Derivatives Lesson Plans

Students analyze graphs and determine their general shape. In this calculus lesson, students solve functions by taking the derivative, sketch tangent lines and estimate the slope of the line using the derivative. They graph and analyze their answers.

Twelfth graders investigate the derivative of a function.  In this calculus instructional activity, 12th graders explore the derivatives of sine, cosine, natural log, and natural exponential functions.  The instructional activity promotes the idea of the derivative as a function and uses numerical and graphical investigations to form conjectures about common derivative formulas. 

Students explore the concept of piecewise functions.  In this piecewise functions lesson, students find the derivatives of piecewise functions.  Students determine points of discontinuity and jumps in the graph using their Ti-89 calculator.

Students derive functions given a limit. In this calculus lesson, student define the derivative of f at x=a, knowing the derivative is a point or just a number. This assignment requires students to work independently as much as possible.

Learners derivative functions and limits. In this calculus instructional activity, students apply properties of limits to solve problems. They discus definitions of epsilon and delta.

Students graph the derivative of functions. In this calculus lesson, students use the TI to graph their functions and algebraically take the derivatie of each function. They create a visual and analyze the graph.

Learners investigate the absolute maximum of a function.  In this absolute value of a function lesson, students find the absolute maximum and minimum of a function on a closed interval of 1 to 4.  Learners find the derivative of the function and set it equal to zero to find possible absolute maximums and minimums.  Students use their Ti-Nspire to complete the investigation.

Young scholars explore and derive functions. In this calculus lesson, students graphs a function and find the derivative of each function as they compare exponential graphs. They relate and compare each function to its derivative.

Students find derivatives.  In this derivative lesson, students explore lists and determine the derivative for that list.  They use regressions to discover equations. 

Twelfth graders compute the limits of functions. In this algebra lesson, 12th graders calculate the asymptotes, maximum and minimum of a function. They analyze the functions based on their intercepts and zeros.