether a number of wheels is possible. Pupils finish...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 4: Linear and Exponential Functions
Sequences and series are traditionally thought of as topics for the pre-calculus or calculus class, when learners are figuring out how to develop limits. But this unit uses patterns and slopes of linear functions in unique ways...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Arithmetic Series
Fall for a series. Learners determine how to find out how far a skydiver falls in the first 20 seconds. The Algebra II lesson introduces the idea of adding up the terms of an arithmetic sequence. Pupils learn how to use Sigma notation to...
101 Questions
Toothpicks
Analyze patterns and build functions. Young scholars work on their modeling skills with an inquiry-based lesson. After watching a video presentation of the problem, they write functions and make predictions.
101 Questions
Tether Ball
All work and no play makes for a boring classroom! Bring back memories by analyzing the patterns of a tether ball. Given the dimensions of the ball, pole, and rope, young scholars must determine how many times the ball will wrap around...
Space Race
Sensory Detectives
Test your learners' sensory awareness with three hands-on activities that ask pupils to use their other senses to identify and describe everyday objects hidden from sight.
Bowland
Patchwork Cushions
Find out if there are enough squares. Given diagrams for the first four figures in a sequence, pupils try to determine the next figure. Individuals find the number of square and triangle pieces of fabric that are required to make...
CK-12 Foundation
Recursive Formulas: Fibonacci Sequence
Explore the building blocks of the Fibonacci Sequence. Given the lengths of sides of squares, pupils deduce the pattern to determine the lengths of two more squares. Learners continue to work with recursive formulas to generate numerical...
EngageNY
Dividing by (x – a) and (x + a)
Patterns in math emerge from seemingly random places. Learners explore the patterns for factoring the sum and differences of perfect roots. Analyzing these patterns helps young mathematicians develop the polynomial identities.
CK-12 Foundation
Sums of Geometric Series
Geometric series either get bigger or approach a single number. So, how do you know which it is? An interactive presents three different geometric series with varying common ratios. With the aid of patterns, pupils determine values of r...
Curated OER
Body Sequencing
Fifth graders listen to a story told by their teacher. They have cards of all of the events in the story. They must "jump" into the correct order of events.
101 Questions
Domino Skyscraper
Can a domino knock over a skyscraper? An inquiry-based lesson asks learners to calculate the size of domino needed to topple the Empire State Building. Using specific criteria and a geometric model, they find a solution.
Curated OER
Finding the Next Term
In this sequencing of numbers worksheet, learners study, analyze and solve the next sequence or term of numbers in thirty-seven patterns of numbers. Students check their answers online as they go through the worksheet.
Curated OER
Counting by 2s, part 2
Two, four, six, eight...can your scholars count by twos? They fill in missing numbers in 18 number sequences, all of which require skip counting by twos. Some begin on an even number and others odd, however all of these are whole...
Math Stars
Math Stars: a Problem-Solving Newsletter Grade 7
Put on your thinking caps because middle school math has never been more interesting in this huge resource full of thought provoking questions. Written as a newsletter, the resource has 10 two-page newsletters with a variety of...
Curated OER
Math Sequencing Activities
Recognizing patterns and sequences in groups of numbers is an essential skill for all students to learn.
Curated OER
Patterns to the Rescue
Students watch the Cyberchase episode, "The Poddleville Case" and play online games to examine how patterns are sequences that repeat or change in an orderly way. The lesson culminates with students creating their own patterns to use in...