21st Century Math Projects -- Engaging Middle & High School Math Projects

Become a TPT Follower to Receive...

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:01:00 +0000

a giveaway offer tomorrow! You have a couple hours to do so, I'll be send it out. If you miss this one, don't fret. I'll do it periodically :-) (EDIT: Apparently TPT holds the mail for a couple days :-) It's coming sometime, I promise!)

I will be given to a cool person

Click the "Follow Me" at this link: Click Me!!! Click Me!!!

Equation Boot Camp -- Differentiated Equation Solving Practice Assignments

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:01:00 +0000

Drill Sergeant Voice Optional!

Although this isn't a math project, Equation Boot Camp reinforces one of the most important math skills of all -- solving equations. Some basics just can't be replaced!

At times, I was frustrated teaching more challenging equations when it was obvious many in the class needed extra help on easier stuff. I developed this idea of an Equation Boot Camp to reinforce those skills, but allowing others to accelerate on their own!

Typically I teach Solving Equations in October and I used this in the Spring as remediation and enrichment. In my class, I also assign grades based on mastery so if students demonstrates this skill, then I improve their scores from the beginning of the year.

Students will take a Pre-Assessment and will be assigned a level. Each level is thematically tied with a rank in the Army. So while the Levels of the algebra get more challenging, they achieve a higher rank in the army.

After students master a level, they are signed off and promoted to the next level. Students intrinsically strive to get up a level and are innately curious about the next one.

There are 9 main levels of problems, thus 9 practice assignments included. For each level 2 mastery tests are included for a total of 18. Over 200 problems included overall!

When I do this I devote 3-5 days in class of small group practice, targeted instruction, and mastery testing. It's Boot Camp after all! You could just as easily use these assignments for homework or classwork without the Boot Camp experience.

An answer guide is included for all practice assignments and mastery tests. The total page count on the file is 28.

Unlike the majority of the items in my store, this is not a math project.

TPT Sitewide Sale Starts Tuesday!

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Sun, 05 May 2013 11:59:00 +0000

In the spirit of Teachers Appreciation Week, the Mothership TPT is putting on a sitewide sale which I am so-totally-participating-in. You will need to use the Promo Code TAD13. While the site sale is only a two-day sale, I have put all of my stuff in the 21st Century Math Projects Store on sale for an extra two days.

If you are not already a "Follower" over on the site, become one! I will start doing some free giveaways for followers and I'm pegging the first one for the May 18th where I will giveaway a copy of my new Person Puzzle eBook!

So... yeah... don't buy anything the next two days, but you can load your cart up!

Person Puzzles Go CRAZY!

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:03:00 +0000

Find Person Puzzles Here!

While they are not math projects, a collection of Person Puzzles was my own personal project!

Person Puzzles are designed to highlight individuals with diverse backgrounds who have made significant contributions to our world. In my experience, our students are underexposed and unaware of many significant (historical or current) figures and this is an easy way a math teacher can throw some interdisciplinary content without sacrificing their math!

Students enjoy the person puzzles because they innately like figuring out these types of mysteries and enjoy learning about someone interesting and different! I typically use Person Puzzles as timed warm-ups which allows me to share a little about the person's background before my daily lesson. I can also drop some college readiness info like majors, degrees and careers!

While some have a hard time admitting it, American curriculum is pretty much completely westernized. Much of the world (outside of Europe) is ignored. Even the little that is shared about other cultures is usually from an orientalist, stereotyped point-of-view.

Defeat orientalism and integrate content with a Person Puzzle! You can find the entire eBook (20% off buying them all separately right here: Click me)

Order of Operations -- Cesar Chavez
Distribution -- Aung San Suu Kyi
Combining Like Terms -- W.E.B. Du Bois
Equations One-Step -- David Robinson
Equations Two-Step -- Jane Goodall
Equations (Variables on Both Sides) -- John Herrington
Solving Equations with Fractions -- Harvey Milk
Solving Equations with Decimals -- Bethany Hamilton
Solving Multi-Step Equations -- Bernard Kouchner
Domain and Range with Functions -- Helen Keller
Calculating Slope -- Fauja Singh
Rewriting Equations in Slope Intercept Form -- Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Point and Slope -- Andrei Sakharov
Linear Equations with Two Points -- Eleanor Roosevelt
Absolute Value Equations -- Jim Henson
Solving Inequalities -- William Kamkwamba
Compound Inequalities -- Tawakel Karman
Systems of Equations (Substitution) -- Maya Angelou
Systems of Equations (Elimination) -- Nelson Mandela
Systems of Equations (Mixed Up) -- Roberto Clemente
Adding & Subtracting Polynomials -- Eva Peron
Multiplying Monomials -- Irena Sendler
Diving Monomials & Negative Exponents -- Wangari Maathai
Multiplying Binomials (FOIL) -- Pat Tillman
Factoring with GCF -- Jaime Escalante
Factoring by Grouping -- Septima Poinsette Clark
Factoring -- Mother Teresa
Factoring with ax^2 -- Muhammad Yunus
Quadratic Formula -- Grace Hopper
Simplifying Radical Expressions -- Somaly Mam
Multiplying Radicals -- Malala Yousafzai
Solving Equations with Radicals -- Stephen Hawking

Design a Zoo -- Updating Mishap -- Please Go Redownload

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:24:00 +0000

If you purchased Design a Zoo within the last couple weeks, please go redownload the file. I just realized that the file posted on the site was missing a couple critical pages. If you purchased it before then, it should be fine, but I would redownload to make sure.

