Mathematics — Grade 8

Zoo integrated unit

The unit uses the North Carolina Zoological Park as a teaching tool rather than as a nice place to visit. It can be used by a single teacher or multiple teachers of different subjects, and it is aimed at 7th and 8th graders.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies)

By Craig Smith.

Measuring pots

In Intrigue of the Past, page 2.7

Students will use an activity sheet or modern pottery rim sherds to compute circumference from a section of a circle and construct analogies based on their own experience about possible functions of ancient or historic ceramics.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Language families

In Intrigue of the Past, page 4.7

Students will identify and locate the three language families of contact period North Carolina and calculate the physical area covered by each language family.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 and 8 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Fire in Pythagorville: Problem-centered lessons

Students will work on problem-centered lessons which use the application of the Pythagorean theorem to put out a fire in the fictional town of Pythagorville.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)

By Kelly Crisp.

Building a paper bridge: An introduction to problem solving

This activity allows the student to explore problem solving strategies while working with a partner. This activity (building a paper bridge), requires students to question word definition and the application of those definitions. Through problem solving strategies, students discover the need for applying math skills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)

By Steve Walston.

Resources on the web

What's Your Rate?

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students calculate unit rates and set up proportions. The students gather data to write and solve their own proportions. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Square circles

This Illuminations lesson allows students to use a variety of units when measuring the side length and perimeter of squares, as well as the diameter and circumference of circles. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Off the scale

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use real-world examples to solve problems involving scale as they examine maps of their home states and calculate distances between cities. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

In your shadow

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students extend their knowledge of proportions to solving problems dealing with similarity by measuring the heights and shadows of familiar objects and using indirect measurement to find the heights... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Finding satisfactory solutions

Students apply creative solutions to problem solving in the context of a story problem. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Finding our top speed

This Illuminations 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. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Do you measure up?

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students learn the basics of the metric system. They identify which unit is used to measure specific objects and make conversions. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Discovering the area formula for triangles

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students learn the area formula for a triangle. Students find the areas of rectangles and squares and compare them to the areas of triangles derived from the original shape. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Constant dimensions

In this Illuminations lesson, students measure the length and width of a rectangle using both standard and non-standard units of measure. In addition to providing measurement practice, this lesson allows students to discover that the ratio of length to width... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics