Math projects are an ideal way to consolidate learning. I recommend using them as an engaging activity AFTER skills have been learned rather than during learning. You will likely find that engagement is very high and that your students ask to do more of these!

There are many ways to use math projects in your classroom. Some of the most popular are:

• a small-group or pairs activity

• a guided math activity to allow you to see where your students are struggling

• a fun, rewarding way to engage your early finishers

• a low-prep, easy-to-implement activity for a substitute teacher

These activities can be used as a package, or in isolation. Add them to your Math centers, or print activities and put them into a booklet for your students.

This resource is included in PDF format for printing and in Google Slides™️ format for digital learning. This makes it useable with Google Classroom™️.

Take a look at what you’ll find inside this math project:

TASK #1: THIS JUST IN! NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

A few months ago, some lost sailors discovered Dinosaur Island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It had never been discovered before! Write an article for the local newspaper about the discovery.

This activity is intended as an “activation” activity to get students excited about this math project!

TASK#2: DINOSAUR ENCLOSURES

Since the dinosaurs were discovered, the island has been full of tourists and the dinosaurs’ home is being threatened. You will be building a sanctuary and dinosaur park to protect these beautiful creatures.

Skills: perimeter, area, multi-digit addition and multiplication

TASK #3: LET’S BUILD

Now that we have the layout of the pens made, it’s time to gather the building supplies.

Skills: money, multi-digit addition and multiplication

TASK#4: OPENING WEEKEND

Months have passed and the dinosaur park is ready to open! It’s going to be a busy weekend! Let’s work with ticket prices and revenue.

Skills: money, multi-digit multiplication and addition

TASK#5: CONCESSION STAND

Food stands are set up around the park. Let’s see what was sold this weekend at the Dino Burger Stand.

Skills: graphing and data interpretation, multi-digit multiplication

TASK #6: ALL ABOARD!

The Dino Train is one of the most exciting parts of the park. This train travels through the park, allowing visitors to get an up close view of the dinosaurs!

Skills: problem-solving, multi-digit operations

TASK #7: FUN FACTS

As the train drives around the park, there is a tour guide who tells the passengers all about the park and the dinosaurs. Let’s see what she has to say!

Skills: problem-solving, multi-digit operations

TASK #8: PARK PROBLEMS

Solving problems is part of any business or event, and Dinosaur Island is no exception!

Skills: problem-solving, multi-digit operations

TASK #9: SPECIALTY PACKAGES

You also offer a variety of specialty packages at the park. Let’s take a look at the different things that are offered and work with the revenue earned from each one.

Skills: money, multi-digit multiplication and addition

TASK #10: EMERGENCY!

Oh no! You thought this could never happen, but a t-rex has escaped its pen. You must get everyone to safety – fast!

Skills: problem-solving, multi-digit multiplication and subtraction

TASK #11: FEEDING TIME

Feeding time at the dinosaur park is a big job! Complete the chart to show the total amount of food eaten each day by the dinosaurs.

Skills: problem-solving, multi-digit multiplication

TASK #12: FIELD TRIP DAY

Field trip day at Dinosaur Island is a day reserved for school classes to come and tour the island! In this activity we will take a look at the morning and afternoon field trip groups.

Skills: problem-solving, multi-digit multiplication and addition

TASK #13: ONE YEAR LATER…

When you began creating the park at Dinosaur Island, you had big goals and dreams. Let’s check in to see how the first year went.

Skills: problem-solving, multi-digit multiplication and addition

ANSWER KEYS ARE INCLUDED TO MAKE SELF-CHECKING SIMPLE.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I use these math projects as Independent Math Goal options for my 6th graders (so all review skills). They love them. I like how they include a lot of different skills in a real-world way." Hone It Canada

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "My students really enjoyed the parts of this project that we got to. I changed the first task and, instead of writing an article, I had my students create a flyer for the park. They really enjoyed creating a flyer using the information from the tasks, and they got to look up dinosaurs! Win Win!" Eva M.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Wonderful group activity. Applied many math and practical skills. Allowed for so much creativity and cross curricular learning. This was done with a grade 5 gifted class." Stephanie D.