Banks are responsible for keeping our financial information safe. Mathematics is what allows them to do just that! Pupils learn the math behind the cryptography that banks rely on. Using polynomial identities, learners reproduce the...

Young scholars investigate unit conversion.  In this unit conversion lesson, students will build models of square and cubic centimeters using grid paper and generate formula tables for converting units of area and volume.  The...

How likely is it that the school cafeteria will serve chicken tomorrow? Discover the concept of probability with the roll of the dice. Pupils evaluate the liklihood of several statments about everyday life. Then, a mathematical...

You set the rate! Step into the shoes of a taxi driver in New York City, and also pretend to be a person who uses taxis to get around town. The class will conduct collaborative research to learn about the history of taxis. Then, they...

Deep mathematical thinking is found with just a coin and a number line. Combining computing some probabilities in a discrete situation, and the interpretation of a function, this simple task gives learners a lot to think about on...

What does order of operations have to do with solving equations? A video explains solving two-step equations using a do/undo chart. Learners recognize the operations within an equation and use inverse operations to undo those...

Where did all the variables go? Scholars learn how to interpret an equation when they eliminate all variables during the solving process. They interpret the solution as infinite solutions or no solutions. 

The mean might not always be the best representation of the average. The assessment task has individuals determine the measures of center for the salaries of a company. They determine which of the three would be the best representation...

The class braids irrational numbers, Pythagoras, and perimeter together. The mini-assessment requires scholars to use irrational numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem to find perimeters of rugs. The rugs are rectangular, triangular,...

Of particular interest to a group of business and finance pupils, this lesson explores depreciation of automobile values by comparing the double declining balance to the straight line method. Mostly this is done through a slide...

Planning a unit on simple machines? Save some time and energy with this collection of lessons and activities that explores how these devices are used in the real world to make life a little easier. 

Middle and high schoolers research the life of Pythagoras and the Pythagorean theorem. They write a short biography of Pythagoras and learn to apply the theorem in their study of right triangles.

Students examine and chart data about safety hazards and unsafe situations. In this safety hazard lesson, students examine newspapers and web sites to investigate injuries from safety hazards. They make a spreadsheet using the data and...

Students examine and compare traits of humans and crocodiles.  In this crocodile instructional activity students use a ratio to estimate the height of a person and compare that to a crocodile. 

There are many ways to correlate coffee to life, but in this case a worksheet looks at the price of two different sizes of coffee. It requires interpreting a graph with two unknown variables, in this case the price, and solving for...

Students will use scientific reasoning to formulate ideas about the formation of the universe using the Big Bang Theory. The use of critical thinking skills is part of the activity and the foundation of the scientific method will serve...

A well-rounded unit on positive and negative integers is a great addition to your middle school math class. Learners work through five activities, each focused on a different skill, before playing a Game of Life to practice the...

Let's paint the town equal parts yellow and violet, or simply brown. Pupils calculate the amount of blue and red paint needed to make six quarts of brown paint. Individuals then explain how they determined the percentage of the brown...

This fabulous resource is a must-have for any algebra teacher's arsenal of lessons. Developing the idea of equations and use of variables from basic physical scenarios, learners gain valuable intuition in the structure and meaning of...

It's never too early to learn about grocery budgeting. Middle schoolers delve into the world of consumer math with a lesson that focuses on both healthy choices and real-world math applications. Groups work together to form a grocery...

Scholars find a pattern from a geometric sequence and write the formula for extending it. The instructional activity includes a table to complete plus four analysis questions. It concludes with instructional implications for the teacher.

How does your garden grow? Use proportions to help Tim answer that question. By using their understanding of proportional relationships, pupils determine the number of seeds that will sprout. They create their own linear...

Why do all sizes of pictures not show the same thing? Class members analyze aspect ratios of various sizes of photos. They determine which sizes have equivalent ratios and figure out why some pictures need to be cropped to fit...

Food companies understand how to use math to their advantage. Learners explore the math related to the packaging and serving size of yogurt. They then use unit analysis and percent values to make decisions on the product development.