Kings County Office of Education

SCORE Mathematics Lessons

These SCORE Mathematics Lessons have been written by teachers selected to participate in SCORE Mathematics workshops. This page is designed especially for mathematics teachers and students in California. Its contents and links reflect our state's Mathematics Framework and the NCTM Standards.

Lessons are organized by their main strands. Links to descriptions of the strands, as stated in the California Mathematics Framework, are included. (NOTE: California's Mathematics Framework is currently under revision. The site reflects the 1992 Framework.)

Functions   Algebra   Geometry   Statistics and Probability   Discrete Mathematics   Measurement   Number   Logic and Language

CA Mathematics Framework - Functions   CA Mathematics Framework - Algebra   CA Mathematics Framework - Geometry   CA Mathematics Framework - Statistics and Probability   CA Mathematics Framework - Discrete Mathematics   CA Mathematics Framework - Measurement   CA Mathematics Framework - Number   CA Mathematics Framework - Logic and Language

    Functions

• The Bigger they Are . . . "Man, he really put his weight into that one!", "The only reason he gets more rebounds is because he is so tall!", "They don't cover him anymore because he is so old, that is why he catches so many passes!"Are any of these statements legitimate? The students will examine the league leaders in each of these categories to see if there is any truth to those statements. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.3; Mathematical Reasoning 1.1. Grade 5: Algebra and Functions 1.1; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.4; Mathematical Reasoning 3.1. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 2.3, 2.5; Mathematical Reasoning 1.2. Grade 7: Algebra and Functions 1.5; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.2; Mathematical Reasoning 1.1
• Discovering Growth Patterns (Grades 8-12) The differences between linear and exponential growth functions is emphasized in this lesson. A student page instructs students to locate four specified sites on the Internet. After data is collected on the student worksheet, pattern predictions are made. Graphing the collected data is done using Clarisworks spreadsheet or by using pencil and grid paper. Student description and analysis concludes the lesson.
• State Internet Search: A Mathematical Introduction To State Reports As a mathematical beginning to their state reports students complete a 2 day assignment which involves critical thinking, reasoning, graphing, and locating information on Web sites. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.3; Mathematical Reasoning 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 3.3. Grade 5: Algebra and Functions 1.1; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.4; Mathematical Reasoning 3.3. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 2.1, 2.5; Mathematical Reasoning 2.1. Grade 7: Measurement and Geometry 1.3; Mathematical Reasoning 2.1
• Population Ratios An interdisciplinary project (mathematics, social studies) where students choose a county in the United States and using ratios convert the statistics into meaningful numbers. Standards: Grade 4: Mathematical Reasoning 2.2, 3.3. Grade 5: Number Sense 1.2; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.3; Mathematical Reasoning 2.6. Grade 6: Number Sense 1.3; Algebra and Functions 2.2; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 3.1, 3.5. Grade 7: Number Sense 1.6; Mathematical Reasoning 1.2, 3.3
• Color, Computers, and Math (Grades 8-12)-- This activity looks at additive and subtractive color, light, and conversions between base 10 and base 16.
• Curve Fitting and the TI-85 Calculator (Grades 8-12) - a step-by-step guide for using the TI-85 Graphing Calculator to do scatter plots using data obtained from sources on the internet. Some information will model linear functions and some will be models of exponential functions.
• How popular is your favorite site? (Grades 8-12) -- Keep track of the counter at you favorite site for several months. Is it increasing, decreasing, or staying the same in popularity? Can you find an equation that will allow you to predict the amount of visitors your site will have in the months to come?

    Algebra

    Geometry

• Assorted Sports (by area) You have played games all your life. You know some playing fields are larger than others. (Imagine playing football on a tennis court) You will discover the dimensions of the different sports and compute the area of the playing fields. Standards: Grade 4: Measurement and Geometry 1.1, 1.2; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.3. Grade 5: Measurement and Geometry 1.1; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.4
• Introduction to Wireman (Grades 5-12) -- A lesson written to assist teachers in using the Wireman project at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
• Perimeter, Area and Pythogoras This is an example of a third grade teacher trying to review a lesson on perimeter, while presenting a new lesson on area. There was a problem with a square and two adjacent halves, cut diagonally, slanting away from the top corners of the square. It was designed to show two square units. The teacher also wanted them to find the perimeter, forgetting that the hypotenuse would be longer. Then he came up with a way to solve the problem using LOGO and a large monitor as a way of presenting the proof to the whole class. Standards: Grade 4: Measurement and Geometry 1.3. Grade 5: Measurement and Geometry 1.4

