EngageNY
Tables of Equivalent Ratios
Don't table the discussion on equivalent ratios — do it now! Scholars create tables of equivalent ratios to represent contextual problems. Pupils go on to use the tables to answer questions within the context. The instructional activity...
Curated OER
Dan's Badge
Students solve a math problem using area formulas of circles and squares. They read and discuss the problem, analyze images of badges, reconstruct the badge from the problem using circles and rulers, and share the solution with the class.
Kenan Fellows
Lego Thinking and Building
Run a simulated airplane manufacturing plant with your pupils as the builders! Learners build Lego airplane models and collect data on the rate of production, comparing the number produced to the number defective. Using linear...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Modeling Division of Fractions
Introduce young mathematicians to the process of dividing fractions with a hands-on math lesson. Using the help of fraction strips and other visual models, children work through a series of example problems as they...
Curated OER
Tennis Ball Tubes
Students determine whether the height of a tennis ball tube or the distance around the tube is greater, or whether they are the same. Using the formula for the circumference and diameter of a sphere, they discuss the word problem, and in...
Curated OER
Walk-A-Thon
Students graph linear http://www.lessonplanet.com/review?id=180542equations. For this problem solving lesson, students calculate slope and plot ordered pairs on a coordinate grid. Using a real-life example of a walk-a-thon, students...
Curated OER
Finding the Area of Shapes
In this area of shapes unit, upper graders participate in hands-on problem solving activities to find the formulas for the area of a parallelogram, a triangle, and a trapezoid. They manipulate the geoboard to explore relationships among...
Curated OER
12 Days of Christmas
Students utilize different problem-solving strategies and creative writing when dealing with the words from the song, "12 Days of Christmas." They try to problem solve how may presents were given and then explain their sequence in the...
Curated OER
Patterns and Pentominoes
Students solve pentomino puzzles. In this problem solving lesson, students discuss how pentomino puzzles play into the plot of Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett and practice solving a pentomino puzzle on their own....
EngageNY
Unknown Angle Proofs—Writing Proofs
What do Sherlock Holmes and geometry have in common? Why, it is a matter of deductive reasoning as the class learns how to justify each step of a problem. Pupils then present a known fact to ensure that their decision is correct.
EngageNY
Unknown Angle Proofs—Proofs with Constructions
Provide your emerging mathematicians with the tools to learn as they incorporate auxiliary lines to solve unknown angle proofs in this continuing segment. They decipher information from a diagram to uncover the missing pieces and...
EngageNY
Piecewise and Step Functions in Context
Looking for an application for step functions? This activity uses real data to examine piecewise step functions. Groups create a list of data from varying scenarios and create a model to use to make recommendations to increase...
Curated OER
Box It Up
Students use a six-step problem solving method to design a box/container. They are given the criteria for evaluation when presented with the problem. Students keep a notebook on processes, procedures, material, cost, design, machines,...
Curated OER
Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages Got You Down? "Tri" This!
Students explore number sense by creating a math presentation in class. In this parts of a whole lesson, students define and discuss the relationship between fractions, decimals and percentages before completing a problem worksheet in...
Shodor Education Foundation
InteGreat
Hands-on investigation of Riemann sums becomes possible without intensive arithmetic gymnastics with this interactive lesson plan. Learners manipulate online graphing tools to develop and test theories about right, left, and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Margie Buys Apples
One of the most common, everyday applications of math is dealing with money. This single problem calculating how much change Margie receives is more involved than it appears at first glance. An understanding of how fractions and decimals...
Illustrative Mathematics
Field Day Scarcity
Introduce young mathematicians to concepts of financial literacy with this open-ended word problem. With seven dollars to spend during field day and given a list of available items and their prices, children must determine how they want...
Curated OER
Study Buddies: Adding Two-Digit Numbers
Some times a simple lesson is all you need. Here are 2 worksheets that can be used as a lesson on problem solving, addition, and partner work. The first worksheet has learners use a tens and ones charts to practice adding simple...
Curated OER
Find 2/3
This short problem with representing fractions on a number line is more than meets the eye. Labeled only with the numbers zero and 1/4, a number line is used to locate the fraction 2/3. A solution can be found in multiple ways, but young...
Curated OER
Green Stuff: Designing an Earth-Friendly Room
In this activity students explore earth-friendly materials that can be used in home environments. They learn about the relationship between the environment and design, and use a variety of problem-solving strategies. They work in...
Willow Tree
Graphing
So many methods and so little time! The efficient method of graphing a linear equation depends on what information the problem gives. Pupils learn three different methods of graphing linear equations. They graph equations using...
EngageNY
Getting the Job Done—Speed, Work, and Measurement Units II
How fast is your class? Learners determine the amount of time it takes individuals to walk a given distance and calculate their speeds. Pupils solve distance, rate, and time problems using the formula and pay attention to the...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Properties of Multiplication
Unlock the keys to fluent multiplication with this upper-elementary math lesson. After an introduction to the five properties of multiplication, students match cards with different math problems to posters describing each...
Teach Engineering
Bone Mineral Density Math and Beer's Law
Hop into a resource on Beer's Law. A PowerPoint presentation introduces Beer's law as part of calculating bone density from X-ray images in the sixth lesson plan in the series of seven. Individuals work on practice problems with this law...