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Area Code Mathematics

Note: Due to the fast growth in area codes (new area codes being added monthly), this lesson is no longer valid as written. We have left the lesson intact because you might want to adapt it to create your own lesson based on area codes in use in your state or region.

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Subjects Mathematics Arithmetic Social Sciences Geography

Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Brief Description

Objectives

Keywords

Materials Needed

• Internet access or an area code map (or a transparency of an area code map and an overhead projector) from your local phone directory or from a Web page such as Area Codes Map or LincMad's 2001 Area Code Map)
• teacher-created, grade-appropriate math problems (either on work sheets or ready to read aloud)
• paper
• pens or pencils

Lesson Plan

• Grade 2 and up: What is the total of Idaho and North Dakota? (This problem requires no carrying: 208 + 701 = 909)
• Grade 3 and up: What is the total of western Nebraska and the area that includes Wichita, Kansas? (This problem requires simple carrying: 308 + 316 = 624)
• Grade 4 and up: What is the total of Alabama? (256 + 205 + 334 + 251 = 1,046)
• Grade 5 and up: What is the difference between western Colorado and northernmost Arizona? (970 - 928 = 42)
• Grade 6 and up: Which state multiplied times 2 equals Vermont? (Vermont is area code 802; Rhode Island is area code 401. 401 x 2 = 802)

Assessment

Students correctly solve 75 percent of the problems.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Gary Hopkins

National Standards

Mathematics:
NM.K-4.1
NM.K-4.7
NM.5-8.1
NM.5-8.7
NM.9-12.1
NM.9-12.5

Geography:
NSS.G.K-12.1

Return to Phone Book Math.

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