Module 1: Preparing To Teach Proportional Reasoning

This teaching module introduces proportional reasoning in the classroom and its place in the Common Core Mathematics Standards, the related teacher resources available at the Scale City website, and what students should know and be able to do to understand proportional reasoning. Module 1 of Using Scale City to Teach Proportional Reasoning.

Module 2: Using Scale City To Teach Proportional Reasoning

This teaching module introduces you to the resources found in Scale City: The Road to Proportional Reasoning, including the mathematics explored in each module, descriptions of the videos, and tutorials for the Flash activities. Module 2 of Using Scale City to Teach Proportional Reasoning.

Module 3: Introduction to Scale City Learning Modules

This module includes videos of middle grades students tackling some of the problems in four of the Scale City modules. You will explore ways you might assess, support, and challenge your students as they learn about scale, scaling, and proportional reasoning. Module 3 of Using Scale City to Teach Proportional Reasoning.

10ths and Decimals

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad replaces a piece of track to get the Madre Bonita Express to the Mother's Day harvest.

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Firefighter Training

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Harry decides to train as a firefighter and uses line graphs to chart his physical fitness progress.  

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From Patterns of Input and Output to Algebraic Equations

Students explore the relationship between input and output values and learn to use algebraic expressions and equations.

Addition of Decimal Numbers and a Common Error

Students practice carefully lining up decimal places while calculating sums of decimals that total more than one.

Aiming For the Basketball Hall of Fame

In this video segment from TV 411, two Atlanta Hawks players plan a driving route to reach the Basketball Hall of Fame. They use map scales to estimate their travel distances.

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Amazing Chase

This video from WOUB Athens, presented as a parody of a popular TV network reality show, will help high school students review and prepare for the Ohio Graduation Test in Mathematics.

The Angle on Pool

Find out how angles and symmetry come into play in the game of pool in this video adapted from Annenberg Learner’s Learning Math: Measurement.

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Arrangement 1

The CyberSquad tries to figure out a table arrangement for 20 workers in this video from Cyberchase.

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Arrangement 2

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Matt tries for a second time to arrange tables and chairs to accomodate 20 workers.

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Arrangement 3

Matt’s third table arrangement helps fit all 20 workers at five tables in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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Attention to Scaling

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad adds a scale to their bar graph to give a more accurate picture of the bug infestation at the Cybrary.

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Average Practice Time

In this video segment from TV411, figure skaters compute their average daily practice time.

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Balancing Equations with Multiple Terms

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Digit and Inez must balance two number sentences to save the bunnies of Cyberspace.

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Balancing Number Sentences to Introduce Missing Values

Students learn about balancing equations and keeping an equation balanced by adding/subtracting the same amount to both sides of the equation. Students solve missing value problems and justify their solutions.

Basketball as a Context for Percentages

Students learn to associate simple fractions (25%, 50%, 75% as well as 20% and multiples) of wholes with equivalent percentages in the context of basketball scores and stadium capacity.

Bianca Gets a Present

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Bianca is babysitting two young girls on Halloween. When their mother is late, she has to take them trick-or-treating even though it is her birthday. To thank her, the girls combine their Halloween candy and then share it equally amongst themselves and Bianca.

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Bianca Gets in Gear

Bianca visits a bike shop and learns how bicycle gears work in this Cyberchase video segment.

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Bianca Goes to the Movie

This Cyberchase video segment features Bianca, who must figure out the fastest route to a movie premiere.

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Bianca the Spy

This video segment from Cyberchase introduces the idea of inverse operations as Bianca imagines herself as a spy.

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Body Matches

In this video from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad searches for a kidnapper using their only clues: a footprint and a handprint.

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Building a Fence

In this Cyberchase video segment, Harry must build a rectangular fence in his grandmother's backyard using fencing of various sizes.

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Building Venn Diagrams

Students utilize Venn diagrams in an introduction to prime numbers, prime factorization and determining least common multiple (LCM) and greatest common factor (GCF).  

A Cage to Save a Whale

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad must estimate the measurements of Spout the Whale in order to find a cage that will fit him. 

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Calculating Clones

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Inez and Lucky figure out how to keep track of the number of clones as they continue to multiply.

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Calculating Elapsed Time

Students practice the concept of time passage by counting, subtracting and regrouping in base 60.

Calculating Rectangular Area

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad measures Judge Trudy's land claim by using tarps, fence posts and a grid made with rope.

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Calculating Speed

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad calculates the speed of each broom.

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Catching a Kidnapper

The students learn about body matches and measuring one part of the body using another body part. They learn about non-standard measures and relative measurement.

