6-8
In this lesson, students transition from arithmetic to algebraic thinking by exploring problems that are not limited to single-solution responses. Values organized into tables and graphs are used to move toward symbolic representations. Problem situations involving linear, quadratic, and exponential models are employed. This lesson is based upon the article "Building Bridges to Algebraic Thinking" by Roger Day, which appeared in the February 1997 edition of
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School.
6-8
In this lesson, students practice decision-making skills leading to a
better understanding of choice versus chance and building the
foundation of mathematical probability.
6-8
In this lesson, students use a 10 × 10 grid as a model for solving
various types of percent problems. This model offers a means of
representing the given information as well as suggesting different
approaches for finding a solution. This lesson is adapted from "A
Conceptual Model for Solving Percent Problems," which originally
appeared in
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, Vol. 1, No. 1 (April 1994), pp. 20-25.
6-8
Students discover and explore a special kind of tiling of the plane. Rep‑tiles are geometric figures such that
n copies can fit together to form a larger, similar figure. Students experiment with various shapes and values of
n.
Spatial sense is encouraged by the need to visualize and perform
transformations with the shapes involved. This lesson was adapted from
an article by Linda Fosnaugh and Marvin Harrell, which appeared in the
January‑February 1996 edition of
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School. 6-8
The Factor Game engages students in a friendly contest in which
winning strategies involve distinguishing between numbers with many
factors and numbers with few factors. Students are then guided through
an analysis of game strategies and introduced to the definitions of
prime and
composite numbers.
6-8
This lesson sets the stage for a discussion of travel in the solar system. By considering a real-world, hands-on activity, students develop their understanding of time and distance. Finally, students plot the data they have collected.
6-8
Students play a game in which they try to list 5 countries or states in order from most crowded to least crowded. Using area and population data from a Web site, they estimate quotients to make their list. They determine whose list is closest to the actual order by applying a mathematical model (scoring system), which they later evaluate.
6-8
The following grades 6-8 activities allow students to explore
statistics surrounding baseball. They are exposed to connections
between various mathematical concepts and see where this mathematics is
used in areas with which they are familiar. This lesson plan is adapted
from the May 1996 edition of
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School. 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.
6-8
This Internet Mathematics Excursion is based on E-example 6.3
from the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. This is
the second in a sequence of four lessons designed for students to
understand ratio, proportion, scale factor, and similarity using
perimeter and area of various rectangular shapes. Students manipulate
2-dimensional rectangles to focus on the relationship between the scale
factor and ratio of perimeters of similar rectangles, and the
relationship between scale factor and ratio of areas of similar
rectangles.
