Browse lesson plans

Talking geometry through quilts

This lesson plan is designed to use quilts as a visual prompt to review mathematics vocabulary associated with geometry in the third grade curriculum. A hands-on activity serves as a practice and review at the conclusion of this lesson.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Mathematics)

By Rendy King.

Resources on the web

A brownie bake

Students determine the amount of each ingredient needed to make brownies, and then they figure out how to divide the brownies evenly among their classmates. In addition to reinforcing measurement skills, this activity could also be used to introduce prime... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Describing designs

In this lesson, students create designs and describe them to classmates using fractional and geometric terms. The lesson provides a context for using the vocabulary terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “square,” “rectangle,”... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Expanding our pattern block fraction repertoire

In this lesson, the students expand the number of fractions they can represent with pattern blocks by increasing the whole. Illuminations provides an activity sheet, links to related web resources, and instructions for completing the lesson. In small groups,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Exploring the value of the whole

This lesson focuses on the relationship between parts and the whole. These relationships were developed earlier and require the students to consider the size or value of the same fraction when different “wholes” are compared. This lesson promotes... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Investigating fractions with pattern blocks

This lesson promotes problem solving and reasoning with fractions as students investigate the relationships between various parts and wholes. It also focuses on representation because students are given multiple opportunities to investigate the relative... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Parts of a square

Students investigate the ways shapes can be divided into equal pieces with one or two cuts. It provides a review of the following vocabulary terms: square, triangle, and rectangle; congruent, one-half, and one-fourth. The other lessons in this unit build... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Pattern block fractions

In this that lesson builds on the previous two lessons, students focus on the identification of fractional parts of a region and record them in standard form. Students continue to develop communication skills by working together to express their understanding... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Planning and making a mini-quilt

In this lesson, students create a quilt using three transformations (reflection, rotation, and translation) and then investigate the ways shapes can be colored to show “one-half” and “one-fourth.” They also locate lines of symmetry... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Project Interactivate

Online tools and interactive applets to make math make sense to secondary students. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Shodor Foundation

Virtual pattern blocks

Students use virtual pattern blocks to problem solve and reason with fractions. They investigate relationships between parts and wholes using another representation of a region model, virtual fractions. Illuminations provides the activity sheet and links... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations