Session I
Objective: Explain slope as the ratio of the vertical rise to the horizontal run between any two points on a line.
Play roller coaster video. (http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/algebra/roller_coasters/)
Relate slope to the movement of the roller coaster. Point out the change in the slope as the coaster climbs, descends, and travels parallel to the ground.
Read and discuss p. 221 in textbook with students.
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Objective: Given the graph of a line, label the slope as: positive, negative, zero, or undefined and describe the characteristics (line rises or falls from left to right on the coordinate plane, horizontal line, or vertical line).
Review examples and definitions on pp. 230-23 positive, negative, zero, and undefined slopes on a graph. Compare and contrast the graphs.
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Objective: Given two coordinates corresponding to points on a line, explain how you can tell if the slope of the line is zero or undefined.
Using only observations of graphs and T-Tables, lead students to correlate zero slopes with equal y-coordinates and undefined slopes with equal x-coordinates
Practice: p. 233 # 1-10. Use graph paper to sketch and answer problems 4-12.
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Session II
Objective: Given positive or negative, whole number coordinates of two points on a line, find the slope using the formula:
Guided practice: model the substitution of coordinates in the slope formula to calculate the slope for Example 2-5 on pp. 230-232.
Send students to break-out room in groups of two. Each group completes the Checkpoint problems corresponding to examples on pp. 230-232. Bring students back after 20 minutes. Divide whiteboard into 4 sections. Each group posts their solutions. Check and discuss discrepancies to check for student understanding.
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Objective: Find the equation of a line in slope intercept form: y = mx + b
Screen share the game Algebra vs. The Cockroaches (http://hotmath.com/hotmath_help/games/kp/kp_hotmath_sound.swf)
Display and explain the directions. Model game play, then ask students to provide slope and y-intercept values.
Students open game in separate browser and play for 15 minutes.
Assignment:
Students create a 4-question quiz that includes an answer key. Write one question that requires the test-taker to write the equation of a line in slope-intercept form and graph the line when given a pair of coordinates. Write one question for each type of slope discussed in class: positive, negative, zero, and undefined. Email questions and answer key to instructor.
Students will be assigned a partner to meet in a chat room. Partners work out each other’s problems, providing feedback and help as needed.
Each student writes a blog entry that includes: a reflection on the process used to develop the quiz including difficulties encountered, a difficulty rating for their quiz (1=easy, 2 =moderate difficulty, 3=hard), and a their partner’s ability to complete the quiz they wrote with no errors or assistance (Could their partner answer the question correctly? Where did (s)he get stuck? How did you help? Justify why you should/should not rewrite any questions based on the difficulty/ease experienced by your partner?)
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