    Statistics and Probability

• All Those Advertising Dollars After getting information from advertising statistics available on the Internet, students will calculate percent increases (or percent decreases) for the top 25 companies in terms of advertising dollars spent during a year. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1. Grade 5: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.2. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 2.5. Grade 7: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.3; Mathematical Reasoning 1.1
• College Fund from Great Aunt Betty Great Aunt Betty left you $1,000 to go towards your college fund. Now, you will be investing your new found money into a 30 month CD. The account will be automatic, since it will be done through the Web site. Your job will be to calculate the growth of your CD for seven years. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1. Grade 5: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.3. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 3.1, 3.3. Grade 7: Number Sense 1.7
• Does More Wins Mean More Fans At The Ballpark? After getting information from the past baseball season off the Internet, students will calculate an attendance-to-win ratio for each of the 28 major league teams and then study the results to see if winning always leads to good attendance. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.3, 2.1. Grade 5: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.2. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 2.4, 2.5, 3.5. Grade 7: Mathematical Reasoning 1.1
• How Many Ways Can A Team Win A 7-Game Series? Students will discover how many ways a team can win a 7-game series (NBA Finals, World Series, Stanley Cup) by accessing the Internet and then systematically constructing a sample space which lists all the possible ways. Standards: Grade 8-12: Algebra II 18
• "M&Ms;" Line Plots and Graphing Using small individual bags of M&Ms;, students will do activities including, estimating, sorting, graphing, mean, median, mode, and averaging. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2. Grade 5: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.4, 2.1, 3.2. Grade 7: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.3
• Raisin Cane California's San Joaquin Valley is the largest agricultural producing area in the world. Raisins are an important part of the valley's agriculture. This activity will prompt students to estimate and count how many raisins come in a box and then chart the results. Standards: Grade 5: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 3.2
• Sampling: An Exercise in Statistics Introduction This lesson is designed to supplement the chapter on sampling in an AP Statistics course. (Chapter 3 in Moore's Basic Practice of Statistics, and Chapter 3 in Moore & McCabe's Introduction to the Practice of Statistics.) Students use 5 articles from the internet that have information about surveys, experiments or observational studies. They need to see which statistical terms apply. Standards: Grade 8-12: Probability and Statistics 4
• Surfing Amusement parks It's your birthday and your parents have given you the choice of going to any one of five amusement parks in California. There is just one catch! They have asked that you choose one with an entrance fee that is the median price range. Surf the Internet to find how much it will cost for your family to go to each park. Graph your findings. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.2. Grade 5: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.4. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.4, 2.3. Grade 7: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.3
• Using Computers to Produce Spreadsheets and Bar Graphs Using data from the Glencoe Math book, from internet sources or data of your own choice, learn what information and formulas to use to create a spreadsheet and the bar graphs to show the data pictorially. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.2. Grade 5: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.2. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.4. 3.1. Grade 7: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.2. Grade 8-12: Probability and Statistics 1, 5, 8
• Where do I want to live? This is a segment of a larger Social Studies Project. Students use a variety of Internet sources to gather income and population data. They then use the data to compare states and make decisions. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1. Grade 5: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.2. Grade 6: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1, 1.4, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 3.2

Discrete Mathematics

• How Many Different Ways is a Discrete Mathematics Lesson where you will ultimately work on your addition and multiplication skills. Not only will there be a connection with counting, adding, and multiplying, but there will also be a connection made with Pascal's Triangle. Standards: Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 2.1; Mathematical Reasoning 1.2, 2.6, 3.2