There were a couple "horizontal" pages, that I forget to put in on my common core update, but you need them!

If you are unsure how to re-download, here are some instructions:

To do this…

You can download the updates by clicking on your My Purchases Tab. There is a pull down bar and you can select "Recently Revised". Right below the Download Button “Newly Revised Re-Download" will be blinking. You will be able to download it again for free with the updates by clicking on the words “newly revised re-download".

I believe this classifies as my first product recall. If any students or teachers suffered injury as a result of any malfunction, I will check my Homeowner's Insurance.

Sorry!

~21cmp

Make Sure you Redownload Updated Files!

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:52:00 +0000

Hello Math Friends!

I want to send you a note to let you know literally EVERY file in my store has been updated. Everything has been aligned to the Common Core Standards. Lots of tables have been adjusted. Files have been improved. Lots of nips and tucks have been made. Be sure to revisit TPT to download new files to replace your old ones.

To do this…

I like to tinker and tweak so thing may get updated every once in a while.

Thank you so much for supporting my work and I hope the projects have been helpful!

Click here to go fast! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/My-Purchases

Cool Website Spotlight -- New Global Citizens

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:18:00 +0000

To conclude my series of cool websites with an emphasis on global connections, I end with one that encourages students to put their knowledge to use and take action on an issue. New Global Citizens.

http://www.newglobalcitizens.org/

New Global Citizens is a United States based non-profit that aims to give middle school and high school students a global perspective and provide avenues to take action on an issue. They believe that through empowering students to become agents of change that they are in fact equipping a New Global Citizen. New Global Citizens serves as a middleman to facilitate global partnership with service agencies on the ground around the world. As opposed to seeking out a direct partnership with an international organization (which is difficult) that line of communication is open and ready for a classroom to engage in the work. For instance, New Global Citizens have a partnership with the Nyaka AIDS Orphan Project which serves children in Uganda. Teachers and student leaders, would “lead a team” to educate others about the issue, increase global awareness and raise money for a cause that helps others around the world.

How would I use this in my math classroom? I suppose whenever fundraising occurs money and accounting are not far behind. Asking students to keep cost and revenue records lends to systems of equations and projecting future costs or revenue connects with modeling, patterns and regression. Whenever money is involved, math is not far behind.

Cool Website Spotlight -- Skype in the Classroom

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:13:00 +0000

Skype in the Classroom is an extension of the popular mainstream internet based communication tool. Currently nearly 50,000 teachers and 2,400 lessons are available on Skype and with a little something for all content areas. Collaborations can connect a classroom from St. Louis to Hong Kong with little effort. A testimonial of third grade teacher shares who she has brought her classroom to China, Italy, New Zealand, Brazil, England, Albania, Israel and India with a few clicks and messages between international teachers. Famous people from the Secretary of State to famed basketball player Shaquille O’Neal have also taken part in Skype in the Classroom lessons.

In addition their catalogue of teaching resources, teachers can arrange “Mystery Skypes” with a classroom around the world. Through interacting, asking and answering questions students are asked to figure out where in the world they are and learn about another culture.

How would I use this in the math classroom? There is a wonderful collection of resources for each content area. With more careful exploration, perhaps I can find a lesson that fits into what I'm doing. The idea of connecting with a "sister" classroom across the world that is doing similar things is also very intriguing and can better connect students to the world around them!

The 21st Century Math Project Philosophy

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:27:00 +0000

Many people have asked for some advice to develop their own 21st Century Math Projects so I thought I'd

Check out some stuff!

try to articulate what I try to do to help with your own project planning!

I believe that three key elements need to be in place for a super strong math project or lesson. Real World Authenticity, Mathematical Rigor and 21st Century Swagg. If there is a hearty balance of these three things in my experience that's when I bring the learning to the next level. A traditional classroom would fall into the Mathematical Rigor category, but lacks Real World Relevancy or 21st Century Swagg.

Having students design a car on a computer, without a solid math foundation (or for an appropriate grade level) is a prime example of Real World Authenticity absent Mathematical Rigor or 21st Century Swagg.

21st Century Swagg Personified!

A lack of 21st Century Swagg may be the product of using a blurry ditto from 1981. Presentation matters. The look of the assignment matters. Humor, if possible, matters. Student interest matters! I can't count how many problems I use from textbooks that start with "In 1991". Most of my students this year were born in 1998. While what happened in 1991 may be important, there are also important things that happened in 2011 that textbook companies just can't keep up with.

Of course there is not necessarily an Authentic Real World project for each math topic you teach. That doesn't mean it's impossible to make one. You just may need to up the dosage of Mathematical Rigor or 21st Century Swagg. My popular CSI projects are examples of this. With the engaging CSI puzzle solving framework (extra 21st Century Swagg) and Mathematical Rigor, a project for any topic is possible. Of course there are Authentic Real World problems in these puzzles, but perhaps nothing meaty enough to expand to a full-blown project.

I would argue you can't do without any of these ideas. Many might say you can cut out the 21st Century Swagg. Perhaps that's possible, but if student interest isn't there, student engagement may not be.

Real World Authenticity -- Mathematical Rigor -- 21st Century Swagg. Your might be your new bff. Or it might not be. Go make cool stuff for your kids!

21st Century Math Projects 2013 Collection Now Live!

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:14:00 +0000

A money saving 10 project bundle!

A brand-new collection of 10 engaging, student approved 21st Century Math Projects that provide rigor, relevance, and cross-curricular content altogether. These are primarily aimed at Algebra 1 Geometry, Algebra II and PreCalculus content, but provide opportunities for enrichment and remediation at all levels!

EVERYTHING IS NOW ALIGNED TO THE COMMON CORE! YAY!

I have each of these projects advertised separately. You can save time and money, and get them all in one order. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Included in this set:

Carbon Footprint: Environment-Focused STEM Project

Correlation All-Star: Sports-Based Statistic Project

CSI: Geometry – Unit 4 – Proportions & Similarity: STEM Project

Design a Zoo – Integrated Area & Perimeter Geometry Project

The Election: Political Science Math Project

The Game of Life: Financial Literacy Real World Project

Grade Point Average: Integrated Math Project

Silence the Violence: Take Action Math Project

Superhero Transformations: Hands-On STEM Project

Toothpick Bridge: Geometry STEM Proje ct

So if you enjoy saving some money, this might be for you. It's over 50% off to get the bundle instead of purchasing each separately!

Cool Website Spotlight -- ePals Global Community

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:08:00 +0000

To continue with the theme of globally connected learning opportunities, today I highlight another interesting site, ePals Global Community.

http://www.epals.com/

ePals Global Community is a site to help build connections across the globe. Teachers are able to post ads for the type of partnership they are interested in and what age-level they serve. While most collaboration efforts have specific goals (such as a student art exchange), many teachers are looking to develop pen pal relationships for their students. These interactions are also safely housed through the ePals site as opposed to direct communication to ensure safety and privacy. ePals also boasts a catalogue of engaging, globally relevant classroom resources that teachers can use for free.

How would I use this in the math classroom? This one may be more literacy focused, but if students develop relationships across the globe, perhaps they share similar math experiences.

Cool Website Spotlight -- Flat Stanley Project

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:04:00 +0000

In a previous entry, I highlighted iEARN as a useful tool to connect your students to the world. Online collaboration networks are not just for high school students, but many sites exist for elementary aged student collaboration. Although the type of collaboration does look different than the high school, students are able to interact in a meaningful way. For example, the Flat Stanley Project focuses on literacy and intercultural interactions.

After reading the book, Flat Stanley, students are asked to make their own versions of the character Flat Stanley. Students are then required to keep a journal detailing his adventures. As opposed to a first person interaction, early educators believe that the third person focus improves the quality of the writing and encourages the creative of their students as opposed to the traditional first person approach. The student’s Flat Stanley character and journal will then be sent to a pen pal or classroom somewhere around the world where another student will receive it. This student is asked to treat Flat Stanley and similarly document his travels. On the Flat Stanley Project website, students can track the travels of their own Flat Stanley. A similar project, Monster Exchange features a comparable theme and focus on reading and literacy.

How would I use this in a math classroom? If you are going to do it, tracking Flat Stanley's journey and calculating miles traveled could be interesting. Perhaps extending it to suppose that the student was going to take the trip themselves... how much would it cost? This is more geared toward late elementary grades / early middle grades, but could be an interesting cross curricular, cross cultural collaboration.

Redesign!

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 01:35:00 +0000

Redesign is probably too strong of a term. I added a row of tabs! This will help keep things better organized the math projects by content and make it more easily searchable. Not that you wouldn't want to re-read every single entry -- well actually no human would ever want to do that.

Cool Website Spotlight -- iEARN

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:00:00 +0000

With the click of a mouse students can interact with a classroom on the other side of the world. With a simple Facebook friend search, anyone can connect with people from every country on the planet. We live in an era of ubiquitous opportunities to collaborate globally -- the challenge is actually doing it. Schools desire for students to learn more about the world than just a culture’s food, landmarks and holidays. Though the experience will differ greatly for each student, a typical K-12 Education may involve more orientalist viewpoints influenced by western culture. This is a by-product of community values, teacher education, time and resources, improvement can be made in all areas.

www.iearn.org

iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is one of the largest global collaboration networks that is specifically designed for students and teachers. More than 130 countries and over 30,000 schools are connected with each other through this online platform. According to their website they estimate that 2,000,000 students each day are engaged in collaboration projects. These projects are hosted and promoted through iEARN and allows students and teachers to engage in the same work while in different parts of the world. In my opinion, the projects that are developed on iEARN are more geared toward young grade levels and the humanities. They foster classroom connections for things such as student art exchanges, poetry sharing and community gardening. IEARN is also geared toward professionally developing teachers who wish to integrate online work in their classroom. Through online workshops teachers develop capacity to engage in global collaboration opportunities while improve their own personal global competence.

How would I use this in my math classroom? Connecting with a math teacher around the world is a very cool idea and I'm exploring how it could be useful in a team teaching model. I believe there is also value in students seeing that similar concepts are taught all around the world.

Design a Zoo -- Integrated Geometry Area & Perimeter Project

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 01:14:00 +0000

While your Justin Beiber lovers may not be willing to admit it... they like doing assignments with ostriches on them. It's just a fact. In this 21st Century Math Project, students will plan and accommodate animals from all around the world. Turn your 7th period into a zoo.

Studies show increased engagement in math when ostriches are involved.

Name: Design a Zoo

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Geometry skills)

Math Concepts: Area, Perimeter, Irregular Figures, Apothems, Scale, Basic Algebra Skills

Interdisciplinary Connections: Design Planning, Zoo Stuff, Architecture.

Teaching Duration: 3-4 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 27 Page PDF (1 project, 2 assignment and answer keys)

Design a Zoo @ TPT

The Product: Students use a budget to purchase animals and architecture with the goal of building the zoo that can create the most revenue.

I have well-fed pet meerkats in
my basement

Not going to lie. I indulged myself on this project. My 3 year old son loves going to the zoo. My 1 year old daughter would love going to the zoo if she realized she were at the zoo. But the secret is Mommy and Daddy love going to the zoo. Luckily we live next to like the 2nd best zoo in America -- the Columbus Zoo.

At our zoo, the exhibits are so wonderfully accommodating for the animals. Others we have been to feel like the animals are packed in so tight they are sitting on my lap. While some may prefer it, I'd like my zoo animals to be able to turn around. Naturally the idea of area and perimeter fit perfectly with this idea. Sprinkle a little Zoo Swagg and hopefully this is a project that middle schoolers and high schoolers alike will enjoy.

Please tell me that assignment with the
buffalo on it has some geometry in it.
Answer: OODLES AND OODLES!

I choose to focus on unique shapes, regular polygons with apothems and irregular figures, students determine which exhibits fit which animals needs. Of course with irregular figures their will be needs for the practice with rectangles and circles, but in my experience these are done to death.

The assignments break down like this:

- In “Animal Wrangling” students will use area and perimeter skills to meet the different needs of different animals.

- In “Cage Match” students will determine the size of potential exhibits that which includes a basic shapes, regular polygons with apothems, and irregular figures. Which animal best fits in each exhibit? They will calculate and figure it out!

- In “Design a Zoo” students will dive in completely where they will work with a budget of $2,000,000 to select animals and build appropriate exhibits. A little algebra required.

- In "Zoo: Year 1" students will calculate how their choices led to profit. Tally up the student who has the most cash on hand to figure out a winner!

EXTENSION: Expanding the scale of the property can allow students to go crazy and build massive zoos. They will be somewhat limited in this assignment with space (intentionally so), but they may enjoy going farther with it! If you have an old copy of the PC game Zoo Tycoon they might enjoy it!

Lions, Tigers, Bears and 21st Century Math Projects. Math it up. Keep it real. Peace!

The Game of Life -- Financial Literacy -- Real World Math Project

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 01:04:00 +0000

A pure real world 21st Century Math Project that can work for a lot of different ages! Real world math projects are one of the most sought after resources. In my opinion, most everything I do is a real world math projects, but when most teachers want a REAL WORLD MATH PROJECT they are looking for something like this. So of course I had to do it, right?

Keep it as real... as possible.

Name: The Game of Life

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Basic math skills)

Math Concepts: Basic Operations, Percents, Order of Operations

Interdisciplinary Connections: Budgets, Finances, Taxes, Monthly Payments, ummm. LIFE!

Teaching Duration: 5-10 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $8 for a 61 Page PDF (1 project, 3 assignment and handouts)

The Game of Life @ TPT

The Product: Students are given a career and create a budget and make many financial choices along the way. "5 years later", they'll see if they are still standing.

Alright, money, real stuff, I dig.

When are we ever going to use this. While some math teachers are perfectly comfortable espousing all of the interdisciplinary connections and are able to articulate which professionals authentically use the topic they are teaching, there are many others who just want to say... uhhhh.... YOU JUST DO!

Keeping it real, the average person isn't going to run into systems of inequalities very often, but they will certainly need to have mastered those basic operations! Percents and data analysis will also come into play nearly every day, but any time you see, touch, taste or smell money... they are sensing the jedi powers of math.

Apparently it took an economic crash for our country to realize 90% of people have a hard time managing their money. So what do you do? Mandate a Financial Literacy component for every graduate! If you are the lucky math teacher that this got passed to, this might be for you .

Budget? Is that a candy bar?

