Illustrative Mathematics
Find the Change
This exercise is an opportunity for algebra learners to understand the connection between the slope of a line and points found on the line. Use similar triangles to explain why slope m is the same between any two points. Discuss with the...
Curated OER
A Sweet Drink
Young scholars investigate reaction rates. In this seventh or eighth grade mathematics lesson, students collect, record, and analyze data regarding how the temperature of water affects the dissolving time of a sugar cube. Studetns...
EngageNY
The Computation of the Slope of a Non-Vertical Line
Determine the slope when the unit rate is difficult to see. The 17th part of a 33-part series presents a situation that calls for a method to calculate the slope for any two points. It provides examples when the slope is hard to...
Curated OER
Piecewise Linear Functions: Extending Stories to Graphs
Using this resource, scholars develop graphs that model situations by showing change over time. They answer 15 questions based on information from charts that show growth in weight. They extend the concepts to an assessment section of...
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...
Balanced Assessment
Ford and Ferrari
Which is faster, a Ford or a Ferrari? The short assessment has pupils analyze graphs to determine the rates of change between the two. Individuals interpret the rates of change within the context of speeds of the cars and develop a map...
Radford University
Finding Slope
The class takes a trip about the school and find four places to measure the rise and run of objects that represent slope in the building. Pairs work together to calculate the slope of each object and determine whether any ramp they find...
Curated OER
Point-Slope Form of a Line
This activity helps young mathematicians connect the graph and the point-slope form of a line, by first solving a real-world problem and then using that example to motivate the understanding of the equation. By manipulating the gizmo,...
Curated OER
The Slope of a Line
Students define the slope of a line as rate of change. They investigate positive, negative, zero, or undefined slope using a graphing calculator. They determine the slope of a line when given the equation of the line.
Virginia Department of Education
The Submarine
Submerge yourself in the study of slope. Scholars investigate a situation involving slope and the rate of change of a submarine. An additional example further explores the concept of slope by changing one of the conditions of the submarine.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Point-Slope Application Problems
Create a linear equation for a problem when the intercept information is not given. The two-day lesson introduces the class to the point-slope form, which can be used for problems when the initial conditions are not provided. Pupils...
Curated OER
Extrema on an Interval
Students explore maximum and minimum points, slopes and tangents. In this Pre-Calculus lesson, students solve optimization problems and find rates of change.
Curated OER
Lessen the Loan
Middle-schoolers explore the concept linear equations. They use the internet to navigate through videos and problems. Pupils problem solve to determine rates of change, slope, and x and y-intercepts.
Curated OER
Introducing Linear Terminology
Ninth graders graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables and then, they write equations of lines and find and use the slope and y-intercept
of lines. They use linear equations to model real data and define to define the...
Virginia Department of Education
Linear Modeling
An inquiry-based algebra lesson explores real-world applications of linear functions. Scholars investigate four different situations that can be modeled by linear functions, identifying the rate of change, as well as the strength and...
Project Maths
Introduction to Calculus
Don't let your class's heart rates rise as you introduce them to differentiation ... an inquiry-based instructional activity helps them keep it in check! The second instructional activity in a three-part series asks learners to analyze...
Kenan Fellows
Man vs. Beast: Approximating Derivatives using Human and Animal Movement
What does dropping a ball look like as a graph? An engaging activity asks learners to record a video of dropping a ball and uploading the video to software for analysis. They compare the position of the ball to time and calculate the...
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Linear Graphs Using Proportions and Rates
Using a TI-73 or other similar graphing calculator middle school math majors investigate the linear relationship of equivalent proportions. After a brief introduction by the teacher, class members participate in a timed pair share...
Curated OER
Slope
Studying slope? This one page worksheet has it covered! Learners use graphs and coordinates to find slope and also use slope to find a missing coordinate of a point on a line. The lesson also includes a real-world example that asks...
Curated OER
Graphing Lines That Don't "Fit"
How can you graph lines that don't seem to fit on the given graph? What makes a line straight? What does the rate of change mean when graphing a line? How do you know if a slope is positive or negative? How do you know if the graph of a...
Virginia Department of Education
Slippery Slope
Explore slope using geometric patterns. Young mathematicians investigate towers built from cubes to develop a linear pattern. They move the data to a coordinate plane to connect the pattern to slopes.
Curated OER
Slope & Rate of Change
This short handout addresses the concept of slope in two different ways: geometrically and analytically. Start with a brief description of slope, then use graphical representations to compare positive vs. negative slope and zero vs....
Curated OER
Introducing y = mx + b
Middle and high schoolers use the slope intercept form to graph a line. In this algebra lesson, pupils rewrite equations from standard form to y-intercept form. They use the slope and y-intercept to graph a line without making a table of...
Curated OER
A Steep Hike
Young scholars explore slope. In this middle school mathematics activity, students analyze and interpret graphs as they investigate slope as a rate of change. Young scholars use a motion detector to collect data as they walk at...