Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications, Second Edition offers an exciting collection of 60 hands-on projects to help students in grades 6--12 apply math concepts and skills to solving everyday, real-life problems! The book is filled with classroom-tested projects that emphasize: cooperative learning, group sharing, verbalizing concepts and ideas, efficient researching, and writing clearly in mathematics and across other subject areas. Each project achieves the goal of helping to build skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making, and supports an environment in which positive group dynamics flourish. Each of the projects follows the same proven format and includes instructions for the teacher, a Student Guide, and one or more reproducible datasheets and worksheets. They all include the elements needed for a successful individual or group learning experience. The projects are easily implemented and can stand alone, and they can be used with students of various grade levels and abilities. This thoroughly revised edition of the bestseller includes some new projects, as well as fresh information about technology-based and e-learning strategies and enhancements; No Child Left Behind standards; innovative teaching suggestions with activities, exercises, and standards-based objectives; reading and literacy connections; and guidelines and objectives for group and team-building projects. Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications is printed in a lay-flat format, for easy photocopying and to help you quickly find appropriate projects to meet the diverse needs of your students, and it includes a special Skills Index that identifies the skills emphasized in each project. This book will save you time and help you instill in your students a genuine appreciation for the world of mathematics. "The projects in this book will enable teachers to broaden their instructional program and provide their students with activities that require the application of math skills to solve real-life problems. This book will help students to realize the relevance and scope of mathematics in their lives." --Melissa Taylor, middle school mathematics teacher, Point Pleasant Borough, New Jersey

Table of Contents:
About the Authors v Acknowledgments xv About This Book xvi Alignment to National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards xvii How to Use This Resource xix Part One: Implementing Projects in the Math Class Chapter One: Overview of Projects in the Math Class 3 Your Role 3 Supporting the Standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 4 The Teacher’s Role During Math Projects 5 Strategies for Problem Solving 6 Problem-Solving Strategies 7 Helping Students Develop Problem-Solving Skills 8 Creating Your Own Projects 9 What It Takes to Become a Top Problem Solver 10 Sources for Developing Math Projects 11 Conclusion 12 Chapter Two: Managing Projects in Your Math Class 13 Structuring Your Class 13 Creating and Maintaining a Positive Environment 15 The Responsibilities of the Math Student 16 The Right Environment 17 Teaching Suggestions 18 Individual and Team Conferences 19 The Value of Cooperative Problem Solving 19 Organizing Teams 20 How to Set up Project Teams 21 Rules for Working in Math Teams 22 The Importance of Sharing 23 Writing in Math Class 24 Using Technology with Math Projects 24 The Writing Process and Math 25 Technology Training 27 Math Projects and the Internet 28 Conclusion 30 Chapter Three: Assessing Math Projects 31 Observation Logs 31 Individual Observation Log 32 Group Observation Log 33 Checklists 34 Possible Assessment Questions 35 Skills Checklist 36 Point Systems for Project Assessment 37 Evaluating Writing 37 Grading Projects Using a Point System 38 Suggestions for Grading Writing in Math Class 39 Self-Assessment 40 Conclusion 40 Student Self-Assessment 41 Teacher Self-Assessment 42 Part Two: The Projects Section One: Math and Science Project 1: The Benefits of Recycling 47 Student Guide 1.1, The Benefits of Recycling 50 Data Sheet 1.2, Some Facts About Recycling 52 Project 2: Endangered Species: Can They Be Saved? 53 Student Guide 2.1, Endangered Species: Can They Be Saved? 