I've tried to make the most awesome real world math project ever created. While I'm not sure I reached those heights (it's the thought that counts, right?) I've made something pretty cool. [Hey Reader, go to TPT and download the preview, you can see pretty much everything]. Housing, transportation, food, savings, debts, extras, donations, having babies, getting married, accidents, it's all here! I'm pretty sure my brother and I played one too many games on our Life board game.

Of course, we don't jump right into the game first. I have designed three assignments that intend to build the skill necessary to survive in the real world!

Here's pretty much the breakdown.

In “Bookkeeping Basics” students analyze the spending of different individuals and determine whether or not they have the available funds necessary to purchase an item they would like. “Can I afford this?”

In “Budget Busters” this assignment asks students to analyze the budgets and actual spending of different individuals. Are they spending within their budget? More they can analyze a budget, students will need to determine net pay after calculating their taxes. Students will need to translate between percents, fractions and decimals.

Can't you just do some drill and kill?!
Answer - "Um never".

In “Monthly Payment 101”, this assignment asks students to calculate monthly payments of different loans. Students will also be asked to choose between different loans.

and this leads to the mega project --

The [simulated] Game of Life. This project is multi-faceted, but you can modify (shorten as desired).

Students will choose between 54 career cutouts which starts them off with an annual income, income tax rate, debt and savings account.

With this information students will…

Consolidate their Debt. Students will choose a single loan to pay it back. They need to be careful what they pick because they don’t want to have a monthly payment they can’t afford.

Once they have their loan’s monthly payment information they will…

Complete a Budget. They will calculate their Net Monthly Income and Create a Budget for their spending.

With their budget set, it is time to make…

Choices! They will select a plan for housing, utilities, phone, food, transportation, savings and extras. They need to be sure not to spend too much money. (All data is included).

Once they are done with these tasks, they will put your choices to the test. They will complete SIMULATED YEARS.

You will give students an Update (30 included) which will change information regarding their employment, family changes and unforeseen obstacles!

Students may get married or have children. If they get married, they need to find someone else in the class that also got married and POOF they are now partners on this project. They are married. If for instance, on their next update, they get divorced, they need to split their savings and move on.

Students will then reassess their finances, re-evaluate choices and complete their Year 2 (or 3 or 4 or 5) assignment.

EXTENSION: There's some pretty neat Financial Literacy software popping up online, but most of them are pay sites.

Celebrate Congressional legislation with a 21st Century Math Project! If this is interesting I can do some more financial literacy stuff.

Carbon Footprint -- Environment Focused STEM Project

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:12:00 +0000

Bring an authentic environment-based 21st Century Math Project to your Algebra classroom with Multi-step inequalities! Help student understand why we are still getting blizzards in the spring!

Paint your classroom green! Figuritively. Don't literally paint anything

Name: Carbon Footprint

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra 1, skills)

Math Concepts: Multi-step Inequalities, Unit Conversion, Multiple Representations

Interdisciplinary Connections: Travel, Local Food, Carbon Emissions, Environmental Science

Teaching Duration: 2-4 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 27 Page PDF (1 project, 2 assignment and handouts)

Carbon Footprint @ TPT

The Product: Students complete an Amazing Race style challenge where they must finish a cross country trip and select choices that are within their carbon footprint, financial and time budgets!

Hey kid, all administrators drive Hummers.
It's required! No, I don't know about its
carbon footprint! Oh, really?!

While you may not raise sufficient capital to put a fleet of windmills in your school parking lot, you can still teaching some environmentally conscious mathematics!

In the 2000s, the Kyoto Protocol aimed to set goals for an individuals carbon emissions by country. The United States decided this wasn't something they wanted to be part of. When doing some inequality mathematics, you can quickly see how challenging this would be for an average, I like to drive my own car 30 miles a day and eat a hamburger for dinner type of person. Although students may not make an drastic life changes (maybe they will) it will at least be an assignment that ensures they at least see a link!

Although students will learn elements of carbon emissions, the lessons focus on creating and using multi-step inequalities to model situations and make decisions. With an increasing focus on environmental issues this explores a view on a science topic that students may never have been exposed to before.

You mean like I have a theoretical
footprint because I eat Hot Cheetos?

-- Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Students will write multistep inequalities to determine if individual’s daily transportation needs exceeds the CO2 emissions totals described in the Kyoto Protocol.

-- Well-Traveled Food. Students will use the Food Footprint Chart to complete this assignment which provides a look at food production and transportation emissions and the difference between local and traditional food sources.

which leads to the project --

-- the Amazing [more environmentally conscious] Race. Using a CO2 Emissions Per Activity chart, student will make travel and food choices on a cross country trip.

This is all great and everything,
but what could be do to take action
in our local community?

It doesn't take much looking to find this issue in the news in one shape or form and kids like travel and food maybe it's a great match for you!

EXTENSION: Student could certainly track their own Footprint over a 24 hour period. Other ideas could be things like a recycling club, a push for automated light switches, a student presentation to the school.

