Achoo... the Tissue Box Project!

Last year, a colleague shared a project she did at the beginning of the year using a tissue box and covering some basic math functions. I decided to turn it in to a cumulative project of basic algebraic functions and a little math trivia.

It includes a linear function, quadratic function and exponential function. I developed coordinate grids for each problem set so the students could see and compare the graph behavior.

I created 22 problem sets and will share them all with you (see the link below). 

After the initial instruction, I discovered that they really benefitted from a template so that they had all the information ready to design their box. I added this to the back of the rubric.

Many students cut the tables out to use on their box so you might want some extras!

Here is my sample:

Here are a couple of videos of the process with the students:

For virtual students, I adapted the project to a presentation. I allowed students to use Graphfree.com to create the graphs. I love Graphfree.com here is a short video on how the students can use it for the project or for you to check it out!

I had some wonderful submissions as well! And even used a student one for a sample (mine is the minimum though- his was way better). I'll include it in my resources. 

You could, of course, make them all a presentation but this year has been very sparse on hands on and they really need it sometimes. I wish you could see the painstaking way they spend so much time gluing their beads or chenille sticks on. It is magical. It does take it's toll on the teacher. Lot's of sanitizing and cleaning but the creative outlet for my students is worth every wipe and bend to pick up.

Lastly, let's talk fonts! I have a problem, I'm a font girl. I will redo entire activities with a different font that I like better! As a result, most things I create have different fonts. For this one, I used KG Payphone which you can get for free here on Dafont.com. I have provided both PDF and Word Documents so you might want to download if you don't want to mess with formatting!

Get all my project resources for FREE here!

As always, please let me know if you see any typos or mistakes! 

Enjoy!

Lisa

Expo FUN! Exponential Function Graphing with Harry and the Horcrux

I often ask myself, why can't I just use what I have? Because I'm a 'puppy at the park' according to Girl's Who Code author Reshma Saujani. I get soooo excited over something new and especially when it can be themed.

Enter Harry's Horcrux Quandary!

I needed a Exponential Functions Graphing Activity and always love when there is instant assessment. Graph across the Horcrux, Harry Finds it! Get my notes and PPT here for free.

I just couldn't resist. I love the graph across a picture assignments so students know immediately if they did it correctly. 

There are 5 problems with no transformations as that what out standards expect. But you can edit to fit your needs. I always provide the PDF and Word document. 

I also included my editable word document with the graph template in case you need to adjust.

The font I used is Harry P and available for FREE on dafont.com here!

Download all me resources for FREE HERE!

Hope you can help Harry find the remaining Horcrux!

Enjoy!

Lisa

Exponential vs. Linear Growth Project

Would you rather have $10000 a day or start with a quarter and have it double every day?  

This is the essence of this project for students.  I have done it in both Algebra 1 and Math Models.  I have the 4 most common coin denominations, penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.  Students are first supposed to pick a scenario and tell me why.  They then do the math!

I set it up for 21 days as we use TI-84 graphing calculators and I wanted them to be able to view the tables without dealing with Scientific Notation.  One of our state standards is to compare and identify exponential and linear functions which this project accomplishes.  

On the back of the sheet is a detailed Rubric as well.

We have used this as an activity and a major grade.  The rubric is required for the major grade in our school so you might not need it.

I also make them present the project in front of the class.  Here is my teacher rubric for the presentations.

This year, all students were complete with their math and graphs, ready to start their poster on the 2nd day.  I will have them present the 3rd day.

I also provided them a graph template and gave each group 2, one for each scenario.  This seemed to help as well make a more clean presentation.  

The right hand scenario is based on a Fermi question and they get that amount on the 21st day, therefore you do not add the prior day amount on either scenario.  It's really just to have them apply exponential and linear functions and compare.

This did come at the end of my Exponential Function Unit and they have already done regression in the calculator.

Both years, the students seemed to enjoy this and usually fed into the logic of it by choosing the first scenario.  You, of course, could edit and change the amounts to reflect what you want them to achieve. 

Download all resources here for FREE in Word and PDF.  In the Word version, I used my favorite font, Janda Curlygirl!  You can download it for free here.

Hope you and your students enjoy!

Thanks,
Lisa

Exponential FUNctions - Graphing

And today.... we graphed!  Below are the fabulous notes I received from my colleague, Mrs. Villarreal.  

I, of course, had to 'font' them up and fit them to my students needs with fill-in-the-blank and interactive notebook grid lines.

These are the finished ones.  I must place a disclaimer here: this is only the third time I have taught these.  In order to even learn them (as I had not done them in 20 years) I used these incredible resources I found on the internet by following along on this link.  Pretty sure I could not have done it as proficiently (or even 'ficiently') without these resources!  I wrote more about it on my earlier blog post here.

Download all the notes in both Word and PDF here for FREE!

I followed this up with another activity from Algebra Accents available on Teachers Pay Teachers:

$3 and it saved me about 4 hours of planning and manipulating!  Completely worth it!  The graphs were beautiful.  I know that a lot of blogs share free resources and that is generally what I do with mine.  I usually create activities that save me that $2 or $3 only to realize it takes hours sometimes away from my family.  This unit, I've used a lot of paid resources and as a result, I've been able to spend extra time at home and planning for my class.  Money well spent in my opinion.  Only took me 17 years of teaching to figure this out!  And this blog has helped me to appreciate the time that goes into creating activities like these! 

