Discovering+Slope-Intercept+Form

** Jenn Coulson **
 * Discovering Slope-Intercept Form **


 * Classroom: ** This activity is meant for an Algebra 1 class. It would best fit as an introduction to graphing equations in slope-intercept form.


 * Lesson: ** This lesson uses the aid of a graphing calculator website. It walks students through different types of graphs and asks them to make connections between the equation and the graph. See attached worksheet.


 * Graphing Calculator Website: ** []




 * Assessment: ** There are several different types of assessments that could be used. One is whether or not students have completed to work sheet. This activity could also lead to formative assessment through a discussion of how changing an equation changes the line that it produces. The discussion would be a great lead in to how to graph using slope-intercept form.


 * Reflection: ** I chose this activity as a visualization lesson plan because it allows students to discover some properties of linear equations which are represented in slope-intercept form. A traditional math curriculum would go right into how to graph an equation in slope-intercept form. Students are required to memorize the steps to graphing, and most traditional curriculums do not reinforce making connections between the equations and the graphs that they produce. I think having student’s graph the equations and analyze how changing the equation changes the graph, will help them internalize how slope intercept form works. I believe that this process will increase rigor because students are being prompted to form their own ideas about how the equations affect the graphs. After students start to form their own conjectures on the equations, then we can focus on the steps to graphing. And they can test to see if their conjectures hold true. This activity is not very relevant as it is; however, being that it is an introduction to the idea of slope, it could lead into many relevant problems.