PBL Pathways
Potassium-Argon Dating
Find the age of a fictional sample of rocks using a genuine approach. A well-designed lesson asks young mathematicians to use exponential modeling to analyze half-life. As a project-based learning activity, scholars communicate their...
Curated OER
Teaching the Scientific Method Using Adhesives
Middle schoolers research on the history of adhesives. In this science lesson, students select one test to use in finding the stickiness of adhesives. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
EduGAINs
Solving Linear Equations
To find x, you have to get it by itself, correct? Individuals solve a linear word problem and share their solutions with others that solved the problem in a similar fashion. They then complete a self-assessment on how they feel about...
Kentucky Department of Education
Multi-Digit Multiplication Strategies
There is more than one way to solve a multiplication problem, and many learners find that the lattice multiplication method can be a helpful one. Fourth graders take an initial formative assessment before working in groups of two or...
Kenan Fellows
The Effects of Environmental Conditions on Aquatic Organisms
What kind of experiment can your class do to how observe the environment effects on organisms? Groups design and conduct lab experiments to learn about the effects of the environment on aquatic organisms. Based upon knowledge gained from...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Simplifying Fractions Activity
Warm-up pupils' fraction muscles with a four-question quiz, then delve into a learning game designed to reinforce the concept of simplifying fractions. Based on the "I do, We do, You do" method of teaching, the lesson directly exhibits...
NASA
Next Generation Spacecraft—Orion
What is the cross-sectional area of the Orion spacecraft? Groups work together to estimate the area of a cross section of the Orion spacecraft by first counting the number of grids a scale drawing covers. Pupils also employ a method...
5280 Math
Decimal Patterns
Find patterns in the process instead of the result. Learners convert series of decimals and fractions identifying patterns along the way. The lesson includes nine problem tasks with progressively more involved patterns.
Mathematics Vision Project
Circles: A Geometric Perspective
Circles are the foundation of many geometric concepts and extensions - a point that is thoroughly driven home in this extensive unit. Fundamental properties of circles are investigated (including sector area, angle measure, and...
Virginia Department of Education
Side to Side
Congruent figures: two figures that want to be just like each other. Individuals learn to distinguish between figures that are congruent and those that are not. Measuring the lengths of line segments and angles helps in this endeavor.
Education Development Center
Making Sense of Unusual Results
Collaboration is the key for this equation-solving lesson. Learners solve a multi-step linear equation that requires using the distributive property. Within collaborative groups, scholars discuss multiple methods and troubleshoot mistakes.
Education Development Center
Choosing Samples
What makes a good sample? Your classes collaborate to answer this question through a task involving areas of rectangles. Given a set of 100 rectangles, they sample a set of five rectangles to estimate the average area of the figures. The...
Achieve
Framing a House
If members of your class wonder where they can use the math they learn in middle school, let them discover the answer. Learners apply geometry concepts of scale and measure to calculate the costs of framing a house addition.
Illustrative Mathematics
Cup of Rice
Dividing with fractions is not a favorite task, so provide your learners with a visual understanding. The activity breaks a simple division problem into something they can comprehend. Use this method for future problems with fractions.
Workforce Solutions
Discover Your Interests
Career exploration is the focus of a lesson that encourages pupils to choose a profession based on their strengths and interests. Following a thoughtful discussion covering different character traits, class members complete an interest...
EngageNY
Conversion Between Celsius and Fahrenheit
Develop a formula based upon numerical computations. The 31st part of a 33-part unit has the class determine the formula to convert a temperature in Celsius to a temperature in Fahrenheit. They do this by making comparisons between the...
Mascil Project
Building a Safe Staircase
Climb up the staircase of engineering knowledge. After watching a video of a carpenter measuring out steps for a set of stairs, pupils learn about the terminology and regulations involving stairs. They see how to use a rule of thumb when...
Rochester Institue of Technology
Meal Picking
Scholars explore systems design and its relation to meal picking by using computer simulations to test systems designs. They learn about the Pick-to-Light System and calculate average picking times.
University of North Carolina
Literature (Fiction)
An informative installment of the Writing for Specific Fields series helps readers learn how to interpret and write about fiction. The website details nine easy steps for writing a literary analysis—a useful method for all readers!
Curated OER
Add It Up In Number Ville! Adding 2-Digit Numbers With and Without Regrouping
Students explore adding 2-digit numbers. In this math lesson, students identify 2-digit numbers and use base ten blocks to practice adding. Students use addition to break a code.
Cornell University
Fibers, Dyes, and the Environment
Nanofibers can be made through electrospinning or force spinning in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Pupils study the role of fibers and dye on the environment through a series of five hands-on activities. Then,...
Curated OER
Catapults
Students are introduced to the concept of a catapult and how it is used with the help of a media presentation. They use catapults in a large, open area and record the distances objects travel. Students use the scientific method while...
Curated OER
Rice and More Rice
Fifth graders explore problem solving strategies for mathematical estimation. In this math problem solving lesson, 5th graders predict how many grains of rice are in a jar, practice establishing and looking for patterns in...
Curated OER
Systems of Equations: What Method Do You Prefer?
Students explore the concept of solving systems of equations. In this solving systems of equations lesson, students watch YouTube videos about how to solve systems by graphing and by elimination. Students use an interactive website to...