Catching the Kidnapper

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad and Digit construct a physical profile of the person who kidnapped Choocroca, a giant cybercrocodile.

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Chess Wager

Harry and his friend make a wager on a game of chess in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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Choosing the Most Orange Crystal

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad must locate a crystal with the highest fraction of orange color.

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Comparing Fractions: Bubble Gum Blowing Contest

In this interactive activity adapted from Anneberg Learner’s Teaching Math Grades 3–5, compare fractions on number lines to determine which class of students wins bubble-gum-blowing contests.

Comparing Regular and Irregular Areas

The CyberSquad proves that the area of Hacker's land is equal to the area of Judge Trudy's land in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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Competing for the Northern Hemisphere Games

In this video from Cyberchase, Harry must score a total of 50 points in various events to qualify for the Northern Hemisphere games in New Orleans.

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Concentric Circles

In this video segment you’ll discover how using concentric circles can help you determine how much paint is needed to cover the deck of a carousel.

Cooking Contest

In this Cyberchase video segment, Matt uses subtraction to help Digit figure out how much time he has left in a cooking contest with Hacker.

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Counting and Place Value

Students explore counting through the concept of place value in our base-10 numeration system. They practice grouping in groups of ten and groups of ten tens.

Counting into the Ten-thousands

Students are introduced to place value into the 10,000s through the use of an abacus. They practice writing and recognizing large numbers.

Crack Hacker's Safe

In this Cyberchase interactive, select the color, number, and shape of the next term in the pattern.

Crack the Code

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad must get into a vault before Hacker, Buzz and Delete by cracking a code of shapes and numbers.

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Creating a Code

The CyberSquad communicates using a secret code in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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Creating Equal Shares

Students practice fractions by sharing certain numbers of objects among different numbers of people. They begin with unit fractions and move to sharing multiple objects among multiple people, in which a < b, and to produce fractions less than one.

Crumpets Recipe

In this Cyberchase video segment, Shari Spotter gets help from the CyberSquad in doubling a recipe for crumpets.

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Data Clusters and Distributions

Students learn about statistics through the use of surveys. They also learn to examine the shape of data including data clusters, the range, and typical values.

Decreasing Water Levels

The CyberSquad creates a line graph to help tell the story of the decreasing water levels in Sensible Flats in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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Defining, Describing and Calculating Rate

Students explore their prior knowledge of rate and extend it to create tables of values coordinating time and distance. They learn how to examine distance-time graphs and how to calculate unit rates.

Describing Range and Measures of Central Tendency in Shoe Sizes

Students are introduced to various measures of central tendency (range, mode, median, and mean) and they explore the advantages and disadvantages of each measure.

Determining Rates from Graphs

Students learn about and practice calculating rates (positive, negative and zero) using data from graphs.

Diagnosing Allergies through Data Collection

Students practice data collection by gathering data within the classroom on common causes of allergies. They examine and interpret data charts on national trends in allergies.

Digit in Pursuit

The CyberSquad tracks Digit’s position in time and then studies graphs to figure out what Hacker is scheming in this video from Cyberchase.

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Directions to Hen Rock

The CyberSquad has to deal with angles and distances to locate a treasure chest in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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Distance Difference

Using circumference, this segment measures the total distant traveled by two carousel riders after the carousel has rotated 10 times.

Earning 100 Snelfus

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad figures out how to earn 100 snelfus in 11 days.

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An Egyptian Clock

The CyberSquad must construct a clock of sorts in order to keep track of the amount of time they have to rescue Dr. Marbles in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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Elapsed Time and Scheduling

Students practice time management by making their own schedules. They learn to calculate elapsed time in both digital and analog formats.

Equal Amounts of Gold

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad helps Pan and Pin divide up 15 gold bars.

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Equivalent Fractions as a Means to Compare

Students learn to create equivalent fractions between fifths and tenths (and then some other denominations) as a means to compare fractions of like denominators.

Estimating Costs, Estimating Profits

Franklin works with Laverne to create a budget for a job painting a room, in this video segment from TV 411. 

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Estimating Distance and Time

Students learn to estimate the time it takes to travel different distances based on an estimation of the time it takes to travel a part of the whole route. This reinforces basic fractional/ratio thinking, as well as early multiplication as repeated addition.

Estimating Distance and Travel Time

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad estimates how much air supply they will need to complete an underwater mission.

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Estimating Greeting Card Sales

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Harry tries to calculate the total amount of money he has earned by selling greeting cards.

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Estimating Profit from a Job

Students learn about estimation and rounding and practice rounding with decimal points.

Estimating Time from Rate

Harry estimates how long it will take him to get to the front of a long ticket line in this Cyberchase video segment.

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Estimation

Students practice their estimation skills by estimating time and numbers of objects in situations in which counting is not feasible or necessary.

Exploring Number Patterns to Discover Common Factors

Students explore different repeating patterns to predict when two or more events will occur at the same time. They are encouraged to create patterns and draw conclusions.

Exponential Growth Introduced

Harry and his friend make a wager on a game of chess.

Factors, Arrays and Commutativity

Students look at different arrangements of desks, discuss the number of factor pairs and relate this to the commutative property of multiplication. They learn why they must try factors up to the square root of a number.

The Fastest Broom

The CyberSquad tests which broom can travel the furthest in five seconds in this video from Cyberchase.

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Feed That Dog

The CyberSquad solves the problem of giving equal parts of two apples to Cerberus, the three headed dog of Greek mythology, in this video from Cyberchase.

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Figuring Out Elapsed Time

In this video segment from Cyberchase, through addition and regrouping in base sixty, Matt helps Digit figure out what time his CyberSoufflé will be done.

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Filmmaking on a Budget

Students practice column addition in relation to budgets and are asked to create budgets that meet particular totals.

Film Shoot: Day 2

The CyberSquad reviews their budget for the second day of their film shoot in this video from Cyberchase.

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Film Shoot: Day 3

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad compares their budget with their actual spending from day three of their film shoot.

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Film Shoot: Day 4

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad figures out how to incorporate a new scene into their film while staying within their budget.

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Finding Averages as Means

Students explore the concept of "the mean" as they examine and compare scores for various sports events.

Finding Factors of 20

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad must figure out which numbers are factors of 20.

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Finding the Circle's Center

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad must find the exact center of a circle in order to save Motherboard.

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Finding the Common Beat

The CyberSquad figures out how to represent the patterns of music played by four instruments in this Cyberchase video segment.

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Finding the Intersection

In this Cyberchase video, Inez and Digit identify the location of the transformatron using their knowledge of parallel and intersecting lines.

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Finding the Right Combination of Clothes

In this video segment from Cyberchase, Harry has a fixed budget for clothing, so he must figure out what combination of jackets and pants he can buy with $100.

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Finding the Right Crystal

The CyberSquad has to find a crystal that is between 65% and 85% orange to power up their escape from Hacker in this video from Cyberchase.

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Find Those Gleamers

The CyberSquad uses algebra to figure out how many gleamers they need and how many power glows are produced by each gleamer as they must power up a Cyberspace ship in this video from Cyberchase.

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Fitness Evaluated Using Rate

Students study rate and learn to fill in missing values in order to keep a constant rate.  They also learn to distinguish graphs of rate versus time and graphs of quantity versus time.

Fixing the Teleporter–Part 2

The CyberSquad generates nine possibilities to solve a puzzle in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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Fixing the Teleporter–Part 1

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the Teleporter breaks and the CyberSquad must try to fix it using clues given to them by Ms. Fileshare.

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A Flooding Threat

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad uses a graph to estimate how much the water level will rise in the Sensible Flats reservoir.

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Force Field Combinations of Switches, Levers and Buttons

In this Cyberchase video segment, the CyberSquad finds the right combination switch, lever and button that will deactivate the force field protecting the stolen Black Crystal.

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Frog Hops, Part 1

The CyberSquad tries to figure out how Hacker’s cyberfrog moves when its various buttons are pressed, in this video from Cyberchase.

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Frog Hops, Part 2

In this video from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad must figure out the new input/output pattern on Hacker’s larger cyberfrog.

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Gears and Proportions

Students learn about proportions and ratios through learning about the gears on a bike.

Get Me to the Premiere on Time

Students solve simple speed and distance problems as a means to develop a generalization of the distance equation d=rt. Assessments examine whether students can solve equivalent forms of the equation for different variables.

Graphing Distance and Time: Travel

In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, students learn how to read and interpret a distance–time graph.

Graphing in Quadrant 1 in the Coordinate Plane

Students are introduced to graphing on the coordinate plane, in the first quadrant, using (x, y) coordinates.

Grubby's Wacky Worms

Wicked and Digit must solve a fraction problem in order to free the CyberSquad in this video from Cyberchase.

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Math in Special Effects

Using segments and web interactives from Get the Math, this self-paced lesson helps students see how Algebra I can be applied in special effects, challenging them to use algebraic concepts and reasoning to calculate lighting high-speed effects like explosions.

Hacker's Four-Zergen Game

In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad determines the fairness of a game in which there are three shapes distributed equally on nine squares.

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Harry's Allergy

Harry keeps track of the number of times he sneezes in certain locations to try to diagnose the cause of his allergy in this video segment from Cyberchase.

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