Lesson Plan
EngageNY

The Definition of a Parabola

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Put together the pieces and model a parabola. Learners work through several examples to develop an understanding of a parabola graphically and algebraically. 
Performance
Radford University

“FUN-ctions” Find the Equation of a Scream

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Take a function along for a ride. Given the graph of a roller coaster track, pupils determine key features of the graph such as the maximum, minimum, intervals of increase and decrease, and roots. They figure out the equation of the...
Lesson Plan
West Contra Costa Unified School District

Conics Introduction and Parabolas

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Where did conic sections get their name? The equation and graph of a parabola are developed from the definition of the conic section. Teacher examples on graphing the equation and writing an equation from the graph round out the plan.
Lesson Plan
Texas Instruments

Properties of Parabolas

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Explore the properties of parabolas in this lesson. Construct a parabola given a focus and a directrix on the Ti-Nspire. Write equations of parabolas in vertex form and determine the a value of a parabola given a focus and directrix.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Podcasting Parabolas

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore parabolas.  In this algebra and technology instructional activity, students construct the equation of a specific parabola, then take digital photos of real-life representations of these parabolas.  Learners...
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Quadratic Functions and Equations

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The form of a quadratic function paints a picture of its graph. Young mathematicians explore this connection by locating key features on a graph and then writing the corresponding equations. The interactive tutorial highlights key...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introducing the Properties of Quadratic Equations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Practice relating linear equations to quadratic equations and identify the properties of a quadratic equation. Draw a quadratic equation and assess how the coefficients a, b, and c affect the shape of a parabola. Create a model of each...
Performance
Radford University

Saving the US from a Missile Crisis

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Mathematically shoot down an incoming missile. Given information about the Cuban Missile Crises, learners calculate the equation of the trajectory of an imaginary missile launched from Cuba toward Washington, D.C. Scholars determine the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parabolas

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students define a parabola through hands on creation. In this algebra lesson, students analyze the directrix and focus of a parabola. They create a paper parabola and identify the vertex with points equal distance apart from the vertex.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bouncing Ball

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Students collect height versus time data of a bouncing ball using the CBR 2™ data collection device. Using a quadratic equation they graph scatter plots, graph and interpret a quadratic function, apply the vertex form of a quadratic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphing Quadratic Equations with a Coefficient of One

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This is a teacher page for a lesson and does not include any materials to support the lesson. Students graph quadratic equations with a coefficient of one and create a table of values to graph a quadratic equation. They plot the values...
Performance
Radford University

How to Calculate and Analyze the Equation for a Parabolic Path

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Working in groups, pupils plot three points on the coordinate plane representing three different parabolic paths. Using a calculator, they determine the quadratic regression equation for their models. Each team then figures out the...
Assessment
Illustrative Mathematics

Identifying Quadratic Functions (Vertex Form)

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Pupils calculate the equation of a quadratic in vertex form from a specific graph and determine an equation that would fit the description of a parabola. The final question determines the individuals' understanding of the signs of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Maximize area

For Teachers 9th - 11th
For this subscription-based activity, algebra learners model changes in the length and width of a rectangle to determine the maximum area possible for a given perimeter and solve several application problems involving area, included in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forms of Quadratic Equations

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Transformations of parabolas to fit a particular quadratic equation is taught through this lesson.  In this transforming parabolas to fit a particular quadratic equation lesson, learners describe the transformations of the parabola...
Lesson Plan
Mathalicious

Out of Left Field

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A baseball trajectory and a parabola seem to make the best pair in real-world quadratic applications. Here is a current baseball resource with questions, discussions, and explorations regarding a quadratic function and home run...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quadratic Equations and Functions

For Teachers 8th - 11th
This comprehensive lesson plan reviews solving and graphing quadratic functions and functions of higher degree.  Using the vertex form of a quadratic functions, one finds the vertex, minimum or maximum, and axis of symmetry. A few...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Parabolic Equations

For Students 11th - 12th
For this parabolic worksheet, students write an equation of a parabola which satisfies given conditions. They match equations to the correct graph. Students identify the vertex, domain and range of an equation. This one-page worksheet...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing Equations of Parabolas in Vertex Form

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Pupils use their knowledge of the vertex form of a quadratic equation to graph parabolas using a graphing calculator, given a specific move to make. this lesson may be used as a review or as extra practice, in groups or individually.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Twenty-Seven Graphing Lines, Parabolas, and Absolute Value Problems

For Students 8th - 10th
Have learners find coordinates of point on a graph, find equations of graphs given, and graph given equations using in and out tables. There are 27 problems related to equations for lines, parabolas, and absolute value functions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quadratic Equations with the CBL 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Learners practice generating parabolas with a motion sensor while determining the vertex form of the equation. They compare it to the regression equation from the calculator onto a data mate software. Each student completes several...
Assessment
EngageNY

End-of-Module Assessment Task - Algebra 2 (Module 1)

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
A series of assessment tasks require learners to process information and communicate solutions. Topics include graphing parabolas, solving linear-quadratic systems, factoring polynomials, and solving polynomial equations. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Quadratic Data : Transformation Graphing

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
High schoolers analyze the vertex form of a parabola and find an approximate fit of a model. They explain the quadratic parabola function and its properties by developing quadratic models. They use translation and dilation to change the...
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Parabolas: Invisible Graph

For Students 11th - Higher Ed Standards
Envision the function as the point swings. Given a point connected to another point and a line, pupils trace through an invisible graph. Learners identify the name of the given point and the line and determine the type of conic section...