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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

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http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L210

A lesson plan for Grades 3–5 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3–5
Subjects
mathematics (algebra, geometry)
Provider
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

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Students participate in an activity in which they investigate the data in connection with recyclable materials and develop plans to help the environment. Specifically, students explore recycling plastic containers. After engaging students in discussion about the numbers associated with recycling an item, the teacher challenges students to evaluate several plastic packages to determine whether the product can be recycled. The lesson provides an activity sheet to guide students through the project.

Students will:

  • Gather data about plastic container recycling.
  • Graph the data and interpret graphs.
  • Develop a recycling plan.

NCTM Standards and Expectations covered by the lesson:

  • Students will describe, extend, and make generalizations about geometric and numeric patterns.
  • Students will represent and analyze patterns and functions, using words, tables, and graphs.
  • Students will collect data using observations, surveys, and experiments.
  • Students will design investigations to address a question and consider how data-collection methods affect the nature of the data set.
  • Students will represent data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use data and simple probability concepts.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including circle graphs and tables) to solve problems.

Grade 4

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs, probability, and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including line graphs and bar graphs) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.03: Solve problems by comparing two sets of related data.
    • Objective 4.04: Design experiments and list all possible outcomes and probabilities for an event.

Grade 5

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including stem-and-leaf plots) to solve problems.
  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of patterns, relationships, and elementary algebraic representation.
    • Objective 5.01: Describe, extend, and generalize numeric and geometric patterns using tables, graphs, words, and symbols.