This 21st Century Math Project is endorsed by Polar Bears everywhere! Well that's an exaggeration, I've only asked the two at our zoo and I'm not sure if that's exactly a representative random sample since they were born in captivity.

Correlation All-Star -- Integrated Sports Project

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 11:52:00 +0000

Bring an authentic sports-based 21st Century Math Project to your Algebra, Algebra 2 or PreCalculus classroom with Lines of Best Fit and Correlations! In my opinion, correlations are the most under taught skill in all of high school math! I mean for a student to function in the real world, tell my 5 topics that are more important. Do it!

Stop watching March Madness on your phone and join the pros

Name: Correlation All-Star

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, PreCalculus skills)

Math Concepts: Scatterplots, Lines of Best Fit, Correlations

Interdisciplinary Connections: Sports and Finance

Teaching Duration: 4-5 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 42 Page PDF (1 project, 3 assignment and handouts)

Correlation All-Star @ TPT

The Product: Students do an in depth statistical analysis around the research question: "Can Money Buy Championships?"

Come over here and let me tell you
about when I saw Ralph Kiner score
the winning touchdown to win the
Stanley Cup!

Sports always seems to me to every math teachers go to engaging word problem. If it can be done with sports in it, then they'll like it. I always had a strange perspective on this because I loved sports -- but I knew who many of the people in my classes didn't. I always wondered how they felt during those problems.

What's a football?

So here we are my largest foray into an authentic sports project. I've tried to write this in such a way that it can be super engaging for young sports fans (and old teacher sports fans!), but the problems are rigorous enough that the math takes precedent. This unit is really meant to be taught with TI-Graphing Calculators or in a Computer Lab with Microsoft Excel so if a student isn't into the yucky sports stuff, then they can grab onto an engaging technology (Graphing Calculator Instruction are included!)

Depending on when you teach lines of best fit, this fits! It could work as an advanced Algebra 1 project (I love teaching regression in Algebra 1) or a warm-up project for Pre-Calculus. Wherever correlation coefficient belongs in your curriculum -- this can go there!
Using data from the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL students investigate correlations to some of sports most common questions like:

"Do more shots result in more goals?"
"Do hitters or pitchers have more impact on a team's wins?"
"What NFL stat is most strongly correlated with wins?"

and the grand-daddy...

"Can money buy championships?"

Those of you who work in small-markets, maybe a little surprised by the results. The assignments in this project, breakdown like this:

Hmm... could I use this type of math
when I'm doing research for my capstone
project? Oh great question, most definitely!

- In “He Shoots, He Scores!!!” students will construct scatterplots and draw lines of best fit. While using NHL shot and goal data.

- In “Offense or Defense” students will use TI Graphing Calculates to create scatterplots and determine lines of best fit and correlation coefficients using Runs Scored and Runs Allowed MLB data.

- In “Gridiron Challenge” students will look at NFL data to determine which statistics has the strongest correlation with winning.

-- AND FINALLY in “Can Money Buy Championships?” students will look at data from the four major American sports leagues to answer this inquiry question.

EXTENSION: You could encourage students to seek out their own data and figure out a correlation for themselves! You can open it up to the rest of the world of statistics -- poverty vs. education of women, ACT results vs. college GPA -- anything!

It seems around every corner there's a new STEM school popping up and 21st Century Math Projects can help! If this is interesting I've also integrated projects for an Egg Drop, Box Car Derby and Solar Oven.

Toothpick Bridge -- STEM Project

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:15:00 +0000

For another smooth integration for your science and math curriculum, this 21st Century Math Project intends to bridge that gap. Hahaha get it? Bridge the gap! And it's a project about Bridges! You get it? Contest style, students will try to build the strongest bridge as light as possible.

Name: Toothpick Bridge

Take that toothpick out of your mouth and build a bridge
with it!

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Geometry skills)

Math Concepts: Measurement, Shapes, Symmetry

Interdisciplinary Connections: Engineering, Science, Architecture

Teaching Duration: 4-5 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $3 for a 12 Page PDF (1 project, 1 assignment and handouts)

Toothpick Bridge @ TPT

The Product: Students create presentations regarding their design process and the links to geometry. Oh, and of course an awesome contest.

What's all that noise?! Student
Engagement?!! Bah!!

One of my favorite high school memories was doing this type of project in Physics. I seemed to have a glue problem -- meaning that I used WAY too much glue. I still contend that the bridge didn't break, but kind of folded. So while I certainly did not invent this project, I thought the applications to geometry were really strong. Each type of design has elements of geometry built in.

Break stuff? I'm in.

In this project, teams of up to three students will construct a bridge out of only toothpicks. This toothpick bridge must be able to hold a predetermined load without failing. Teams will research the style of bridges, create a three-view diagram of a bridge, build it, test it and complete a presentation about the project and its connection to geometry and the design process. The ultimate goal is to build a bridge that is strong, but is light as possible. The bridge with the greatest ratio of load weight to bridge weight will win the contest.

I limit students to only using flat toothpicks and Elmer's glue. I find the simpler, the easier.