56 Data Sheet 2.2, Examples of Endangered Animals 58 Data Sheet 2.3, Some Facts About Endangered Species 59 Project 3: Charting Your Calories 60 Student Guide 3.1, Charting Your Calories 63 Worksheet 3.2, A Daily Calorie Chart 65 Project 4: How Many Calories Do You Burn Each Day? 66 Student Guide 4.1, How Many Calories Do You Burn Each Day? 69 Data Sheet 4.2, Caloric Expenditure and Physical Activities 71 Worksheet 4.3, A Daily Activity Chart 72 Project 5: It Is Only Natural 73 Student Guide 5.1, It Is Only Natural 76 Data Sheet 5.2, Math in Nature 77 Project 6: Designing a Flower Bed 78 Student Guide 6.1, Designing a Flower Bed 81 Data Sheet 6.2, Facts and Prices of Selected Plants 83 Worksheet 6.3, Centimeter Grid 85 Project 7: Buying a Class Aquarium 86 Student Guide 7.1, Buying a Class Aquarium 89 Data Sheet 7.2, Aquariums and Accessories 91 Project 8: The School’s New Lunch Program 92 Student Guide 8.1, The School’s New Lunch Program 95 Data Sheet 8.2, School Lunch Program 97 Worksheet 8.3, A Five-Day Menu 98 Project 9: What Is the Weather? 99 Student Guide 9.1, What Is the Weather? 102 Data Sheet 9.2, Weather Words 104 Project 10: A Flight to Mars 106 Student Guide 10.1, A Flight to Mars 109 Data Sheet 10.2, Information About the Red Planet 111 Section Two: Math and Social Studies Project 11: A Great Mathematician 115 Student Guide, 11.1, A Great Mathematician 118 Data Sheet 11.2, Math Greats 120 Project 12: An Election Poll 121 Student Guide 12.1, An Election Poll 125 Data Sheet 12.2, Poll Points 127 Project 13: Landmarks 129 Student Guide 13.1, Landmarks 132 Data Sheet 13.2, Steps to Enlarging a Pattern 134 Project 14: Creating a Scale Map 135 Student Guide 14.1, Creating a Scale Map 138 Data Sheet, 14.2, How to Make a Map 140 Project 15: A Game: What Date Is That? 141 Student Guide 15.1, A Game: What Date Is That? 144 Data Sheet, 15.2, Ancient Number Systems 146 Project 16: An Interview to Math’s Past 148 Student Guide 16.1, An Interview to Math’s Past 151 Data Sheet 16.2, Tips for Conducting Effective Interviews 153 Project 17: Rating Consumer Products 154 Student Guide 17.1, Rating Consumer Products 157 Data Sheet 17.2, Tips for Comparing Some Everyday Products 159 Project 18: Lands of Ethnic Origin: A Statistical Potpourri 160 Student Guide 18.1, Lands of Ethnic Origin: A Statistical Potpourri 163 Data Sheet 18.2, Tips for Creating a Country’s Fact Profile Sheet 164 Project 19: A Land of Immigrants 166 Student Guide 19.1, A Land of Immigrants 169 Data Sheet 19.2, Researching Immigration 170 Project 20: The Games People Play 171 Student Guide 20.1, The Games People Play 174 Data Sheet 20.2, Games from Around the World 176 Project 21: Back to the Past 177 Student Guide 21.1, Back to the Past 180 Data Sheet 21.2, An Outline to Organization 181 Section Three: Math and Language Project 22: Becoming the Experts 185 Student Guide 22.1, Becoming the Experts 188 Data Sheet 22.2, A Student Sample Lesson Plan Guide 190 Worksheet 22.3, A Sample Lesson Plan 191 Project 23: Great Debates 192 Student Guide 23.1, Great Debates 195 Data Sheet 23.2, An Informal Debate Structure 197 Project 24: The Mathematics Publishing Company 198 Student Guide 24.1, The Mathematics Publishing Company 201 Data Sheet 24.2, Possible Ideas for a Math Magazine 203 Project 25: Rating Math Web Sites 204 Student Guide 25.1, Rating Math Web Sites 206 Data Sheet 25.2, Tips for Rating Math Web Sites 208 Project 26: Fictional Numbers: Writing a Story 209 Student Guide 26.1, Fictional Numbers: Writing a Story 211 Data Sheet 26.2, A Revision Checklist for Stories 213 Project 27: A Mathematical Autobiography 214 Student Guide 27.1, A Mathematical Autobiography 217 Data Sheet 27.2, Organizing Your Autobiography 219 Project 28: Puzzling 220 Student Guide 28.1, Puzzling 223 Data Sheet 28.2, Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles 225 Project 29: Lending a Math Hand 228 Student Guide 29.1, Lending a Math Hand 231 Data Sheet 29.2, Creating a Math Booklet 233 Project 30: Sharing the Math Word 234 Student Guide 30.1, Sharing the Math Word 237 Data Sheet 30.2, A Sample Query Letter 239 Project 31: Keeping a Math Journal 240 Student Guide 31.1, Keeping a Math Journal 243 Data Sheet 31.2, Some Ideas for Math Journals 244 Project 32: Math Portfolios 245 Student Guide 32.1, Math Portfolios 248 Data Sheet 32.2, Portfolio Assessment Criteria 250 Section Four: Math and Art and Music Project 33: Making a Math Poster 253 Student Guide 33.1, Making a Math Poster 255 Data Sheet 33.2, Pointers About Posters 257 Project 34: Creating a Logo 258 Student Guide 34.1, Creating a Logo 261 Data Sheet 34.2, Creating an Effective Logo 263 Project 35: I Wanna Be Like Escher 264 Student Guide 35.1, I Wanna Be Like Escher 267 Data Sheet 35.2, Polygon Patterns 268 Data Sheet 35.3, Steps to Making an Escher-Like Drawing 269 Worksheet 35.4, Isometric Dot Paper 270 Project 36: The Plus and Minus Comic Strip 271 Student Guide 36.1, The Plus and Minus Comic Strip 274 Data Sheet 36.2, Comic Tips 276 Project 37: Numbers and Songs 277 Student Guide 37.1, Numbers and Songs 280 Data Sheet 37.2, Tips for Writing Lyrics and Music 282 Worksheet 37.3, Music Sheet 283 Project 38: The Math in Music 284 Student Guide 38.1, The Math in Music 286 Data Sheet 38.2, Tips for Essay Writing 287 Project 39: Making Three-Dimensional Octahedra and Classroom Decorations 288 Student Guide 39.1, Making Three-Dimensional Octahedra and Classroom Decorations 291 Data Sheet 39.2, Constructing a Three-Dimensional Octahedron 293 Project 40: Creating a Greeting Card for Math Awareness Month 294 Student Guide 40.1, Creating a Greeting Card for Math Awareness Month 297 Data Sheet 40.2, Tips for Creating Math Greeting Cards 299 Project 41: The Geometry and Art of Architecture 300 Student Guide 41.1, The Geometry and Art of Architecture 303 Data Sheet 41.2, Famous Architecture Around the World 305 Project 42: Designing a Quilt Pattern 307 Student Guide 42.1, Designing a Quilt Pattern 310 Data Sheet 42.2, Creating a One-Patch Quilt Design 312 Worksheet 42.3, Quilt Design 313 Section Five: Math and Sports and Recreation Project 43: Choosing a Membership Plan at a Health Club 317 Student Guide 43.1, Choosing a Membership Plan at a Health Club 320 Data Sheet 43.2, Power Health Club Membership Plans 322 Project 44: Equipment for the School’s Workout Room 323 Student Guide 44.1, Equipment for the School’s Workout Room 326 Data Sheet 44.2, The Cost of Exercising 328 Worksheet 44.3, Gym Equipment Order Form 330 Project 45: Comparing Sports Superstars 331 Student Guide 45.1, Comparing Sports Superstars 334 Worksheet 45.2, Sports Superstars 336 Project 46: Math and the Big Game 337 Student Guide 46.1, Math and the Big Game 340 Worksheet 46.2, Tracking the Stats 342 Project 47: Your Unique Exercise Program 343 Student Guide 47.1, Your Unique Exercise Program 346 Data Sheet 47.2, Your Training Range 349 Project 48: The Big Dance 351 Student Guide 48.1, The Big Dance 354 Data Sheet 48.2, The Costs of a Big Dance 356 Worksheet 48.3, The Big Dance Cost/Revenue Tally Sheet 357 Project 49: The Numbers Game 358 Student Guide 49.1, The Numbers Game 361 Worksheet 49.2, Number Phrases 362 Project 50: Planning a Sundae Party 365 Student Guide 50.1, Planning a Sundae Party 369 Data Sheet 50.2, Prices for a Sundae Party 371 Worksheet 50.3, Tallying the Costs of a Sundae Party 372 Project 51: Going on Vacation 373 Student Guide 51.1, Going on Vacation 376 Data Sheet 51.2, The Costs of a Great Vacation 378 Worksheet 51.3, Calculating Vacation Costs 379 Section Six: Math and Life Skills Project 52: Making a Budget 383 Student Guide 52.1, Making a Budget 386 Data Sheet 52.2, Tips for Making a Budget 388 Worksheet 52.3, Working on Your Budget 389 Project 53: A Floor Plan of My Room 390 Student Guide 53.1, A Floor Plan of My Room 393 Data Sheet 53.2, How to Measure a Room 395 Worksheet 53.3, A Grid for a Floor Plan 396 Project 54: The Costs of Pets 397 Student Guide 54.1, The Costs of Pets 400 Data Sheet 54.2, Cost Factors to Consider in Choosing a Pet 402 Project 55: Maintaining a Math Class Web Site 403 Student Guide 55.1, Maintaining a Math Class Web Site 407 Data Sheet 55.2, Tips for Building a Web Site 409 Project 56: Selecting a Sound System Using the Internet 410 Student Guide 56.1, Selecting a Sound System Using the Internet 413 Worksheet 56.2, The Best Sound System 414 Project 57: Buying a Car 415 Student Guide 57.1, Buying a Car 418 Data Sheet 57.2, Car Costs 420 Worksheet 57.3, A Car Buyer’s Cost Sheet 421 Project 58: What Is on the Test? 422 Student Guide 58.1, What Is on the Test? 425 Data Sheet 58.2, Elements of a Good Math Test 427 Project 59: Checks and Balances 428 Student Guide 59.1, Checks and Balances 431 Data Sheet 59.2, Keeping a Balanced Checking Account 433 Data Sheet 59.3, Debits, Credits, and ATMs 434 Worksheet 59.4, Practice Checks 435 Worksheet 59.5, A Check Register and Deposit Forms 436 Project 60: Math in My Life: An Assessment 437 Student Guide 60.1, Math in My Life: An Assessment 440