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  • Graphing Linear Function Using Slope-Intercept – Steps

    Graphing Linear Function Using Slope-Intercept – Steps

    This document walks students through the steps for plotting the y-intercept and then using run and rise to plot additional points to draw a line. The handout starts with a review of prerequisite skills of identify slope and intercept in the equation. Below are slides from a Google Slides version. Link to handout here. Link…

  • Intro to Writing Equations for Linear Functions – Pizza and Toppings

    Intro to Writing Equations for Linear Functions – Pizza and Toppings

    This approach make a connection between the table and graph with the equation. The relevant, real life context helps students.

  • Interpreting Scatter Plots Using Mileage and Price of Used Cars

    Interpreting Scatter Plots Using Mileage and Price of Used Cars

    Link to a brief video showing how it works. Link to a Facebook Reel showing how it works. Link to Jamboard

  • Intro to Graphing Linear Functions using Jamboard

    Intro to Graphing Linear Functions using Jamboard

    Graphing linear functions may be the most important topic in Algebra 1. While proportional reasoning is a prelude to functions, this is the first formally identified function presented to them. The graphing leads to slope and intercepts, beyond the entry point for graphical representations to functions. This post presents an activity that can serve as…

  • Intro to Intercepts Using Taco Bell

    Intro to Intercepts Using Taco Bell

    This post provides details for a discovery activity for intercepts. Students shop for tacos and burritos at Taco Bell. They are to find combinations of number of tacos and number of burritos. This will include no tacos or no burritos. The activity is provided on a Google Doc. Overview Student prior knowledge is leveraged to…

  • Word Problems with Unit Rates

    Word Problems with Unit Rates

    Word problems are challenging. In middle school and high school, word problems for proportional relationships and linear functions are particularly challenging. This post shows an visualization approach to unpacking the unit rate component of such word problems. Visualizing Unit Rate Below is an excerpt from a handout used to introduce such word problems. It starts…

  • Intro to Slope of a Line

    Intro to Slope of a Line

    Slope is one of the most important topics in algebra but perhaps one of the most challenging topics. One issue is that students often think of the formula as opposed to the idea of slope. The images shown below are for a handout that unpacks the idea or concept of slope. Handout The images show…

  • Introduction to Scatter Plots with Google Sheets

    Introduction to Scatter Plots with Google Sheets

    This post outlines an activity to introduce linear functions (or scatter plots). The students are tasked with shopping for a used car – a specific make and model. They go to Carmax.com to find mileage and price for 10 cars for sale. They have to find a make and model that has at least 10…

  • Intro Linear & Proportional Relationship

    Intro Linear & Proportional Relationship

    This post provides a handout to introduce linear functions and proportional relationships. Multiple instructional strategies are implemented. There is context that draws upon prior knowledge, scaffolding, and visual representations. Graph and table representations of the functions are used as an entry point, without the use of equations. Overview There is a difference between proportional relationships…

  • Intro to Linear Functions and Proportionality Equations Using Context, Tables, and Graphs.

    Intro to Linear Functions and Proportionality Equations Using Context, Tables, and Graphs.

    Here is a link to the handout. This approach uses the other representations to lead into the symbol representations – the equations. You can follow up by asking them the total for 0. This allows you to highlight the intercept.