Mathematics — Grade 4

Nutritional value unit integrated with Microsoft Works

This unit is an example of how to integrate technology into the curriculum to alleviate teaching it in isolation. Students will use Microsoft Works to compare and analyze nutritional values from nonperishable food items.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Computer/Technology Skills and Mathematics)

By Gretchen Parrish.

Resources on the web

What's the beat?

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use the average adult's number of heartbeats per minute to predict how many times the heart would beat during various lengths of time. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

What is the best chip?

In this lesson, from Illuminations, students use data analysis to seek answers to the types of questions often posed by consumer agencies and people who work in sales and marketing. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

What counties are your favorite?

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use their knowledge to gather data on ten of their favorite counties (places they might like to live, visit, etc.) within a specific state. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

What can data tell us?

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students analyze collections of both their own data and that of others. They create data distributions in order to determine the highest, lowest, and middle values, as well as pile ups and gaps, for a particular set of data. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Weather watchers

In this lesson, from Illuminations, students collect and analyze data about the weather and learn to make a stem-and-leaf plot. They spend a month collecting data on high and low temperatures and then work in groups to determine how best to display their data. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Sticks and stones

In this Illuminations lesson, students play “Sticks and Stones,” a game based on the Apache game “Throw Sticks,” which was played at multi-nation celebrations. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

State population projections

In Illuminations lesson plan, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations about population projection, students examine the United States Census Bureau Web site to investigate projections of the total population of states from 1995 to 2025. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

State names

In this Illuminations lesson, students use multiple representations to analyze the frequency of letters that occur in the names of all 50 states. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Spreadsheets can be fun

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students organize data collected about county populations into a spreadsheet and create a chart to help them better understand the data. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Skin Weight

Students work with data to complete an organized chart for the purpose of transferring information to a graph or for the purpose of generalizing a rule. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Shorts and shirts

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students are encouraged to discover all the combinations that can be made from a given number of factors. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Rescue mission game

In this lesson, from Illuminations, students play a game to learn about the four forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust, and gravity. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Presenting the plan for a class trip

In this lesson, student groups present plans they developed in the previous lesson on creating a school trip. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Plastic packaging

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students investigate data in connection with recyclable materials and develop plans to help the environment. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Planning a trip: Looking back and moving forward

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use mathematical knowledge and skills developed in the previous lessons while planning a series of class trips. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Planning a trip to the state capitol

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, student groups plan a trip to the state capitol. Using the skills they developed in the previous lessons, students determine not only elapsed time and distance, but extend their problem-solving skills. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Planning a trip to Disneyland or Disney World

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, student groups collect data to plan a trip to Disneyland or Disney World, or to some other high-interest destination. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Planning a class trip to a local attraction

This lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, encourages students to work in groups and apply their knowledge about a trip in a new context. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Planning a class field trip

This lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, focuses students' attention on the variables used in planning trips. It captures students' interest, provides a review of the primary unit objectives, and assesses students' prior knowledge. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics