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

Classroom » Lesson Plans

Area of solids
Finding area of rectangular solids and cylinders by cutting them into flat pieces and adding the areas.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–12 Mathematics)
By Dorothy Carawan.
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.
Dear Tootsie Roll company
The students will measure the surface area and wrapper area of five pieces of candy. Using appropriate formulas and measuring techniques, they will complete information needed for a spreadsheet and database. Students wrap up the lesson by writing a letter to the company with the most wasted paper to explain how the waste affects them as consumers and a suggestion for correcting the problem.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 English Language Arts and Mathematics)
By Tonya Thompson.
Discovering perimeters
By using string, students will discover a formula for finding the perimeter of a rectangle.
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Mathematics)
By Jenny Crumpler.
Giving meaning to volume and surface area
This lesson is designed to help students give meaning to volume and surface area by solving problems using a meaningful situation rather than formulas.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
By Grayson Wheatley.
Interior designers: Working with area
In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 2.4
In this lesson for grade seven, students will act as interior designers, and will measure the walls of the classroom to determine the area of each wall.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Mathematics)
By Peggy Dickey and Barbara Turner.Adapted by Sharon Abell.
A mathematical model to describe fluid behavior
Middle school students will learn how to use math to model and predict natural phenomena. Through hands-on labs, students will explore the behavior and effects of fluid in and around objects and organisms. Students will investigate and create fluid transport systems and gather data to calculate natural frequencies. Using scale models to gain a better understanding, they will use data to predict real-life effects on trees and other structures.
Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)
Mirror, mirror on the ground!
In this lesson, students will use their knowledge of similar triangles and indirect measurement to measure the heights of various objects.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
By Denise Corbett.
Post-EOG activities: Student products
In this project, students will become entrepreneurs. They will have a business that makes items with 3-dimensional shapes. They will receive various tasks that will require that they make decisions as any other business owner would have to do.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Mathematics)
By Geneva Williams.
Solid graphing
The students will review solid figures using a baggie of assorted snack mix (cones, cubes, cylinders, and spheres) and will begin a vertical bar graph showing the number of each solid figure in a bag of assorted snack mix.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Mathematics)
By Lisa Fletcher.
Valentine geometry
Combine geometry construction skills with language arts and artistic ability.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)
By Tanis Schick.

Resources on the web

Finding perimeter and area
Students develop strategies for finding the perimeter and area for rectangles and triangles using geoboards and graph paper. They also learn how measurement is a critical component in planning a clubhouse design. Illuminations provides and activity sheet... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
Helping ladybug hide with arrows and angles
In this lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Going Places: Measuring and Mapping,” students use a Java applet to hide a ladybug under a leaf. This requires experimentation, planning, and understanding of spatial relationships... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)
Provided by: Illuminations
K-12 Statistics Page
Innovative, standards-based, technology-intensive mathematics and science instruction at the K-16 levels. (Learn more)
Format: website/lesson plan
Provided by: Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Measurement terms
This lesson introduces relationships between measurement and geometry. The activities build on students' prior knowledge as students work with partners and as a whole class to identify and classify terms to develop their understanding of measurement. After... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan
Provided by: Illuminations
Mixing In Math
This site offers 40 activities that can be used to teach and practice math skills during everyday routines. Activities are designed for use in after school programs, daily school routines, and at home for kids ages 5-13. (Learn more)
Format: website/lesson plan
Provided by: TERC
The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Mathematics
Interactive math problems for student grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Each subject strand has interactive lessons for an age group of learners. Lessons move from easiest to hardest. Well organized, user friendly and easy to navigate. (Learn more)
Format: website/lesson plan
Provided by: Utah State University
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
Teachers' Domain
Teachers’ Domain is an online library of more than 1,000 free media resources from the best in public television. (Learn more)
Format: website/lesson plan
Provided by: WGBH - Boston