MATRIX LOGO

[Accesskey] ^(Alt+A) navigation is supported on this page and the key assignments are provided within a set of parentheses next to each link. To use these Accesskey shortcuts, press the ALT key for PC or the CTRL key for MAC and the assigned alpha or numeric character simultaneously on the keyboard, then press the "Enter" key.

Lesson Plan Sites of the Day

3-D Drawing and Geometry - Cathi Sanders
A Math Forum Summer 1998 Institute project that uses examples of paintings, architecture, etc. to analyze different types of 3-D drawings, and teaches students how to create them. Careers in 3-D drawing that use these techniques, from architecture to movies, are also illustrated. Types include isometric, oblique, and perspective drawings. A drawing project for students is outlined and submissions are invited.
Adventures in Statistics - Scavo, Petraroja
A Web unit preprint of a paper by teachers Tom Scavo and Byron Petraroja that describes a mathematics project involving fifth grade students and the area of classrooms, including measurement, graphing, computation, data analysis, and presentation of results; to appear in "Teaching Children Mathematics."
Algebraic Factoring - Suzanne Alejandre
A Math Forum Web Unit. Vocabulary, objectives, materials. Students use algebra tiles to explore algebraic factoring.
How's your data today? - LITES Unit - Jon Basden
This data collection unit allows students to analyze information about the characteristics and preferences of the students in their classes and use data gathered from classes in online partner schools to conduct similar analyses and draw conclusions related to the geographic locations of those schools.
The Hot Tub: Interpreting Graphs - Cynthia Lanius
Questions to answer about a graph... Notice the connection between the slope of the lines and the rate of change of the water depth. On what segments is the slope positive, and the water depth increasing? negative, and the water depth decreasing? On what segments is the slope 0, and the water depth is constant?
Tell Time with your Feet - Susan Addington; Mathematics Dept., Calstate-San Bernardino
"A feet-on math lesson for K-8 students." Find the latitude and longitude of your location and times of sunset and sunrise using a table from the Web; using a shadow table (also on the Web) measure your shadow by pacing it off with your feet and find the time of day. Other classroom extension activities are suggested.
Three for the Money: The Degree/Diameter Problem (MegaMath) - Nancy Casey; Los Alamos National Laboratory
Students can understand and work on an unsolved problem in mathematics. There is a good chance that this problem can be solved by someone who spends enough time experimenting with it. The only skills required to work on it are the ability to draw dots and connect them with lines, and the understanding of four ideas related to graphs: degree, diameter, planarity, and size. With ideas for discussion.
Studying Polyhedra - Suzanne Alejandre
What is a polyhedron? A definition and a Java applet to help in exploring the five regular polyhedra to find how many faces and vertices each has, and what polygons make up the faces. Also links to a page of information about buckyballs, stories written by students after studying polyhedra, other sites with information about regular polyhedra, and other sites with information about Greece and Greek mathematicians.
Soma Cube Central - Jon Basden, Highland Middle School
Students review the concepts of solid geometry, then try to determine all of the ways that they can join no more than four cubes at their faces in an irregular manner. The seven ways that one can join four or fewer cubes in an irregular manner make up the pieces of the Soma Cube. After the students discover the seven ways, they actually create Soma Cubes in class, exploring geometric figures including cubes using the seven pieces, recording their solutions, and trying to create their own puzzles.
Stemplots - Rex Boggs, Education Queensland
The purpose of displaying data graphically is to give a visual display of the interesting and important features of the dataset. Which particular displays are best is not a question that can necessarily be answered before the data is viewed, hence a statistican will view the data in different ways.All you need to know about this useful graphical display. Activities, worksheets and extension material are available from this page.
Ratios, Mars, and the Internet - Michael Cragin
A simple project that integrates mathematics and technology. Students calculate real ratios that exist between the planets Earth and Mars, using the Internet or a simulated Internet environment to check their work.
Mathematicians and Scientists Treasure Hunt - Eldred Marshall
Students match a fact with a mathematician or scientist, using the Internet.
California Here We Come! - Jeanine Hill
A trip across the USA. Each team will choose any state capital on the east coast as their starting point. They will travel west stopping at each state capital along the way and record miles traveled. Each student group will create a chart or table showing.
Toothpick Algebra - Haley
The students will be using toothpicks to find patterns. These patterns will help the students develop equations that correspond to algebra.
Finding the circumference given the radius - Mitch
Develop an understanding of pi and the relationship between the diameter/radius and the circumference.
All Those Advertising Dollars! - Kent Anderson
After getting information from advertising statistics available on the Internet, students calculate percent increases (or decreases) for the top 25 companies in terms of advertising dollars spent during a year.
3-D Stars - Free Instructions - James E. Garner
Free instructions for making 3-D paper stars, using basket weave technique
6 Point Star Paper Relief - James E. Garner
Below is a diagram of the five steps to make the star. Begin with a square sheet of paper and in the first step, fold it on the diagonal. Continue through the other steps. (The folds in steps 3 and 4 below can be done together before pressing hard. This helps to make the folds more even.)
Good News Bears (GNB) Stock Market Project - RSE