As far as testing these bridges go some people like to stack free weights. In high school, I recall this falling on someone's foot so I didn't do this. I've seen a string connecting a bucket to a 2x4, but that would require having a drill press handy. I've chosen to write the project using a good ol' fashion bungee cord and a large bucket (think a 5 gallon paint can). I like to write these in a way anyone can pull them off with minimal complications.

Who needs a consultation?

In the bucket, I fill it with water and use a household scale to determine the winner. Of course, you'll need to borrow a gram scale to measure the weight of the bridge. While it is a little bit of hunting, the payoff promises to be a blast and one that high school students will not forget.

EXTENSION: You could attach a budget to this project! Maybe charging for toothpicks and cups of glue. Maybe charge for an engineering consultation. The possibilities are endless.

CSI: Geometry the Complete eBook now on TPT!

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 13:29:00 +0000

You wanna figure out this mess?!

Nothing like a good criminal investigation to liven up geometry!

CSI: Geometry-- the Complete eBook is a collection of nine different geometrically inspired mathematical puzzles with a little international pizazz. The nine puzzles intend to target specific Geometry units and add a little flair to the ordinary challenge question.

Name: CSI: Geometry the Complete eBook

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Geometry & Trigonometry skills)

Math Concepts: Geometry content (listed below)

Interdisciplinary Connections: Too many to list

Teaching Duration: 27-45 Days (or there ‘bouts)

Cost: $20 for an eBook with 9 separate CSI themed puzzles

CSI: Geometry the Complete eBook @ TPT

Is today Thursday or Monday?

The Product: Student conduct an investigation to determine who the criminal is in each case. Teachers have an option of having student present their evidence in front of a jury of their peers.

After finishing my CSI: Algebra eBook it was easy to see that a sequel had to be in the works. The eBook has been my most popular item by far and was getting super cool comments like

“Very engaging. Awesome with current pop culture references . Also; cultural references like currencies, places, famous individuals, etc. Lovely integration of the sciences and social studies into relevant Algebra problems."

“I am excited to try these with my Algebra students! I have tried one of them and got great results! Thank you!”

“Kids loved it!”

So I put on my STEM shoes, my International hat, and my Hollywood socks to work and went about creating 9 super-duper geometry projects. But here’s the problem, they are super-duper time consuming to make. I pick a chapter of topics from a textbook, find a world region that fits the themes from that chapter, research that world region for interesting authentic problem, create cool, interesting authentic problems (and my soul doesn’t allow me to duplicate problem types! They all have to be different), the puzzles have to solve to a cryptic text message, I have to draw funny faces and necessary sketches and then I have to write attempt-at-an-amusing criminal narrative to tie it all together and add swagg. BAAAAH!

Don't you have better things to do?
(Answer --Apparently not).

I mapped the puzzles to the curriculum in the widely used Glencoe Geometry, although in my experience most Geometry books have the same stuff. The way these projects work is that each puzzle has 6 “scenes” which will uncover a mystery variable. These six mystery variables will be used to decode a cryptic text message and if everything is correct, the result will match one of the six suspects.

Based on the experience in my own classroom, students are actively engaged in the puzzle solving element in my CSI assignments. Top students brighten up because it is “something different” and hard to motivate students will pick the pencil to give it a crack. These assignments are designed to be “math-first” projects. By that I mean, the Geometry skill is explicitly what the students are doing, the rest works as window dressing. In my career, I’ve found most math projects I’ve attempted from books are typically not mathematically rigorous enough and the math concept I intended to teach was lost. In my experience, students will complete interesting assignments and I’ve put a lot of sweat into making each of these puzzles interesting and fun.

Depending on the puzzle, you’ll find that some of the problems are hard. Some puzzles may depend on students doing 5-6 problems correct in a row. Lots of word problems. By design, I use a variety of levels of problems to keep a variety of learners engaged and challenged. If you use any of these assignments I strongly such that you help and hint, as you desire.

In this product you will receive ALL NINE different puzzles. I have created these puzzles to map the curriculum to nine different chapters of most Algebra 1 textbooks.

Unit 1: Shapes, Lines & Angles (South Africa): Distance and Midpoints, Segment Addition, Polygons, Writing Equations of Lines, Parallel Lines

Unit 2: Logic & Reasoning: Logic and Conjectures (France):, Compound Statements, Venn Diagrams, Deductive Reasoning

Unit 3: Triangles (the Caribbean): Triangle Classification, Interior and Exterior Angles, Triangle Congruence, the Centers of a Triangle

Unit 4: Proportions & Similarity (Canada): Ratios and Scale Factors, Similar Polygon, Parts of Similar Polygons

Unit 5: Trigonometry (India): Pythagorean Theorem, Special Right Triangles, Sine, Cosine & Tangent, Law of Sine & Cosine, Angles of Depression and Elevation

Unit 6: Circles (United Kingdom): Circumference, Radius, Diameter and Chords, Angles and Arcs, Tangents, Equations of Circles

Unit 7: Area (Chicago, USA): Calculating Areas of Polygons & Circles, Area Dissection, Area of Irregular Figures, Geometric Probability

Unit 8: Surface Area & Volume (the Mediterranean): Calculating Surface Area and Volume many figures, Nets, Congruent and Similar Solids

Unit 9: Transformations (South America): Translations, Rotations, Reflections, Dilations, Tessellations

If you are teaching Geometry and are looking for fun review activities and enrichment problems, I have you covered. Student Satisfaction Guaranteed or I'll give you your money back. Be the cool teacher :-)

Three New Person Puzzles!!

