Category: Algebra

These posts help students see patterns and relationships.

Will I pay less if I buy more?

In this activity, when you spend more than the three cut-off points you get a greater discount. What amounts should you not spend? Should you spend more to get the greater discount? What does this data look like when graphed?

What does my wreath symbolize?

Students learn about the source of the peace sign. They play with semaphore images to design their own logo. They investigate the number of semaphore signals that could be created with two flags. World peace is promoted.

Consumer Spending 2023

Consumers in the U.S. spend a lot of money. In this activity we look at historical data to see if there are any patterns in our spending.  How does our holiday spending show up in these graphs?  What accounts for spikes or drops in spending? What patterns do you notice?  Which patterns will likely continue and which patterns won’t?

What is a quantum dot?

Students learn about nanotechnology and why it works by looking closely at surface area and its comparison to volume. Hopefully they will begin to understand the incredible possibilities of this science.

Veterans Day, 2023

Population and Density maps of where Veterans live. What can you observe? What do you wonder? How do they compare?

2023 World Cup Cricket

In this activity students learn about the game; calculate the number of matches that must be played; and try to reason how to count the matches in a more abstract manner.

Yummy Pumpkin Pie

23 people are coming to my house for pumpkin pie and a hike. How many pies should I make?  How much of each ingredient will I need? What quantities should I buy?  Engage your students in estimation, multiplication of fractions and proportional reasoning.

14 ideas for Halloween

We have 14 great activities to use in your class as we near Halloween. Candy sales; Participation in activities; Creating a sheet ghost costume; Bats; Figuring chocolate volume; Dia de los meurtos; and more …

Vampire bats + Mosquito eating bats

Two activities. Vampire bats = We’ve given lots of interesting metric and customary unit facts and asked students to relate those sizes to more familiar objects. + Mosquito eating bats = Students compare a bat’s weight to how much he can consume in one night. They calculate how much they would need to eat to consume a comparable proportion of food.

Nobel Prizes

The Nobel Prizes have just been awarded.  Alfred Nobel was a chemist, engineer, inventor, and businessman.  He left most of his fortune to endow 5 prizes for “those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind” in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. How much money is awarded?

More Population Pyramids

The population pyramid above shows the distribution of the World by ages and sex for each continent. How can that information help you put your vision of the world in better perspective?