Building Blocks

Building blocks have more uses than simply entertaining children. Young mathematicians calculate the volume of a given cube, and then calculate the volume and surface area of a prism formed from multiple cubes.

Math is a lot like building blocks—it requires a solid foundation. A short performance task has pupils consider the volume of a cubic block. It then asks mathematicians to find the surface area and volume of a prism made from stacking...

Let's build a castle! Dennis and Cody have big plans, but do they have enough blocks between the two of them to accomplish their goal? A great context that requires students to add and compare mixed numbers. Encourage the use of pictures...

Are you looking for a good 3-D geometry instructional activity that includes hands-on activities for your middle schoolers? Look no further than this one! Pupils use centimeter grid paper embedded in the plan, along with detailed...

Build on techies' knowledge of engineering design. A set of STEM lessons for grades one through six provides instructors with suggestions for engineering instruction. The activities require pupils to design and build structures, such as...

Here's a great lesson that uses one of the best manipulatives there is: pattern blocks. Elementary schoolers must fill in a variety of shapes using specific amounts of pattern blocks. This forces them to do some spatial mathematical...

Break out the base ten blocks for this presentation on long division. Looking at two separate examples, step-by-step instructions are provided for dividing two- and three-digit numbers by single-digit divisors. Engage the class by...

Five questions make up an interactive all about whole-number exponents. Movable building blocks create a visual tool to aide mathematicians in answering multiple-choice and true or false problems. The interactive ends with a discussion...

Fifth graders explore geometric building blocks in the real world in order to describe the characteristics and relationships of points, lines, line segments, rays, and planes. This is the first lesson plan in a series of lessons in...

Developing fluency with long division is a big step in the education of young mathematicians. With the support of base ten blocks, learners deepen their understanding of the operation in this elementary math lesson. Although it indicates...