Measurement

• California Here We Come! A trip across the USA. Each team will choose any state capital on the east coast as their starting point.They will travel west stopping at each state capital along the way and record miles traveled. Each student group will create a chart or table showing the number of miles traveled from state capital to state capital and then total number of miles driven. Be the team to reach Sacramento, California with the fewest number of miles traveled to win the prize. Standards: Grade 4: Number Sense 1.2, 3.3; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.2; Mathematical Reasoning 2.2, 2.4. Grade 5: Number Sense 2.1; Mathematical Reasoning 2.1, 3.2. Grade 6: Number Sense 2.3; Algebra and Functions 2.3; Mathematical Reasoning 2.2, 2.5, 3.2. Grade 7: Algebra and Functions 4.2; Measurement and Geometry 1.1; Mathematical Reasoning 2.8
• Coaster Connection (Grades 8-12)-- What science and math exist in a roller coaster? You will enter the world of rollercoasters via hands-on activities, Internet information, online experts, and computer simulations.
• Magic Mountain Coaster Computation You are going to Magic Mountain! Everyone has a favorite roller coaster. Some are fast, or loopy, or crazy. You will discover the highest, and fastest coaster in Magic Mountain. Standards: Grade 4: Mathematical Reasoning 2.4. Grade 5: Mathematical Reasoning 2.3. Grade 6: Mathematical Reasoning 2.4. Grade 7: Measurement and Geometry 1.1; Mathematical Reasoning 2.5
• Pumpkin Pie for All! Let's make pumpkin pie for the whole class! Imagine making enough pie so that everyone could have a piece. How about enough pie to take one home. The only problem is that the recipe you have makes 1 pie at a time which only has 8 pieces. Standards: Grade 2: Number Sense 4.2. Grade 3: Number Sense 3.1. Grade 4: Mathematical Reasoning 3.3. Grade 5: Number Sense 2.1, 2.4; Mathematical Reasoning 2.2. Grade 6: Number Sense 2.1; Mathematical Reasoning 2.2, 3.2. Grade 7: Number Sense 1.2; Measurement and Geometry 1.1; Mathematical Reasoning 2.2, 3.2
• Olympic records through time Are we faster, stronger, better than we used to be? Compare the records of gold medal olympic winners for the last 100 years and decide. Standards: Grade 4: Algebra and Functions 1.4. Grade 5: Algebra and Functions 1.1, 1.2; Mathematical Reasoning 1.1, 2.3. Grade 6: Mathematical Reasoning 1.1, 2.3. Grade 7: Algebra and Functions 1.1; Mathematical Reasoning 2.3
• Noon Project Revisited 2200 years ago, Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth from the measurements of two shadows (in a well and from a pole). The Noon Project is an annual internet event for schools to team up and make their own measurements. Using the reported 1995 shadow measurements, you can perform the calculations to determine the diameter of the Earth. Standards: Grade 4: Algebra and Functions 1.1. Grade 8-12: Geometry 7, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21; Trigonometry 1, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, 19
• Tides of Change (Grades 8-12) -- In this project, students use the Internet to gather information on tides and then use this information to determine the period of revolution of the moon around the earth (part 1) and the relative pull of the sun and the moon on the tides (part 2).

