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Algebra

Real Estate Tycoon

6-8
In this year-long project, students design, "build," and "sell" a house; after which they simulate investment of the profits in the stock market. Along the way, students make scale drawings, compute with fractions and decimals in various contexts, and even solve simple equations. This lesson plan was adapted from an article by David B. Smith, which appeared in the September 2000 edition of Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School.
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Number and Operations

Understanding Rational Numbers and Proportions

6-8

In this lesson, students use real-world models to develop an understanding of fractions, decimals, unit rates, proportions, and problem solving.

The three activities in this investigation center on situations involving rational numbers and proportions that students encounter at a bakery. These activities involve several important concepts of rational numbers and proportions, including partitioning a unit into equal parts, the quotient interpretation of fractions, the area model of fractions, determining fractional parts of a unit not cut into equal-sized pieces, equivalence, unit prices, and multiplication of fractions.

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Number and Operations

Multiplying Integers Using Videotape

6-8
In this lesson, students experience beginning-algebra concepts through discussion, exploration, and videotaping. The concept of multiplication of integers is presented in a format which encourages understanding, not simply rote memorization of facts. This lesson plan is adapted from the article, "A Videotaping Project to Explore the Multiplication of Integers", by Marcia B. Cooke, which appeared in Arithmetic Teacher, Vol. 41, No. 3 (November 1993) pp. 170-171.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Exploring Linear Data

6-8, 9-12
Students model linear data in a variety of settings that range from car repair costs to sports to medicine. Students work to construct scatterplots, interpret data points and trends, and investigate the notion of line of best fit.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Birthday Paradox

6-8, 9-12
This activity demonstrates the Birthday Paradox, using it as a springboard into a unit on probability. Students use a graphing calculator to run a Monte Carlo simulation with the birthday paradox and perform a graphical analysis of the birthday-problem function. This lesson was adapted from an article, written by Matthew Whitney, which appeared in the April 2001 edition of Mathematics Teacher.
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Algebra

What’s Next?

3-5
Students begin their study of growing patterns by making linear patterns with pattern block shapes using several pattern cores. They extend a partner’s pattern and find the missing element in a pattern.
Algebra

Looking Back and Moving Forward

3-5
In this final lesson of the Unit, students use logical thinking to create, identify, extend, and translate patterns. They make patterns with numbers and shapes and explore patterns in a variety of mathematical contexts.
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Algebra

Exploring Other Number Patterns

3-5
Students analyze numeric patterns, including Fibonacci numbers. They also describe numeric patterns and then record them in table form.
Data Analysis and Probability

Looking Back and Moving Forward

3-5
During this lesson, student use mathematical knowledge and skills developed in the previous lessons to demonstrate understanding and ability to apply that knowledge in a real-life context. As students tackle more complex tasks, teachers have opportunity to observe student’s competence with methods and tools for computation, estimation, problem posing and solving, collection of data, organization and interpretation of graphical representations, measuring with standard units, and responding to investigations that require the comparison of data sets.
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Data Analysis and Probability

Stick or Switch?

6-8, 9-12
This lesson plan presents a classic game-show scenario. A student picks one of three doors in the hopes of winning the prize. The host, who knows the door behind which the prize is hidden, opens one of the two remaining doors. When no prize is revealed, the host asks if the student wishes to "stick or switch." Which choice gives you the best chance to win? The approach in this activity runs from guesses to experiments to computer simulations to theoretical models. This lesson was adapted from an article written by J. Michael Shaughnessy and Thomas Dick, which appeared in the April 1991 issue of the Mathematics Teacher.