Browse lesson plans

Resources on the web

Building sets of six

This Illuminations lesson is the third of an eight-part unit titled “Count to 10.” In this lesson, students construct sets of six, compare them with sets of a size up to six objects, and write the numeral 6. They also show a set of six on a... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Building sets of ten

This Illuminations lesson is the seventh of an eight-part unit titled “Count to 10.” In this lesson, students explore sets of up to 10 items and practice writing the numbers 0 through 10. Students count back from 10, identify sets of up to 10... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Button trains

This Illuminations lesson is the first of an eight-part unit titled “Begin with Buttons.” In this lesson, students describe order by using vocabulary such as before, after, and between. They also review and use both cardinal and ordinal numbers.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 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

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

Communicating about mathematics using games

Mathematical games can foster mathematical communication as students explain and justify their moves to one another. In addition, games can motivate students and engage them in thinking about and applying concepts and skills. This e-example from Illuminations... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Comparing sets

In this lesson, the second of a six-part unit from Illuminations, a children's book sets the stage for encouraging students to review counting back. Students write subtraction problems and model them with cubes. They then compare sets and record differences... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Comparison estimator

This activity allows the user to compare two quantities (which may be the number of objects in each of two sets, the lengths of two curves, or the area of two shapes) by estimating. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade K–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: Shodor

Competing coasters

Students look at attributes that vary from roller coaster to roller coaster. Illuminations provides an activity sheets and detailed instructions for completing the lesson. After students have discussed their roller coaster experiences, they compare and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Count to 10: Wrapping up the unit

Students review by creating, decomposing, and comparing sets of zero to 10 objects and by writing the cardinal number for each set. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Counting back

This lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “How Many More Fish?,” students count to compare plates of fish-shaped crackers then record the comparison in vertical and horizontal format. They apply their skills of reasoning... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Counting back and counting on

In this lesson, the first of a seven-part unit from Illuminations, students model subtraction with connecting cubes while the teacher reads to them from counting books. Then students make a train of connecting cubes and write in vertical and horizontal... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Counting to find sums

This lesson, one of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Do it with Dominoes,” focuses on the “counting” model for addition and begins with reading a counting book. Students model the numbers with counters as the book is read.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 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

Draw a math story: From the concrete to the symbolic

This ReadWriteThink activity begins with the reading aloud of several math-oriented stories, identifies key mathematical vocabulary terms, models math story writing, and then gives students an opportunity to write addition and subtraction stories. Students... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts and Mathematics)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Eggsactly equivalent

In this lesson, students use twelve eggs to identify equivalent fractions. Construction paper cutouts are used as a physical model to represent various fractions of the set of eggs. Students investigate relationships among fractions that are equivalent. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Eggsactly with a dozen eggs

Students are given the opportunity to examine fractions as part of a set. This lesson helps students develop skill in problem solving and reasoning as they examine relationships among the fractions used to describe part of a set of 12. Students will:... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Eggsactly with eighteen eggs

Students continue to examine fractions as part of a set. This lesson helps students develop skill in problem solving and reasoning as they examine relationships among the fractions used to describe part of a set of eighteen. Illuminations provides an overhead,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Estimator

This activity allows users to practice estimation skills by attempting to determine the number of individual objects shown, estimating the length of a curve based upon a given scale or estimating the area of a shape also based upon a given scale. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade K–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: Shodor

Estimator Four

This activity allows two users to play a game of estimation where each player tries to connect four game pieces in a row before his or her opponent does. The players earn game pieces by accurately estimating the answers to various problems. Users can choose... (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 3–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: Shodor