Pin it!
Google Plus

Search Results

3704icon
Geometry

Flip-n-Slide: Exploring Transformations through Modeling and Computer Games

6-8, 9-12
In this lesson, students will explore reflections, translations and rotations. Students participate in a modeling activity where they will learn the rules for translations and reflections. Then students will practice using these transformations, as well as explore the rules for rotations, in the game Flip-n-Slide on Calculation Nation®.
3713icon
Data Analysis and Probability

Prime Time Probability: Using Computer Games to Facilitate Finding Probability of Independent Events

6-8
This lesson integrates finding probability and strategic play in the Calculation Nation® game, Prime Time. Students will work in groups to determine the best movement option, rolling a die, spinning a spinner or flipping a coin, for their first move of the game. Students will calculate the probability of events and use that information as well as logic and reasoning to defend their choice for the best movement option for their first turn in Prime Time.
3737icon
Geometry

Fair and Square: Using Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract Activities to Maximize Area

3-5, 6-8
Students discover the relationships between area and perimeter as they prep for playing Square Off, a wonderful Calculation Nation® game. This lesson helps students understand the math of area and perimeter, which will help to maximize their scores when playing the game. Creating human-sized rectangles and working with geoboards provide concrete experiences before moving on to pictorial and abstract work with area and perimeter of rectangles.
DiRTDash ICON
Measurement

DiRT Dash: Planning the Fastest Route across Various Terrains

6-8
The shortest distance between two points is a line. But what is the shortest time to travel between two points on different terrains? In this lesson, students will predict, estimate and then calculate the path that results in the fastest time to travel between two points when different terrains affect the fastest path. This lesson is designed as an introduction to the Calculation Nation® game DiRT Dash and prepares students to apply mathematics to improve their performance in the game.


 
3780icon
Measurement

A Ratio that Glitters: Exploring the Golden Rectangle

6-8, 9-12
In this lesson, students will develop an understanding of the Fibonacci Sequence (and its connection to Golden Rectangles), Golden Ratio, Golden Rectangle, and the term ratio (as it applies to rectangles). Students will use tools and construction techniques to demonstrate geometry prowess and be able to observe the Golden Rectangle in nature and in the classroom. 
3797icon
Measurement

Steps and Slopes: Measuring the Rise and Run of Steps to Calculate Slope

6-8
This lesson explores the concept of slope through a student-centered problem of data collection and evaluation. Students guess which of several flights of stairs is steepest, and then use measures of slope to test their hypothesis.
3845icon
Measurement

Scaling the City: Ground Truthing the Size of SimCity Objects

6-8
Photographs, blueprints, models, and computer renderings may serve as virtual representations of real cities. But how accurately do they represent their real counterparts? In this lesson, students examine a computer representation of a city and compare the sizes of its features with the sizes of analogous features in a real city. 
3873icon
Algebra

Walking to Class: Modeling Students' Class Schedules with Time-Distance Graphs

6-8
Students use their class schedules to create time-distance graphs by counting the number of walking strides they take from their lockers and timing themselves as they walk through their class schedules. They will use their graphs to answer questions about slope, x- and y-intercepts, and the meaning of horizontal and vertical lines. 
3906icon
Geometry

Princess Dido and the Ox Skin: Investigating Maximizing Area Using a Literature-Based Model

6-8, 9-12
This lesson is based upon a story from Virgil's Aeneid. Students work in groups to investigate maximizing area with a fixed length of rope. They investigate which figure results in the greatest area by real-life experimentation as well algebraically. Students gain an understanding of quadratic functions, the isoperimetric principle, and parabolas. 
LPgeneric
Algebra

Extending to Symbols

6-8
In Parts I and II of this investigation, students learn about the notion of equivalence in concrete and numerical settings. As students begin to use symbolic representations they use variables as place holders or unknowns. This part of the i-Math investigation illustrates the continued transition from the concrete balance view of equivalence to a more abstract view.