A monthly set of problems targets a variety of ability levels.
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P. Reneé Hill-Cunningham
Hundreds of species of animals around the world are losing their habitats and food supplies, are facing extinction, or have been hunted or otherwise negatively influenced by humans. Students learn about some of these animals and explore multiple solution strategies as they solve this month's problems. Math by the Month features collections of short activities focused on a monthly theme. These articles aim for an inquiry or problem-solving orientation that includes four activities each for grade bands K–2, 3–4, and 5–6.
Sarah Ferguson
Explore the creation of a unique problem-based learning (PBL) experience.
Gemma F. Mojica, Christina N. Azmy, and Hollylynne S. Lee
Concord Consortium's Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP), a free Web-based data tool designed for students in grades 6-12 and higher, is continuously being updated and developed for diverse projects in data science, science education, and mathematics/statistics education (https://codap.concord.org/). Teachers and students can access CODAP without downloading software or registering for accounts. Although some Web-based technology tools provide certain features for free and require users to pay a fee to use additional features, CODAP has no hidden costs. Devices need only be connected to the Internet using an updated Web browser (Chrome is preferred). CODAP is not optimized (yet) for use on such touchscreen devices as tablets or iPads®.
Stephen Phelps
Edited by Anna F. DeJarnette
A monthly set of problems is aimed at a variety of ability levels.
Rick Stuart and Matt Chedister
While filling three-dimensional letters, students analyzed the relationship between the height of water level and elapsed time.
Arnulfo Pérez, Bailey Braaten, and Robert MacConnell
A hands-on, project-based modeling unit illustrates how real-world inquiry deepens student engagement with function concepts.
Erin E. Krupa, Mika Munakata, and Karmen Yu
Can you remember your typical elementary school field day? In this article, we provide details on hosting a mathematics field day, focused on embedding rich mathematics into authentic fun-filled field day experiences.
Elaine M. Purvinis and Joshua B. Fagan
In first- and second-year algebra classrooms, the all-too-familiar whine of “when are we ever going to use this in real life?” challenges mathematics teachers to find new, engaging ways to present mathematical concepts. The introduction of quadratic equations is typically modeled by describing the motion of a moving object with respect to time, and typical lessons include uninspiring textbook practice problems that portray dropping or shooting objects from given distances or at particular time intervals. For a novel approach to exploring quadratics, we chose to step outside the classroom to look at some phenomena in the field of acoustics. Our activity incorporates mathematical modeling to provide a multirepresentational view of the math behind the physics and to provide a conceptual basis for analyzing and understanding a real-world quadratic situation.
