Giant clams are no myth. In New England, people love clam chowder, but in the Pacific, some of the clams are as big as a suitcase! In this video filmed in Micronesia, Jonathan goes in search of Giant Clams. These clams are so big that people used to think they caught people...and it almost looks like they could. It turns out that the real problem is that too many people are eating the clams. Please see the accompanying lesson plan for educational objectives, discussion points and classroom activities.

In the middle grades, students have lots of experience analyzing and comparing linear functions using graphs, tables, symbolic expressions, and verbal descriptions. In this task, students may choose a representation that suits them and then reason from within that representation.

In this task students use linear equations to solve a real world problem.

The purpose of the module, A Sense of Wonder, is to encourage students to use inquisitive and persistent behaviors as they wonder about their world. The module extends the strategies introduced in prekindergarten. These strategies include using questions to approach problems and identifying attributes to sort, classify, and make inferences. The attribute strategies serve as the foundation for subsequent Grade One and Grade Two Primary Talent Development (PTD) modules. This module is meant for all students. The classroom teacher should work with a specialist or special educator to find or develop alternate activities or resources for visually impaired students, where appropriate.

This curriculum overview provides teacher guidance in the use of the Georgia Dept. of Education Kindergarten Mathematics Units.
It contains information on classroom expectations, use of Number Talks, journals, 3-Act Tasks, and more.

Unit 1- Counting with Friends
OVERVIEW
In this unit, students will start kindergarten thinking of counting as a string of words, but then make a gradual transition to using counting as a tool for describing their world. They must construct the idea of counting using manipulatives and other resources to see the numbers visually (dot cards, tens frames). To count successfully, students must remember the rote counting sequence, assign one counting number to each object counted, and at the same time have a strategy for keeping track of what has already been
counted and what still needs to be counted. Only the counting sequence is a rote procedure. The meaning students attach to
counting is the key conceptual idea on which all other number concepts are developed. Students will develop successful and meaningful counting strategies as they practice counting and as they listen to and watch others count.

Comparing Numbers
Work with numbers 11-19 to gain foundations for place value.
For numbers 11 to19, Kindergarten students choose, combine, and apply strategies for answering
quantitative questions. This includes composing and decomposing numbers from 11 to 19 into ten ones and some further ones by writing and representing the numbers, counting and producing sets of given sizes, counting the number of objects in combined sets, or counting the number of objects that remain in a set after some are taken away. Objects, pictures, actions, and explanations are used to solve problems and represent thinking. Although CCGPS states, “Kindergarten students
should see addition and subtraction equations, and student writing of equations in kindergarten
is encouraged, but it is not required.” Please note: it is not until First Grade that “Understand the
meaning of the equal sign” is an expectation.
Mathematically proficient students might rely on using concrete objects or pictures to help conceptualize and solve a problem. While using objects to make sense of the quantities and relationships in problem situations, students thereby connect whether the answer makes sense through
comparisons and discussions. Using the mathematical language to verbalize their reasoning is an
important cognitive facet for establishing a strong place value foundation. The terms students should continue to use as they verbalize thinking are: join, add, separate, subtract, same amount as, equal, less, more, tens, and ones.

The purpose of this task is to give students practice in reading, analyzing, and constructing algebraic expressions, attending to the relationship between the form of an expression and the context from which it arises. The context here is intentionally thin; the point is not to provide a practical application to kitchen floors, but to give a framework that imbues the expressions with an external meaning.

Students use a LEGO® ball shooter to demonstrate and analyze the motion of a projectile through use of a line graph. This activity involves using a method of data organization and trend observation with respect to dynamic experimentation with a complex machine. Also, the topic of line data graphing is covered. The main objective is to introduce students graphs in terms of observing and demonstrating their usefulness in scientific and engineering inquiries. During the activity, students point out trends in the data and the overall relationship that can be deduced from plotting data derived from test trials with the ball shooter.

This is a version of the time-tested lab where students roll a ball off a table top and use kinematics in two dimensions to try to predict where the ball will land. While many versions of this lab have been previously published, in this version students determine the uncertainty of all measurements and uncertainty of their prediction. The techniques and vocabulary are consistent with the Introduction to Measurement packet.

Students use a microphone and Vernier LabQuest to record the sound of a finger-snap echo in a 1-2 meter cardboard tube. Students measure the time for the echo to return to the microphone, and measure the length of the tube. Using their measurements, students determine the speed of sound. While other authors have produced similar labs, this version includes uncertainty analysis consistent with effective measurement technique as presented in the module Measurement and Uncertainty.

Assignment that helps the student define functions and relations with their domains and ranges and identify the different representations for each. Includes examples and practice problems.

Learn about position, velocity and acceleration vectors. Move the ladybug by setting the position, velocity or acceleration, and see how the vectors change. Choose linear, circular or elliptical motion, and record and playback the motion to analyze the behavior.

Join the ladybug in an exploration of rotational motion. Rotate the merry-go-round to change its angle, or choose a constant angular velocity or angular acceleration. Explore how circular motion relates to the bug's x,y position, velocity, and acceleration using vectors or graphs.

The purpose of this task is to introduce students to exponential growth. While the context presents a classic example of exponential growth, it approaches it from a non-standard point of view. Instead of giving a starting value and asking for subsequent values, it gives an end value and asks about what happened in the past. The simple first question can generate a surprisingly lively discussion as students often think that the algae will grow linearly.

This word problems helps students learn to build the biggest three-digit number given any three numbers between 0 and 9 to use as digits.

In this activity, learners use a laser pointer and two small rotating mirrors to create a variety of fascinating patterns, which can be easily and dramatically projected on a wall or screen. In this version of the activity, learners use binder clips to build the base of the device. Educators can use a pre-assembled device for demonstration purposes or engage learners in the building process.

The learning of linear functions is pervasive in most algebra classrooms. Linear functions are vital in laying the foundation for understanding the concept of modeling. This unit gives students the opportunity to make use of linear models in order to make predictions based on real-world data, and see how engineers address incredible and important design challenges through the use of linear modeling. Student groups act as engineering teams by conducting experiments to collect data and model the relationship between the wall thickness of the latex tubes and their corresponding strength under pressure (to the point of explosion). Students learn to graph variables with linear relationships and use collected data from their designed experiment to make important decisions regarding the feasibility of hydraulic systems in hybrid vehicles and the necessary tube size to make it viable.

This example shows how Newton's laws of motion apply to aircraft carriers and introduces the lift equation: the amount of lift depends on the air density, the wind velocity, and the surface area of the wings. The problems stress the importance of units of measure. This resource is from PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science - a collection of brief examples created by scientists and engineers showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes have real world applications.