Another fabulous option that I completely forgot about until this writing was this one:

And the icing on the cake?  It's FREE on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Simply click the picture above to be taken to this incredible FREE resources from Lisa Tilmon!!!

In years prior, we used this note sheet for our 3rd day of Exponential Functions.  This was after graphing and regression lessons and assignments from this link. 

                             Download these in both Word and PDF here for FREE!


As always, please let me know if you have anything to add or see any needed corrections!

Thanks!
Lisa

Exponential FUNctions - Growth and Decay

Today we started exponential functions and I thought I'd share my notes, activity and next day warm-up with you.

I would like to preface this post with today is the Monday after Spring Break, most students (and teachers :-) ) seemed to have forgotten the basics.  

Student: How do I know if it is growth or decay?  
Me: What does the problem say?
Student:  Well it's increasing...
Me: Both inwardly and verbally... **Sigh**

This is how my whole day went but luckily the material was pretty easy for them to grasp.  

My colleague, Mrs. Villarreal prepared some notes that were fabulous for Growth and Decay and shared them with me.  I, of course, had to 'FONT' them up and added a few fill in the blanks for guided notes.  I also have this really strange 'absolutely cannot stand comic sans font' affliction.  I don't know why I have it but it is a very real thing that generally means I have to change every resource ever done to a different font!  Her original notes are available in Word and PDF for FREE.  Thank you so much for sharing Mrs. V!!

My revised notes below are available in both Word and PDF.  The font I used in Word is KG Payphone which you can download from Dafont.com here for FREE!  I also changed the interest formula to the continual interest formula per some earlier discussion with colleagues.  I wrote more about it here which also has notes and an activity.

Here is the key as well:

The notes went exceptionally well but my students have seen this before.  I taught exponential functions quite different when I taught Algebra and they have only been in our Algebra 1 Curriculum for 3 years now.  The first year was one of those 'learned them while the kids did' years!  Luckily I found a great resource online from a teacher who shared and it made all the difference.  I followed this link and found a wealth of knowledge.  I'll post all the ones we've used in a later post.  It is one of those I researched the sharer and personally e-mailed to thank them.

For the activity, another fabulous resource from one of my favorite Teachers-Pay-Teachers go to sellers, Algebra Accents.  In this activity she has 48 problems!  24 open ended and 24 multiple choice.  Well worth the $3 investment!  Since it is a newer TEK in Texas for Algebra 1, finding appropriately leveled problems for our students can be a challenge so I am all about the convenience and would have spent more that $3 of my time creating something.

I prepared it by printing one colorful set of the open ended task cards and a different color set of the multiple choice ones.  I laminated them and stacked them in the back of the class.  Students had an answer sheet for both colors and could work at their own pace.  The problems are fantastic!

I'm planning on continuing the cards tomorrow with the following Warm-Up:

The instructions read: 

Label each equation and graph as linear, quadratic or exponential.  Then match the graph with its equation.

One of our TEKS is comparing the different functions and I thought this a nice reminder before our next lesson over graphing.  Download it in Word or PDF for FREE!  The font I used in word is Harry P available on Dafont.com here for FREE!  I know, it's just a title but I have a problem... at least I admit it :-)

Hope you had a great weekend!  As always, please fell free to contact me with any questions and feel free to share!  

Thanks,

Lisa

Exponential Function FUN with The Money Project!

Last week, on Friday, I realized I need one more major grade for this nine weeks.... and only had one week to get in a new unit and major grade!  No pressure at all.

Our next unit was Exponential functions.  Our curriculum for Math Models deviates quite a bit from Algebra 1 on Exponential Functions (which I have only taught twice before....).  While we are still going to work on the basics, they have a very finance/social science driven curriculum.  Enter: interest rates!  I have never taught them, only had students use them in a senior level course I have taught before.

So Monday when I entered the school and was in a 'hadn't had my coffee need a major grade quick' phase... one of my colleagues recommended a finance project she had.  It seriously covered almost every single TEK (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills- our state Curriculum Standards) I needed for the entire unit!

Project picked, I needed some notes.  In discussion, I learned that almost all interest is now compounded continuously as oppose to our standard Simple and Compound that I've always used.  I searched for some interactive notebook items but came up blank.  I couldn't even find a graphic that explained what exactly the e value in the Pert formula was!

I created this one and am really happy with how it came out.  My students just needed a reference for what everything is.  I was not wanting super intense notes.

Here is the entire project for FREE if you are interested.  This is courtesy my fabulous co-worker, Mrs. Shirly Boots for the original and inspiration.  I added a little more detail as I am making it a major grade and needed a clear rubric and wanted to try and add a little more detail for the students.

In the project, they will draw random amounts from me to use.  I did a variety of amounts $100-$500 and another from $5,000-$9,000.  I've included the amounts in the file as well for you.

As always, these are in both editable and PDF format because of my different font loves! 

Follow Up to my activity.... I am definitely going to 'tweak' the project for next year.  I'm going to make them choose the 2 investments and apply them to both starting amount for an apples to apples comparison.  They will also graph them separately.  I'll share that as well when I complete it.

Please let me know if you see any corrections or have anything to add.

Thank you!

Lisa