West Contra Costa Unified School District
Evaluating Functions Graphically and Algebraically
High schoolers evaluate functions graphically and algebraically. After completing that step, they write a statement describing the input and output.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Evaluating Functions
Functions as inputs for other functions? After reviewing function notation and how to input values to evaluate functions, class members input functions into functions, essentially determining the composition of functions.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Exploring Quadratics and Graphs
Young mathematicians first graph a series of quadratic equations, and then investigate how various parts of the equation change the graph of the function in a predictable way.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Multiple Representations of Equations
class members first work through finding the equation, table of values, graph, and key features of a linear function expressed verbally. Individuals then work through several more problems given different representations.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Correlation and Line of Best Fit
Computers are useful for more than just surfing the Internet. Pupils first investigate scatter plots and estimate correlation coefficients. Next, they use Microsoft Excel to create scatter plots and determine correlation coefficients and...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Multiplying Binomials and Factoring Trinomials
Two lessons for the price of one! Learners use algebra tiles to multiply binomials in the first lesson, Next, they use their knowledge from the first lesson to factor trinomials into two binomials.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Connecting Arithmetic Sequences to Linear Equations
Common difference is to arithmetic sequences as what is to linear equations? (Answer: slope) Pupils learn how arithmetic sequences can be considered as linear patterns. They then write linear equations to represent arithmetic sequences...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Talking About Distance, Rate and Time
Connect the tortoise and the hare fable to mathematics. Learners first identify key terms related to distance, rate, and time. They then solve distance/rate/time problems using different representations.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Polynomial Division
Multiply the ways your scholars can find the quotient with polynomial division. A lesson introduces polynomial division via long division, synthetic division, generic area model, and using the definition of division. Learners then...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Law of Sines
One must obey the sine laws. A lesson plan introduces and derives the Law of Sines for non-right triangles. With examples that use the Law of Sines to determine unknown measures in triangles, the lesson plan checks to see if the Law of...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Interest and the Number e
Mary, Mary, quite continuously, how does your money grow? Uses examples to examine the difference between simple interest and compound interest, and to take a look at different rates of compounding. Learners explore what would happen as...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Indefinite Integrals
The inverse of matter is anti-matter, so the inverse of a derivative is an antiderivative. The lesson introduces antiderivatives and indefinite integrals to the class along with the notation for integrals. Groups work together to find...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Using Derivatives to Graph Polynomials
You can learn to graph as well as a calculator using calculus. The lesson introduces using derivatives to find critical points needed to graph polynomials. Pupils learn to find local maximums and minimums and intervals of increase and...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
The Extreme Value Theorem
Finding the critical numbers of a function can be extreme. The activity introduces the Extreme Value Theorem to the class with a graph. Pupils then have an opportunity to practice determining the values using an algebraic function.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Sneaking Up on Slope
Pupils determine the pattern in collinear points in order to determine the next point in a sequence. Using the definition of slope, they practice using the slope formula, and finish the activity with three different ways to determine the...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Using Bar Models to Solve Rate Problems
Pupils visualize distance-rate-time problems by using bar models. The lesson plan presents examples of four different types of rate problems and shows how they can be solved using bar models and equations. Each example is followed by a...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Families of Functions Sort
Have some fun with functions with a short activity that asks learners to first sort scatter plot in terms of their correlation. They then sort graphs of different types of functions in terms of key features, such as slope.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Comparing Linear and Quadratic Functions
If a linear function and a quadratic function enter a boxing match, which one would win? Learners first review how to find key features of linear and quadratic functions. Next, they compare key features of pairs of functions.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Average Rate of Change
Learners investigate average rates of change for linear functions and connect the concept to slope. They then determine average rates of change in quadratic and exponential functions.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Motion Problems
Let's hope class participants don't get motion sickness. In the lesson, class members first solve motion problems using tables and graphs. They then use algebraic techniques to solve motion problems.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Introduction to Solving Linear Inequalities in One Variable
Life isn't fair ... like inequalities. After first reviewing inequality symbols and how to read inequality statements, learners discover how to solve one-step inequalities and graph their solution sets.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Graphing Piecewise Functions
Step up to learn about step functions. The lesson, designed for high schoolers, first covers piecewise functions and how to draw their graphs. It then introduces step functions, including the greatest integer (floor) and ceiling functions.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Graphing Linear Inequalities Sort
Learners first determine the slope-intercept and standard forms of inequalities given graphs, and then determine key features of the graphs.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Particle Motion
Derivatives are useful for many things — they can even keep track of particle motion. An informative lesson plan provides an introduction to the idea of the second derivative in particle motion. Class members determine the velocity...