3-5, 6-8
Studying the behavior and motion of dinosaurs is obviously a
challenge since these creatures are extinct. If researchers wish to examine the
running velocity of a dinosaur, they must instead consider other evidence of
dinosaur motion and make an indirect estimate. In this lesson, students will
play the role of researchers who field test the Alexander Formula—a formula that uses paleontology data to estimate dinosaur running
velocities. Students will serve as human analogues, making measurements on
themselves, computing predicted running velocities using the Alexander Formula,
and calculating their actual running velocities. They will then evaluate the
accuracy of the formula by comparing estimated and actual running velocities
for the class.
6-8
The lesson is based upon Aesop’s fable,
“The Crow and the Pitcher,” and involves students making predictions and conducting
experiments to determine how many pebbles the crow would need to add to the
pitcher in order to bring the water to drinking height. In the course of the
investigation, students gain a real-world understanding of linear functions and
such concepts as slope,
y-intercept,
domain, and range.
6-8
In this lesson, students will play card
and computer games by adding fractions to make 1. Students will determine how
the fractions are related, by first determining what they have and then how
much more is needed. Through different interactive games, students will utilize their skills and build upon them to expand their
understanding of fractions. Students will be able to determine common
denominators and other strategies to add fractions with like and unlike
denominators.
Pre-K-2, 3-5
This kinesthetic lesson involves using models to practice
regrouping and to reinforce place value understanding. Students work together
to play games involving bases 10 and 5. Students will also interpret models as
numbers.
Pre-K-2
In this lesson, students work at stations where they
practice counting large numbers by grouping herds of cows into tens and
leftover ones, developing a deeper understanding of place value. The activities
involve the use of manipulatives, ten-frames, and the Illuminations online activity
Grouping and Grazing. Pre-K-2, 3-5
In this lesson, students learn to compose and decompose
numbers into the hundreds place as they move from standard form to expanded form and back again.
Students explore composing and decomposing numbers using base ten blocks and
place value cards.
3-5, 6-8
In this lesson, students use their previous knowledge of
multiplication to identify factors and form products. Students will use Illuminations’
Times Table to identify various patterns in a multiplication table. They will then
play the Multiple Factors Game and Times Square to reinforce their
understanding of factors and multiples.
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®.
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.
3-5
“Where’s
the math?” This is a question that can be answered by students as they examine
pictures from a virtual math trail. Expanding a student’s awareness of the
world is emphasized throughout this activity. As students share thoughts and
verbally express ideas, they are able to grow and communicate with other mathematically.
