6-8, 9-12
This lesson allows students to explore linear equations and the effects of changing the slope and
y-intercept on a line. It gives students exposure to
y =
mx +
b,
and can be used as an introduction to the topic. Using graphing
calculators, students are challenged to overlap lines onto the sides of
polygons. To achieve this goal, students change slopes and
y-intercepts of lines, noting observations about behavior as they work. As students change the
y-intercept
of a line, they see it raise or lower the line. As students change the
slope, they see it affect the steepness of the line.
6-8
This problem-solving lesson challenges students to generate election
results using number sense and other mathematical skills. Students are
also given the opportunity to explore the mathematical questions in a
politically challenging context. Calculations can be made using online
or desktop tools or using the data gathered on the Lesson 1 activity
sheet, Why California? Additional resources are introduced to extend
the primary activity.
6-8, 9-12
We often hear that there are measurements in the body that can be used to predict a person’s height. By graphing different body measurements versus height and comparing their correlation coefficient, students decide which body measurement is the best predictor.
6-8, 9-12
In this lesson, students compare different costs associated with two
cell phone plans. They write equations with 2 variables and graph to
find the solution of the system of equations. They then analyze the
meaning of the graph and discuss other factors involved in choosing a
cell phone plan.
9-12
In this lesson, students use uncooked spaghetti to transfer lengths from the unit circle to a function graph on large butcher paper. In the process, they discover the key features of sine and cosine graphs. The activity is presented for students working in degrees, but another version of the handouts is provided for students working in radians.
9-12
Students explore and discover conic sections by cutting a cone with a plane. Circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas are examined using the Conic Section Explorer tool. Physical manipulatives such as dough can optionally be used as well.
6-8, 9-12
In this lesson, students use polydrons to create nets of rectangular prisms. They discover that there are many configurations for rectangular prisms with the same volume, and determine that certain configurations minimize surface area. The lesson continues in a discovery activity related to building the most cost-efficient and appealing fish tank.
9-12
In this lesson, students explore polynomials by solving puzzlers. To solve the puzzlers, students factor polynomials and multiply monomials and binomials. The lesson includes ideas on how this format can be applied to other mathematical concepts.
9-12
This lesson helps students clarify the relationship between the shape of a graph and the movement of an object. Students explore their own movement and plot it onto a displacement vs. time graph. From this original graph, students create a velocity vs. time graph, and from there create an acceleration vs. time graph. The movement present and how to interpret each type of graph is emphasized through the lesson, which serve as an excellent introduction to building blocks of calculus.
9-12
In this lesson, students are introduced to basic graph theory and Euler circuits. They stitch paths and circuits to create their own graphs. Students also problem solve as they design a route that creates the same pattern on the front and back of a canvas.
