Browse lesson plans

Sorting seeds

This lesson will engage students in manipulating, sorting, counting, and graphing seeds. The students will be involved in the creation of a graph using the computer.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Mathematics)

By Mary Jackson.

Space Shuttle O-ring failure

Students will use a TI82 or TI83 calculator to construct a scatterplot, find the equation of the least-squares regression line for a set of data, find the coefficient of determination, and make predictions by using the line.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

By Brenda Goforth.

Statistics project

Students collect numeric and non-numeric data. They are then expected to use the data collected to construct different types of graphs as well as finding central tendencies.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–8 Mathematics)

By Audrea Saunders.

Taking a stride in graphing

This lesson provides hands-on activities for students to use real-life experiences and apply them to graphing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–4 Mathematics)

By Sandy Brooks.

U.S. Census: Using the past to predict the future

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 6.10

In this lesson, students research census data about a career that interests them to find out how the numbers of people in that profession have changed over time in North Carolina.

Format: lesson plan

By Andrea Stewart, Keisha Gabriel, and Patty Grant.

Where were you born: A graphing lesson

Students will gather data and graph the results. Lake Norman Elementary's student population has a wide range of native states. Many of the students were born in states other than North Carolina. This activity allows the students to survey each class to see what states are represented in our school. After the survey results have been tallied, students will use the data to create different types of graphs. The class will then compare the graphs and will decide which type of graph represents the information most clearly.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

By Erin Bradfeldt, Joan Milliken, and Kathy Beck.

Resources on the web

Aluminum cans

In this lesson, one of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Mathematics and Environmental Concerns,” students gather and graph information about their use of aluminum cans, and then interpret the data, including finding and displaying... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Amazing attributes: Looking back and moving forward

In this lesson, teachers ensure that students have grasped the major concepts on sorting and organizing. Students should be able to: collect data using objects, pictures, and symbols; organize data by sorting and classifying in different ways; display data... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Another look at fractions of a set

This lesson gives students an opportunity to explore fractions using the set model and is integrated with other areas of the math curriculum including data analysis and statistics. Using data collected about colored candies, students learn to create and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Baby weight

This Illuminations lesson is the first of four related lessons grouped under the title “Application - Using Math in Everyday Life.” In this lesson, students work with data to complete an organized chart for the purpose of transferring information... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Bar graph investigations

In this lesson, one of a seven-part unit from Illuminations titled “How Many More Fish?,” students apply what they know about comparison subtraction by constructing bar graphs and using them to answer questions. They conduct a survey to gather... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Bell curve

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students will construct two bell curves using two different yet related objects. For example, two kinds of Hershey's Kisses (plain and almond) or two kinds of dried beans (kidney and lima). By completing the activities in... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Science Netlinks

Bias sampling

In this lesson, students learn to demonstrate how the results of a poll or other scientific study can be biased by selecting special types of people to respond or by asking only certain questions. Prior to this lesson, students should have had the opportunity... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Information Skills)

Provided by: Science Netlinks

The bread basket

In this lesson, students conduct a survey and create bar graphs. After the teacher divides students into groups, the class participates in a series of math lessons that focus on a food court. Students learn how to make bar graphs using the data they collect.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Categorical data

In the first lesson of this unit, students formulate and refine questions that can be addressed with categorical data. They consider aspects of data collection such as how to word questions and how to record the data they collect. Finally they represent... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

The Celebrated Jumping Frog

In this lesson, one of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Games, Measurement, and Statistics,” students participate in games and activities that develop concepts of measurement and statistics. Using the story “The Celebrated Jumping... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Choosing the best option

During this lesson, student groups use data collected in the previous lesson to select a plan for a trip to Disneyland or Disney World. Using skills they developed in the previous lessons, students determine not only elapsed time and distance, but extend... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Class attributes

During this lesson, students create their own classroom survey or use previously generated questions to study the class and describe the set [class] in fractional parts. This lesson requires that students identify fractions in real-world contexts from a... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Classroom paper

In this lesson, one of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Mathematics and Environmental Concerns,” students participate in activities in which they investigate the data in connection with recyclable materials and develop plans to help... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

The clucking chicken

Students learn about data analysis and probability in this lesson, using a box plot to identify the mean, mode, median and range of the data set. As an introductory activity, students work in small groups to find the mode and range of the number of letters... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations