Project M³ Curriculum Units — Level 3-4

In each unit of the Project M3 series, students explore an interesting simulated or real-life problem connected to their world and use their Mathematician’s Journals to think, write, and act like mathematicians to solve the problem.

» Unraveling the Mystery of the MoLi Stone: Place Value and Numeration
In this unit, Unraveling the Mystery of the MoLi Stone, students explore our numeration system in depth.

» How Big Is Big? Understanding and Using Large Numbers
In this unit students are introduced to large numbers up to 1,000,000 using a variety of models. They learn how to read and write large numbers, extend their understanding of place value up to 1,000,000, order numbers and compare their size. Next they work with operations using large numbers and look for patterns as they explore palindromes, complex multiplication problems and investigate real-world Fermi problems.

» Factors, Multiples and Leftovers: Linking Multiplication and Division
This unit focuses on the development of students’ multiplicative reasoning power. With an emphasis on a deeper understanding of multiplication and division, students encounter a range of different problem situations and learn about the relationship between multiplication and division and the properties associated with these operations.

» Awesome Algebra: Looking for Patterns and Generalizations
In this unit students are encouraged to study patterns and determine how they change, how they can be extended or repeated, and/or how they grow. They then move beyond this to organize the information systematically and analyze it to develop generalizations about mathematical relationships in the patterns.

» In Search of the Yeti: Measuring Up, Down and All Around
In this unit on measurement, students are actively engaged in the measurement process and connect it to their own personal worlds.

» Digging for Data: Collecting, Displaying and Analyzing Data
In this unit, students explore the world of the research scientist and learn how gathering, representing, and analyzing data are the essence of good research.