Check out this week's Lesson Collaboration Call + other upcoming events with Citizen Math teachers! Everyone is welcome.

Safely Rest (Updated!)

What should Arlington National Cemetery do about space?

Login to add lessons to your favorites

Safely Rest (Updated!)

What should Arlington National Cemetery do about space?

Login to add lessons to your favorites
Safely Rest - Student Handout.pdf
Safely Rest - Teacher Guide.pdf
Enter Teach Mode

2023-2024 Versions

In the fall of 2024, Citizen Math released updated versions of every lesson in our library, plus a few new ones! We know you may have already prepped an earlier version or planned a repeat of last year, so we're continuing to make these earlier versions available through Thursday December 5, 2024.

You can find the new lessons through the regular search, and we hope you love them as much as we do. You can read more about these updates in Our Community.

How should Arlington National Cemetery plan for its future? Established in 1864, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of American soldiers. Unfortunately, the Cemetery is running out of room, and there’s no simple solution for what it should do.

In this lesson, students write and solve linear equations to estimate when Arlington National Cemetery will reach capacity, evaluate various proposals to prolong its lifespan, and debate the best way for Arlington to honor soldiers and their families.

REAL WORLD TAKEAWAYS

  • Arlington National Cemetery is an important and historic burial ground for members of the U.S. Military.
  • In 2020, the cemetery was expected to run out of space within 20-30 years. In order to extend the cemetery’s ability to accept new burials, the U.S. government considered various proposals to expand the size of the cemetery and/or limit who could be buried there.

MATH OBJECTIVES

  • Interpret linear and non-linear graphs
  • Create tables, equations, and graphs to model linear relationships in the real-world
  • Solve systems of linear equations and interpret the meaning of the intersection in a real-world context
Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.
Grade 8
Solving Linear Equations
Grade 8
Solving Linear Equations
Content Standards 8.EE.7 Solve linear equations in one variable. (a) Give examples of linear equations in one variable with one solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solutions. Show which of these possibilities is the case by successively transforming the given equation into simpler forms, until an equivalent equation of the form x = a, a = a, or a = b results (where a and b are different numbers). (b) Solve linear equations with rational number coefficients, including equations whose solutions require expanding expressions using the distributive property and collecting like terms. 8.F.2 Compare properties of two functions each represented in a different way (algebraically, graphically, numerically in tables, or by verbal descriptions). For example, given a linear function represented by a table of values and a linear function represented by an algebraic expression, determine which function has the greater rate of change. 8.F.4 Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, and in terms of its graph or a table of values. 8.F.5 Describe qualitatively the functional relationship between two quantities by analyzing a graph (e.g., where the function is increasing or decreasing, linear or nonlinear). Sketch a graph that exhibits the qualitative features of a function that has been described verbally.
Mathematical Practices MP.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. MP.2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively. MP.3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. MP.4 Model with mathematics.

Other Grade 8 Lessons

Domino Effect (Updated!)

How much does Domino’s charge for pizza?

Grade 8
Writing Linear Equations
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

You're So Fined (Updated!)

How do municipal fines affect people with different incomes?

Grade 8
Solving Linear Systems
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

Square Dancing (Updated!)

What secrets are hidden in squares?

Grade 8
Squares, Roots, Irrationals
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

Sweet Tooth (Updated!)

How much Halloween candy should you eat?

Grade 8
Functions
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

Timber (Updated!)

What size tree should we use for lumber?

Grade 8
Cones, Cylinders, Spheres
Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.

Domino Effect (Updated!)

How much does Domino’s charge for pizza?

Grade 8
Writing Linear Equations
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

You're So Fined (Updated!)

How do municipal fines affect people with different incomes?

Grade 8
Solving Linear Systems
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

Square Dancing (Updated!)

What secrets are hidden in squares?

Grade 8
Squares, Roots, Irrationals
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

Sweet Tooth (Updated!)

How much Halloween candy should you eat?

Grade 8
Functions
Great anytime, including at the beginning of a unit before students have any formal introduction to the topic.

Timber (Updated!)

What size tree should we use for lumber?

Grade 8
Cones, Cylinders, Spheres
Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.