Source: NewsHour Extra
Convert equations to fractions, convert from one unit of measure to another and solve problems involving conversions.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Scientific American Frontiers
Experience the relative size of humpback whales by creating a whale-sized drawing outdoors from a small-scale diagram. Use skills in measurement, perspective and drawing, and compare the finished drawing to the size of a car.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Measurement. Animals: Mammals. Oceanography.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Explore the idea that the design of a parachute will have an effect on the length of time it takes to descend. Construct parachutes, use the distance formula to compute the rate of descent and look for patterns connecting shape with hang times.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Design & Invention.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Utah Education Network: Core Lesson Plans
Explore the algebra concepts of variable, constant, expressions and equations. Examine a pair of two-step equations and determine whether they are equal or which one represents the larger amount.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Problem Solving.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Ken Burns American Stories
Play Shadow Ball, a simulation that pantomimes the game of baseball based on the mathematics needed for basic calculations of throwing times between fielders and other known factors. Predict results of plays based on data analysis.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Health & Fitness, Math
Topics: Sports. Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Scientific American Frontiers
Investigate the brain and its connections - the number of possible routes along which a brain message might travel - by solving and creating geometric progressions. Conduct an experiment to learn about stimulus and response.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subjects: Health & Fitness, Math
Topics: Body Systems & Senses. Patterns and Algebraic Thinking. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Scientific American Frontiers
Emulate the work of a forensic scientist by observing the relationship between scatter and distance. Assemble a projectile-hurling device called a potato cannon and analyze the spread pattern of paint soaked projectiles.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Measurement. Patterns and Algebraic Thinking. Functions and Algebra. Human Biology. Paleontology.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: NOVA
Investigate how ciphers can conceal and protect information and how they have been used. Decode an encrypted message using trial-and-error substitution and put a simple message into a complex cipher using a decoder ring.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Problem Solving. World History: 1900-1945. World History: 1945-1990.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Utah Education Network: Core Lesson Plans
Explore common denominators using dominoes as graphical models for adding unlike fractions.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Design an experiment to model a leaky faucet, and determine the amount of water wasted due to the leak. Graph the data, write an equation for a line of best fit and make predictions based on the data.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Applied Mathematics. Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Compare approval voting to standard voting, and apply the five kinds of voting to an election to determine the winner in a variety of situations.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations. Civics: Community & Citizenship.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Create a formula for determining the total points for a candidate, then use the formula to determine the winner of an election using the Borda Count method.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations. Civics: Community & Citizenship.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Develop a formula for the number of pairwise comparisons that will have to be considered in an election, then use the formula to determine the winner in an election requiring pairwise comparison.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations. Civics: Community & Citizenship.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Explore the game of baseball, then use what you've learned to use decimals and ratios to analyze key statistical data, draft players and make trades, based on an analysis of the data.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Health & Fitness, Math
Topics: Sports. Applied Mathematics. Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: PBS 45 & 49: Ama-zone! The Rain Forest Project
Use a trigonometry function to determine the height of a tree.
Make a graph comparing the height of a local tree and the height of the layers of the rain forest.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Geography.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Utah Education Network: Core Lesson Plans
Graph growing patterns using ordered pairs on a coordinate grid. Create houses from squares and triangles, graph the squares on the x-axis and the triangles on the y-axis and double the size of the house, graphing the growth.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Patterns and Algebraic Thinking. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Explore rates of change and percents by using a dosage chart to calculate the amount of medicine building up in a patient's system over time. Calculate the maximum level of the medicine that would eventually accumulate in the patient's body.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Health & Fitness, Math
Topics: Medicine. Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Investigate the history and rules of the Tower of Hanoi game, and attempt to solve the puzzle with various numbers of variables. Complete a table recording the number of moves, and use it to determine a rule for the minimum number of moves.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Patterns and Algebraic Thinking. Problem Solving. Functions and Algebra. World History: 1750-1900.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Apply knowledge of scatter plots to discover the correlation between heartbeats per minute before and after aerobic exercise.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Health & Fitness, Math
Topics: Fitness. Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Lewis And Clark
Collect leaf specimens and measure their length and width to the nearest millimeter. Write a detailed scientific description of a tree that includes data about its height, circumference and general appearance.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math, Reading & Language Arts
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Measurement. Numbers and Operations. Writing: Composition.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Estimate the relationships among the capacities of several non-standard containers, verify those relationships, express them using variables and apply them to determine equivalent amounts for each unit.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Measurement.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: NOVA
