| Activity |
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Description |
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Grades |
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Topics |
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Software |
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Algebra Balance Beam |
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Solve simple equations using a balance beam representation. |
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7, 8 |
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Algebra |
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Applet |
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 |
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Black Box |
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Guess my (2-step) rule. The black box method uses an imaginary device (the black box) that modifies the input number according to a specific formula. The formula is hidden in the black box so to a viewer the number mysteriously changes. |
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6, 7, 8 |
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Algebra |
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FlashLink: Black Box Method |
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 |
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Boutique - Making Change |
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At the Boutique shop the student plays the role of a store clerk who sells clothes. The main task is to handle the exchange of money and give correct change. In this example, the student is given $5.00 for an item that costs $4.22. The right change is 78¢. Assuming you have 9 of each coin (quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies) in your register, what are the different ways you could make the necessary change? |
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6, 7 |
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Numerical operations, Problem Solving |
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SS |
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 |
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Broken Calculator |
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In this game you have to get as close as possible to a given number, by using the still working buttons of a broken calculator. Challenge: make your computation come out to 25 if the 5 key is disabled. |
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6, 7 |
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Number Sense, Numerical operations |
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Applet,
MW* |
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 |
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Crickets, Chirps & Temperature: Is there a relationship? |
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Could you use crickets as a temperature thermometer? In this lesson, you will learn ways to find relationships between two variables (like pitch and temperature) so that for a certain pitch of a cricket chirp you can approximate the temperature. |
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7 |
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Algebra |
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SS |
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 |
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Diagonals of Polygons |
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The pentagon has 4 diagonals. How many diagonals does a 13-gon have? Can you find a rule that will help you to answer the question without drawing the figure? |
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7, 8 |
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Patterns (Pre Algebra) |
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GSP |
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 |
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Dog Years |
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Hey Big Guy, Count your blessings! If you were a dog, you’d be over 100 years old. How old is the birthday person? Use the applet to figure out the answer. |
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6, 7 |
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Patterns (Pre Algebra) |
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applet |
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 |
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Estimating Heights |
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In a letter professor Sanders asks your class: Is there a way to predict the height of a person by just knowing the length of the radius bone? Your students will need to do some measurements to find out. |
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7 |
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Data Analysis |
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|
 |
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Exterior Angles of triangle |
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Can you figure out a method to determine the measure of the exterior angle of the triangle in each sketch without using a measuring device or Sketchpad’s tools? Study your results carefully. Next determine angle BCD in the figures above without using any measuring device like a protractor. Explain (1) what you did and (2) why it works. |
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7, 8 |
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Geometry |
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GSP |
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 |
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Factor Game – NCTM Version |
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Two players compete for high score by picking numbers from a screen which are then added to their score. There is a catch though. Whenever Player A picks a number, the total of every factor of that number still showing on the screen is added to the opponent's score. When the opponent, Player B, chooses a number, that number is added to his/her score, but Player A gets the total of all remaining factors of the number that B chose. |
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7 |
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Number Sense, Numerical operations |
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Applet |
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 |
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Fair Game Dilemma: Odd or Even? |
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Two players roll 2 cubes. Player 1 wins if sum of cubes is even, player 2 wins if the sum is odd. Is this a fair game? |
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6, 7 |
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Probability |
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MW |
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 |
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Far Fetched Areas Glitch Problem |
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In order to find out the area we need to make a drawing of our tiles and then use a program called the Geometer’s Sketchpad to tell us how many square centimeters there are in our tiles. |
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6, 7 |
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Geometry |
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GSP Applet |
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 |
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Fat Cat Activity |
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" Is the heaviest cat always the fattest cat? Why or Why not? Compare Blob with ""Lean and Mean"". Which one is the fatter cat? Why?" |
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7 |
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Data Analysis |
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SS |
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 |
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Green Globs Contest |
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"Students combine computer game fun and serious mathematics in a face-off of the ""Green Globs Challenge."" After learning about coordinate graphs and equations in math class, students put their knowledge to work by playing the ""Green Globs"" computer game using classroom computers and laptops. Highest score wins." |
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7, 8 |
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Algebra |
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Graphing Equations and Green Globs$$$ |
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 |
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How High? |
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In this activity you will learn something about how to determine the volume (how much liquid) there is in the rectangular Tank. |
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7 |
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Geometry |
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Applet |
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 |
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Jinx Puzzle 1 |
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Repeat this puzzle with a variety of rational numbers (both positive and negative.) What do you discover? Do you think this puzzle always works? (Spreadsheet version.) |
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7 |
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Patterns (Pre Algebra) |
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SS |
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 |
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Jinx Puzzle 2 |
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Repeat this puzzle with a variety of rational numbers (both positive and negative.) What do you discover? Do you think this puzzle always works? (TI calculator version.) |
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7, 8 |
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Algebra, Patterns (Pre Algebra) |
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TI Calc |
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 |
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Job Offer |
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YOU GOT THE JOB! You have a choice of 2 payment plans. Study carefully both plans before deciding. |
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7 |
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Algebra, Geometry |
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SS |
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 |
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Mind Reader |
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Solve a math problem and watch the computer guess your secret symbol. How does the computer know it? It uses Algebra. See if you can figure out how! |
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7, 8 |
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Algebra |
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Flash |
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 |
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Pattern Blocks for Sale |
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How much should we charge for the design if the square costs $1.00? |
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6, 7 |
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Geometry |
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GSP |
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 |
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Power of 2 |
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Paper folding problem: How many times would you need to fold a piece of paper (assuming its possible so that the number of sheets would pile high enough to reach the moon? |
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7 |
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Number Sense, Patterns (Pre Algebra) |
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SS |
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 |
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Ptomaine Fish Co. Decisions |
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Groups of students will choose the most economic fish delivery plan from 3 company’s proposals. They use a spreadsheets to come up with their recommendation to the CEO of the Ptomaine Fish Co. |
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7 |
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Patterns (Pre Algebra) |
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SS |
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 |
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Repeating and terminating Decimals |
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Can every fraction be written as a decimal? This spreadsheet activity will help you to find out. |
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7 |
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Number Sense, Numerical operations |
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SS |
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 |
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Shoe size vs. Height |
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Do taller people have larger feet? In this activity you will use a spreadsheet and the length of your feet and height to help you find out. |
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7 |
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Data Analysis |
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SS |
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 |
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Spinwheels II |
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Version 3 of spinwheel with hole. |
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6, 7 |
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Geometry |
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GSP |
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 |
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Spiros |
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Whumpus, Whimsy or Gloop? Which Creature is it? |
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6, 7 |
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Data Analysis |
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MW |
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 |
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Temperature - USA |
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Look at a USA Today Weather page. It shows a map of the United States color coded according to temperature. Based on the temperature bands you see, what kinds of conclusions can you make about temperature patterns on this map? |
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7 |
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Data Analysis |
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|
 |
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Tessellations: Semi regular |
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This activity asks the student to make a semi-regular tessellation. There are 8 such tessellations. Students use Sketchpad shapes above to make all the tessellations and then explain why they tessellate. |
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7, 8 |
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Geometry |
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Applet |
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 |
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West Challenge |
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Play the West game. (You will find it on your computer.) Also play the West Round Trip game which also takes you backwards from Great Gulch to the start. In the process you will learn about negative numbers! |
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6, 7 |
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Numerical operations, Problem Solving |
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