    Number

• Buy or Lease an Automobile (Grades 8-12) --Sooner or later everyone will be confronted with the question of whether or not leasing a car is a viable option to buying a car. In other words, how important is it to own your car? Task: Each student will come with information on 3 NEW cars they would like to drive. Then for each car the student will use the Buy/Lease calculator to see which option, buy or lease is best.
• A McTrip Back In Time You are going to travel back to 1954 to a McDonald's Restaurant to see how prices have changed. Standards: Grade 5: Number Sense 1.5, 2.3. Grade 6: Number Sense 2.1, 2.3. Grade 7: Number Sense 1.2, 1.7
• Company is Coming Grandma is coming for a visit tomorrow, and her doctor has put her on a fat free diet. You have found a fat free recipe for pancakes, which serves eight. Since Grandma can't eat eight pancakes, you'll need to find 1/2 of the recipe. Mom found out about your neat idea and wanted to taste your creation, so now you need to find 3/4 of the recipe. Standards: Grade 5: Number Sense 2.4. Grade 6: Number Sense 2.2. Grade 7: Number Sense 1.2
• Eating on a Budget You have won a $25.00 gift certificate to the Grist Mill Resturant and Bow Mills Pub for a dinner. You will choose an appetizer, salad, and beef or seafood for your dinner. The catch is, you'll need to stay within the $25.00 budget. Standards: Grade 5: Number Sense 2.1. Grade 6: Number Sense 2.3
• Exquisite Excursions - Students will locate 6 cities, one on each of the 6 major continents. They will find distance for each leg of their journey, convert to percents, use a time zone map, and convert to foreign currencies. The class will estmate the circumference of the earth and find the range, mean, median, mode(s) and possible outliers for the estimates. Standards: Grade 4: Number Sense 2.2; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.2; Grade 5: Number Sense 2.1, 2.2; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1; Grade 6: Number Sense 1.2, 1.4; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1
• I want a credit card--or do I? Credit cards seem like a great way to pay for things. It only takes a small payment each month to buy whatever your heart desires. You can charge $1000.00 for the paltry sum of $25.00 per month. But, will you still be paying when the thrill is gone? Standards: Grade 6: Algebra and Functions 1.1. Grade 8-12: Probability and Statistics 8; Mathematical Analysis 7
• Math Review/Geography This is a lesson designed to help review 7th and 8th grade math skills. In addition, map skills are also reviewed. Hopefully, geographic knowledge of Europe is improved. To complete this lesson a basic knowledge of percents, area, map reading, estimating, and rounding will be used. A three inch strip of paper will be needed. Standards: Grade 6: Number Sense 1.2, 2.3. Grade 7: Number Sense 1.2
• Planning a Trip (Grades 4-12) -- Students will plan a trip to from 3 to 5 cities of their choice. The main assignment is to make a brochure to travel to the chosen cities. It should be of a quality that it could be used by a customer to decide if they would like to take this trip. It should include fares for planes, trains, rental cars etc., cost of housing and meals, points of interest to visit in the cities.
• Ratios, Mars and the Internet (Grades 4-9) is a simple project that attempts to integrate mathematics and technology. Students are involved in calculating real ratios that exist between the planets Earth and Mars. First, these calculations are completed and reviewed by the teacher. Then the student uses the internet or a simulated internet environment to check their work.
• Shopping for Toys You have just won a $100 gift certificate to buy some toys! You must try to spend as much of it as you can without going over. Let's go shopping and have some fun! Standards: Grade 2: Number Sense 2.2, 2.3, 5.1, 5.2; Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1; Mathematical Reasoning 1.1. Grade 3: Number Sense 1.4. Grade 4: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 1.1; Mathemathical Reasoning 2.6

    Logic and Language

• All Aboard! Have you ever wanted to take a train trip to another city in California? What would you do when you got there? You are going to take a "train trip" to a city of your choice. You will then tell us about your trip when you return. Standards: Grade 2: Number Sense 2.2, 2.3; Measurement and Geometry 1.4, 1.5. Grade 3: Number Sense 1.1. Grade 4: Number Sense 1.2; Mathematical Reasoning 2.3, 2.4, 3.2
• Buying My First Car You will soon be in the position of getting your driver's license and looking for a car. In all of the excitement, you are faced with a number of decisions which need to be made before you actually purchase your car. Through this unit you will research every aspect that a person goes through when purchasing a car. Standards: Grade 6: Number Sense 1.2, 1.3; Mathematical Reasoning 2.4, 2.7. Grade 7: Number Sense 1.2, 1.6; Algebra and Functions 1.5; Mathematical Reasoning 2.5, 2.6.
• Historical Mathematicians Project (Grades 4-12) -- People throughout history have had a passion for mathematics. Small student groups will use the Internet and other traditional sources to research historically significant mathematicians, write a paper, and creatively present research in class.
• Math Crosswords (Grades 4-12) -- You and your classmates will create crossword puzzles that use the definitions of math terms you use as clues. The terms will be the answers which go into the puzzle.
• Mathematicians and Scientists Treasure Hunt (Grades 4-12) -- The students will match a fact with a mathematician or scientist using the Internet.
• The Pony Express In the movement West, the Pony Express was a major influence in communications during its short life. Many students may be intrigued by the story of the Pony Express, and the following activities will help them discover a little about the route, and some of the problems they encountered. Standards: Grade 4: Mathematical Reasoning 2.6
• Sharing Your Birthday (Grades 4-12) -- This is a writing assignment in which the student uses the internet to locate a famous mathematician that shares his or her own birthday.

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Jim Shaver
Last updated July 23, 1998

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