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About Time

How has the pace of human innovation changed over time?

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About Time

How has the pace of human innovation changed over time?

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About Time - Student Handout.pdf
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About Time - Teacher Guide.pdf
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How has the pace of human innovation changed over time? It took 260,000 years for humans to go from the spear to the bow-and-arrow, but only 42,000 years to go from the bow-and-arrow to the atomic bomb.

Students order and subtract integers to explore major milestones in human history and debate whether humans are innovating faster than we can keep up with the consequences.

REAL WORLD TAKEAWAYS

  • Humans have been making technological innovations throughout history – in communication, in travel, in warfare. Over time, advancements from one milestone to the next have come more and more quickly.
  • Future innovations – like those of the past – will likely offer convenience and meaningful enhancements to our lives; they may also come with serious dangers. It’s important for society to anticipate, consider, and discuss these impending risks.

MATH OBJECTIVES

  • Model “before zero” years using negative integers
  • Order and position positive and negative integers on a number line
  • Find the difference between integers, including negatives
Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.
Grade 7
Rational Numbers
Grade 7
Rational Numbers
Content Standards
Mathematical Practices

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Big Foot Conspiracy

Should people with small feet pay less for shoes?

Grade 7
Ratios & Proportions
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

Common Cents

Should the U.S. get rid of the penny?

Grade 7
Rational Numbers
Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.

To Have and to Hold

Is it a good idea to rent a storage unit?

Grade 7
Equations & Expressions
Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.

Axle Roads

How do vehicles turn so smoothly?

Grade 7
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Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.

Grading Scales of Justice

How should students be graded?

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Percents & Proportions
Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.