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:48:00 +0000

The popular Person Puzzle collection is growing at 21st Century Math Project! Middle School and High School Math Teachers rejoice! (or not)

Mixing History with Algebra Practice one person at a time!

Name: Person Puzzle -- Maya Angelou -- Solving Systems with Substitution

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra, Prealgebra skills)

Teaching Duration: 10-30 minutes

Cost: $0.75 for a 2 Page PDF (1 assignments and answer key)

Person Puzzle - Maya Angelou @ TPT

Name: Person Puzzle -- Aung Sang Suu Kyi -- Distribution

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra, Prealgebra skills)

Teaching Duration: 10-30 minutes

Cost: $0.75 for a 2 Page PDF (1 assignments and answer key)

Person Puzzle - Aung Sang Suu Kyi @ TPT

Name: Person Puzzle -- William Kamkwamba -- Solving Inequalities

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra, Prealgebra skills)

Teaching Duration: 10-30 minutes

Cost: $0.75 for a 2 Page PDF (1 assignments and answer key)

Person Puzzle - William Kamkwamba @ TPT

Maya Angelou, Aung Sang Suu Kyi and William Kamkwamba may live all over the world, but now they are forever together in this blog post! They join an already stellar cast of Person Puzzle People.

Umm.. I don't think so, and it's
a little weird to be talking about
this right now.

Did you sign up for this?

It's okay ladies, Person Puzzles are
pretty cool.

Super Sunday Sales Event

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 00:40:00 +0000

Since you likely have nothing better to do this Sunday night, you can browse and get discounted lesson plans on Teachers Pay Teachers sitewide! I already have a sale on everything 21st Century Math Project.

Don't forget the promo code!

CSI: Geometry is coming together!!

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:47:00 +0000

Feverishly writing and researching I've added quite a few products to the popular CSI collection! I still have a ways to go to publish a new eBook, but I do have 7 new Geometry puzzles. Learn some geometry while learning a bit about the world and crime scene investigation!

We start the adventure in South Africa home to the Vuvuzela and learn some of the Foundations of Geometry!

Students go to France to practice Deductive Reasoning Skills

then travel to the Caribbean for Triangle Practice

after a nice tan they go to Canada for some Similarity and Proportion problems

after a losing the nice tan they travel to India, one of the many home of Trigonometry

from there it is off to England to investigate their fascination with Circles

and most recently students will refine Area skills in the Second City, Chicago

Each of the puzzles have the same structure and can make some engaging learning that gets away from a drill and kill worksheet! Check out the previews on TPT you can see everything! Except the answer key (I think 2/3 of my blog traffic is students looking for answers to the projects :-)

Nelson Mandela -- Systems of Equations Person Puzzle

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:29:00 +0000

Back with more, we have the next 21st Century Math Project Algebra 1 puzzle the one and only, freedom fighter -- Nelson Mandela!

Eliminate Systems... while learning about eliminating systems!

Name: Person Puzzle -- Nelson Mandela

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra, Prealgebra skills)

Teaching Duration: 10-30 minutes

Cost: $0.75 for a 2 Page PDF (1 assignments and answer key)

Person Puzzle - Nelson Mandela @ TPT

Although seen by some as a controversial figure, nobody can deny the life story and work of one, Nelson Mandela. A beloved figure by many, Mandela is an individual that has certainly changed the world and now... he's in a Person Puzzle!!!

Hello, I'm a certified ninja
apartheid destroyer! And now
I'm a Person Puzzle. Learn about me

And do some systems of equations practice! It would work great in a middle school or high school class!

Person Puzzles -- Cesar Chavez -- Order of Operations

noreply@blogger.com (21st Century Math Projects) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:05:00 +0000

The most anxiously awaited 21st Century Math Project Algebra 1 puzzle unveiling of 2013! Come on down, Cesar Chavez!

Farm Workers of America, Unite!

Name: Person Puzzle -- Cesar Chavez

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra, Prealgebra skills)

Teaching Duration: 10-30 minutes

Cost: $0.75 for a 2 Page PDF (1 assignments and answer key)

Person Puzzle - Cesar Chavez @ TPT

Cesar Chavez is one of those recognizable names that people seem to know, but have no idea who he actually was. Help all of your student understand what it means to take a stand for what is right, how to take action on an issue, and represent their entire culture in the face of all adversity!

And do some order of operations practice! It would work great in a middle school or high school class (maybe even some smartie 5th graders).

I am Cesar Chavez and I approve this so
long as no human or animal rights were
violated in the process of making this
puzzle, I'm okay with it.