Browse lesson plans

Sea inventory

In this lesson students will create a beach mural with sand, shells, and blue and white finger paints. They will count objects added to the mural as they go along.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Visual Arts Education and Mathematics)

By Dinah Jackson.

Shopping spree

Students will practice counting money up to five dollars using grocery ads from local stores.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Mathematics)

By Lauren Gary.

Smart money

Students will practice making money trades to equal $.25 kinesthetically and with manipulatives.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Mathematics)

By Sherry Griffith.

Subtraction sticks

Using craft sticks, students will practice subtraction of 2 and 3 digit numbers with renaming.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Mathematics)

By Susan Fry.

Whole language reading: Pumpkin pie baking activity

A whole language literature-based reading lesson that culminates in a cooking extension activity.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts and Mathematics)

By Amy Durso.

Resources on the web

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

Another look at the set model using attribute pieces

Students use fractions to describe a set of attribute pieces and develop skill in problem solving and reasoning as they think about their set and how to create new sets given specific fractional characteristics. Using the attribute pieces, students generate... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Begin with buttons: Looking back and moving forward

This Illuminations lesson is the last of an eight-part unit titled “Begin With Buttons.” In this lesson, students review the work of the previous lessons through a variety of activity stations, one of which involves using an interactive website.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Beverage sharing and serving

Students determine, using a nonstandard cup or plastic drinking container, the minimum amount of fruit drink needed to serve class members. Illuminations provides an activity sheet and detailed instructions for completing the lesson. Students will:... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

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

Building numbers to five

This Illuminations lesson is the first of an eight-part unit titled “Count to 10.” In this lesson, students make groups of zero to 5 objects, connect number names to the groups, compose and decompose numbers, and use numerals to record the size... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building numbers up to 10

In this lesson, one of a seven-part unit from Illuminations titled “Let's Count to 20,” students construct sets of numbers up to 10, write numerals up to 10, and count up to 10 rationally. They use ten frames and also make bean sticks. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of 11 and 12

In this lesson, one of a seven-part unit from Illuminations titled “Let's Count to 20,” students explore sets of 11 and 12. They use bean sticks, connecting cubes, and ten frames to construct sets of 11 and 12, and then record and compare them. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of 13 and 14

In this lesson, one of a seven-part unit from Illuminations titled “Let's Count to 20,” students explore sets of 13 and 14. They construct and identify sets of 13 and size 14. They then compare sets to sets of size 13 and size 14, record the... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of 15 and 16

In this lesson, one of a seven-part unit from Illuminations titled “Let's Count to 20,” students explore the numbers 15 and 16. They make and decompose sets of 15 and 16, write the numerals 15 and 16, and compare other sets to sets of 15 and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of 17 and 18

In this lesson, one of a seven-part unit from Illuminations titled “Let's Count to 20,” students explore sets of up to 18. They construct sets up to 18, write the numerals 17 and 18, and model 17 and 18 with bean sticks, cubes, and ten frames. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of 19 and 20

In this lesson, one of a seven-part unit from Illuminations titled “Let's Count to 20,” students explore sets of 19 and 20. They count up to 20, construct and decompose sets up to 20, and record the decompositions. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of eight

This Illuminations lesson is the fifth of an eight-part unit titled “Count to 10.” In this lesson, students explore the number 8. They make and decompose sets of eight, write the numeral 8, and compare sets of up to eight objects. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of nine

This Illuminations lesson is the sixth of an eight-part unit titled “Count to 10.” In this lesson, students construct sets of up to nine items, write the numeral 9, and record nine on a chart. They also play a game that requires identifying... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of seven

This Illuminations lesson is the fourth of an eight-part unit titled “Count to 10.” In this lesson, students construct and identify sets of seven objects. They compare sets of up to seven items, and record a set of seven in chart form. Reasoning... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations