Illuminations: Search

Search Results

Sort By:

Dealing With Data In the Elementary School

3-5

This project-based unit on statistics furnishes a vehicle for problem solving through real-world data collection and analysis. Students use the mean, mode and median to analyze their data and use graphs to represent their findings.

If the Shoe Fits...

3-5

Students use classification skills to compare and contrast versions of the Cinderella story. Students identify similarities and differences between two versions. In addition, they use attributes to classify and sort information.

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.

Printing Books

6-8

Students explore the relationships among lines, slopes, and y-intercepts in the context of printing their algebra textbooks. Students use a spreadsheet to facilitate their exploration. This activity is based on an idea from Navigating Through Algebra in Grades 6-8 (NCTM, 2001).

Patterns and Functions

6-8

Students investigate properties of perimeter, area, and volume related to various geometric two- and three-dimensions shapes. They conjecture, test, discuss, verbalize, and generalize patterns. Through this process they discover the salient features of the pattern, construct understandings of concepts and relationships, develop a language to talk about the pattern, integrate, and discriminate between the pattern and other patterns. When relationships between quantities in a pattern are studied, knowledge about important mathematical relationships and functions emerges.

Orbiting Satellites

6-8

In this lesson students explore the concept of orbits, focusing on altitude, velocity, and distance traveled. The lesson explores the connection of Earth-orbiting satellites to the study of the environment. Both geometric and algebraic concepts are presented to students in this application of science and mathematics to a real-world situation.

Blue Squares and Beyond

6-8

This Internet Mathematics Excursion is a pre-activity for E-example 6.3 from the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. This is the first in a sequence of four lessons designed for students to understand ratio, proportion, scale factor, and similarity. This lesson invites students to manipulate two rectangles to create examples of similarity and to study the effects on area ratios. Students sketch similar figures, verify proportionality, and apply these concepts to structures in their world.