Understand that different cultures have used different calendar systems to mark time, examine the Maya Long Count calendar system and use it to determine your birthday and other dates.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations. Problem Solving. World History: 1000 BCE-300 CE.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Compare money values of the time of President Thomas Jefferson's presidency with today. Create and interpret graphs to calculate the actual price of the Louisiana Territory and the cost of Jefferson's library in today's dollars.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Numbers and Operations. Patterns and Algebraic Thinking. Functions and Algebra. Economics. United States History: 1754-1820s.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Explore the mathematics of architecture by investigating the unusual shapes of some of the rooms in the White House, such as the Blue Room's elliptical shape. Use a graph to plot, draw and determine the equation of an ellipse.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, The Arts
Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Geometry and Spatial Sense. Architecture.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Use number theory and problem-solving skills to investigate when certain planets in the solar system are aligned.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Atmosphere & Space Science.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Determine the number of standard 8-ft. sections needed to fence a yard of unequal dimensions. Select the fencing pattern that best suits the symmetry of the design and the budget of the customers.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Measurement.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Utah Education Network: Core Lesson Plans
Find patterns in perimeter, area and volume using square tiles and interlocking cubes. Chart and graph the information.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Patterns and Algebraic Thinking. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Gather two sets of data (your arm span and height), design and plot a scattergram of the data and interpret the meaning of individual coordinates and the overall graph.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Human Biology.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Explore an exponential growth pattern using problem solving, reasoning, communications and connections. Follow the pattern and create a mathematical rule to determine how many people a rumor spreads to during a period of time.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Set up a spreadsheet using a computer or graphing calculator, and perform calculations using columns. Calculate percentages and solve a system of equations regarding baseball statistics.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Health & Fitness, Math
Topics: Sports. Functions and Algebra. Statistics.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Explore, explain and make conclusions based on graphs of scatter plots of the Olympic records for men and women in the same event over the same years. Plot x- and y-values, and create linear equations from the data.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subjects: Health & Fitness, Math
Topics: Sports. Data Analysis/Probability. Patterns and Algebraic Thinking. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: NOVA
Examine how fuel use affects the mass of different planes during flight. Determine the per person fuel cost of a transatlantic flight for seven airplanes, and display the results on a bar graph.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra. Motion & Forces. Transportation.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Examine number patterns in charts, and use these patterns to generate a graph of the variables and possible outcomes of a foot race. Analyze the problem to arrive at algebraic representations, and make conclusions about problem-solving techniques.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: NOVA
Understand the basic principles of visual perspective and use visual perspective to estimate and calculate distance.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Transportation.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: NOVA
Discuss the nature of time and the grandfather paradox. Examine time from different perspectives by plotting ages on a timeline, estimating how long a minute is and imagining going back in time to change something in the future.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subjects: Math, Reading & Language Arts
Topics: Measurement. Functions and Algebra. Critical Thinking Skills. Organizing Information & Ideas.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Create graphs from a spreadsheet, discover linear relationships and explain the real-world meaning of slope. Design an experiment in which the relationship between circumference and flight times of deflating balloons can be predicted.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subjects: Math
Topics: Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: NOVA
Understand what a sine wave is and how sine waves are combined. Explore constructive and destructive interference of sine waves and plot a complex wave.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Energy. Geology & Natural Disasters.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: NOVA
Calculate the approximate speed of three tsunamis. Create a time travel map and chart that shows their arrival at specific geographic locations.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Science & Tech
Topics: Functions and Algebra. Geology & Natural Disasters. Oceanography.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: NOVA
Investigate factors affecting population growth rate by calculating how long it takes a country's population to double in size.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math, Social Studies
Topics: Data Analysis/Probability. Functions and Algebra. Anthropology/Cultures. Archeology.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Solve problems involving the plotting of two lines that intersect on a coordinate system. Follow the kids on the video as they use information from a "secret government Web site" to search for the location of aliens living under the city.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math
Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Identify, describe and extend geometric and numeric patterns into growing and shrinking patterns, then represent and record patterns using tools such as tables and graphs. Follow the kids on the video as they use patterns to open a door in the cave.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math
Topics: Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Use number sense to identify and extend a pattern, and explore the pattern known as triangular numbers. Follow the kids on the video as they attempt to repeat a pattern of numbers and sequenced flashing lights.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math
Topics: Functions and Algebra.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Source: Mathline
Interpret multiple representations to name equivalent fractions, and represent fractions and mixed numbers using physical models. Follow the kids on the video as they use their knowledge of models and fractions to solve the mystery of the aliens.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: Math
Topics: Applied Mathematics. Functions and Algebra. Numbers and Operations.
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
