Math

Math Project: Disneyland Parking Structure

Math Project: Disneyland Parking Structure

Let's develop a math project to challenge students who have demonstrated a mastery of multiplication and are ready to explore its applications. We'll count the parking spaces in the Disneyland parking structure!

$When A Math Puzzle Isn’t Very Puzzling$

When A Math Puzzle Isn’t Very Puzzling

It looks like a fun puzzle. But it's actually just a low-level worksheet in disguise!

Healthy Donuts!? Framing a Math Project with a Big Idea

Healthy Donuts!? Framing a Math Project with a Big Idea

Instead of jumping straight to calculations, what if we framed this math concept with a big idea?

The Surprises Within a Triangle’s Angles

The Surprises Within a Triangle’s Angles

Discovering what is interesting and unexpected about a triangle's angles. What twists have I unintentionally spoiled for my students over the years?

Updating Old Questions: A math question that’s TOO high level?!

Updating Old Questions: A math question that’s TOO high level?!

What happens when we ask a math level that scares off 83% of our students? Don't lower the ceiling! Lower the floor through scaffolding.

Universal Themes in Math? With Fractions!?

Universal Themes in Math? With Fractions!?

What if we used a universal theme to guide our study of fractions? These very big ideas get students thinking about fractions in a new way.

The Coloring Problem

The Coloring Problem

How few colors can you use to fill in a map so that no neighboring regions are the same color?

Updating Old Questions: Addition With Missing Pieces

Updating Old Questions: Addition With Missing Pieces

How can I go beyond asking 20 variations of 622 + 77 = ___?

Calculating the Volume of Laptops

Calculating the Volume of Laptops

So once your students can calculate volume… what do you have them do next? In this math project, kids will look up historic laptops, calculate their volumes, and note how technology has changed over time.

Encourage Curiosity With Calculators

Encourage Curiosity With Calculators

It's easy to fall in love with chasing the newest technology to use in the classroom. But sometimes, the perfect tool is a plain old calculator. We'll be using this tool to develop curiosity about math.