An interdisciplinary Web-based Interactive Stock Market Learning Project specifically designed for middle school students and teachers. This project revolves around an interactive stock market competition between classmates using real-time stock market data from the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Lessons from a variety of subject areas have been added for teacher convenience. These lessons and warm-up discussion topics are designed to give the student a better understanding of how the stock market is an integral part of their everyday life and future security.
Looking for Patterns - Rex Boggs, Education Queensland
The most valuable feature of a dataset may be that which is unexpected. Looking at the data in a variety of ways may reveal interesting and surprising patterns.
Sampling - Rex Boggs, Education Queensland
Contains a nice little activity - the JellyBlubbers - which was modified from a problem in a leading textbook which was modified from an activity in Activity Based Statistics. And the original activity started as a bucket of rocks on the desk of a statistics teacher. An activity with impeccable lineage.
Algebra - Fun with Calendars - Cynthia Lanius
Take any calendar. Tell a friend to choose 4 days that form a square. If your friend tells you only the sum of the four days, you can tell her what the four days are. How does the puzzle work? Includes a extension page for designing your own puzzle, teachers notes, and links to calendar pages on the Web. Mathematics topics: assigning variables, solving simple linear equations, factoring.
Stressed Out: Slope as Rate of Change - Cynthia Lanius
It's the night of the big game. You're in the locker room. The coach is pumping the team up. "Now, I know you people are nervous. That's okay, in fact, that's what we want. You're going to perform better on the court (stage) if you\'re a little nervous." Does the graph shown confirm what the coach told you? Write a statement that describes performance as stress increases... This lesson introduces basic knowledge and skills important to a study of functions in algebra and lays the groundwork for calculus.
Untangling the Mathematics of Knots (MegaMath) - Nancy Casey; Los Alamos National Laboratory
Fundamentals of knot theory for a wide range of levels - a variety of activities for exploring knots made from pieces of rope. Students can make and verify observations about knots, classify them, combine them, and find ways to determine if two knots are alike. The activities outlined here can be combined to form a single lesson about mathematical knots, or a larger investigative unit that extends over a longer period of time. Key concepts include knot theory, topology, operations, and proof.
Tour of Symmetry Groups - Lori Thomson; The Geometry Center
A Web unit that covers Types of Symmetry (Translation, Reflection, Glide Reflection, Halfturn, Combinations); Symmetry in Frieze Groups (Patterns, Groups, Lengthwise and Crosswise Symmetry); Using Kali to Explore Frieze Groups (with beginning and advanced exercises and pattern galleries); and Symmetry in Wallpaper Groups.
Calculators On-line
...over 5000 types of online calculators to use!
Cast Your Vote! What's Your Opinion On Polling? - Annenberg/CPB Projects
An exhibit that explores well-known statistical concepts - random sampling, margin of error, and confidence - through activities where YOU play the pollster. Also included is a wealth of links to Web sites related to statistics.
Rectangle Pattern Challenges - Cynthia Lanius
Examine different stges of rectangle patterns, and describe what you must do to get from one to the next. Observe the designs looking for patterns. Use the symmetry of the design to help you count. Organize your information into a table. On square grid paper create your own design, showing at least 3 stages. It must have at least two lines of symmetry, and it must follow a regular numerical growth pattern. On a separate sheet of paper, fill in the calculations in a table like the one shown. Teachers notes are included.
Traffic Jam Activity - Suzanne Alejandre
A classroom activity (also called Hop, Skip, Jump) aligned to the NCTM Standards, to be explored through large movement experience, manipulatives, and an interactive Java applet. Students then revisit the activity, look for patterns, and write the answer algebraically. The activity: there are seven stepping stones and six people. On the three lefthand stones, facing the center, stand three of the people. The other three people stand on the three righthand stones, also facing the center. The center stone is not occupied. Everyone must move so that the people originally standing on the righthand stepping stones are on the lefthand stones, and those originally standing on the lefthand stepping stones are on the righthand stones, with the center stone again unoccupied. A teacher lesson plan is provided
Weather Here and There - Foster, Walton, Foertsch
An integrated weather unit that incorporates interaction with the Internet and hands-on collaborative problem-solving activities for students in grades four through six. Lessons integrate math, science, geography, and language arts in the process of teaching and learning about weather phenomena. Students become involved in collaborative problem solving using e-mail as well as through joining projects offered via the Internet. The first three lessons focus on learning basic meteorological concepts about weather elements, how to take measurements using appropriate weather instruments, and recognizing basic weather trends and patterns. The last three lessons focus on studying weather maps and applying the knowledge and experience about weather to associate weather trends and patterns in the process of making accurate forecasts. The unit culminates with a weather broadcast of a twenty-four hour forecast presented by students and focusing on a network of weather stations in the United States created by the students. Includes links to Illinois Standards and a Bibliography.
WebJourney - Jon Basden, Highland Middle School
Using the Internet to plan the amount of time, money and effort involved in going on a trip around the U.S. A lesson plan and sample journey are included, as well as detailed instructions for students.