Functions

I typed up this set of instructions for finding the y-intercept of a graph using the TI-84 for my Algebra 2 students to fill in and glue in their interactive notebooks. I included instructions for two different ways that students could find the y-intercept of a graph using their graphing calculator. Giving students multiple solving …

In the past, my students have always done a good job of finding domain and range from a table or set of ordered pairs in Algebra 1.  Hello, domain is the set of all x-values and range is the set of all y-values.  Write them in squiggly brackets without repeating, and you’re done.  They would …

I created this composition of functions foldable for my Algebra 2 students to glue in their interactive notebooks. Free Download of Composition of Functions Foldable

My Algebra 2 students completed this sketching inverses practice book in their interactive notebooks. We took notes over inverses in Unit 1.  But, I was finding that my students had forgotten how to use their calculators to sketch the inverse.  They needed more practice, so we made a new notebook page. First, we just wrote …

I created this graphing functions worksheet to wrap up our unit on parent functions. I wanted them to synthesize all of the information we had learned about parent functions and describing graphs. Students received 6 of these papers and 6 functions to complete the questions about.  One equation per parent function. Free Download of Graphing …

I created this parent functions card sort activity for my Algebra 2 students. This activity is intended to give students practice matching equations, graphs, and tables. It also introduces them to the concept of a “window” on the graphing calculator. I actually ended up giving this to students on their very first day of using …

My students struggle with remembering how to evaluate a function from a graph.  In the past, we’ve never taken notes over it before.  I’m not in love with these notes, but they’re a definite step up from the no notes over this topic from the previous 2 years. Download Evaluating Functions Example

I still don’t feel like I’ve come up with a fool-proof way of demonstrating the difference between independent and dependent variables.  

I created this justifying function or not a function interactive notebook page to help model for my students how to write proper justification sentences. I always get so frustrated when students will say that something is a function or not a function without any explanation. As we’ve been reviewing for the EOI these past few …

These Algebra Aerobics Stick Figure Posters are a fun way to display the different types of parent functions in your classroom. These posters are a free resource provided by OKMathTeachers.com.   The OKMath website has a pdf file you can download of 15 different full page stick figure equations.  Sadly, the graph of y=sin x …

We looked at an excellent PISA task involving the speed of a racing car at a common core workshop that I attended (OGAP) during the summer of 2013. I am blogging about the activities that we worked through in an effort to both make them easier to find in the future and to hopefully inspire …

I worked through this community center task for interpreting graphs at a 2013 Common Core Workshop I attended (OGAP). I am blogging about the activities we did last summer so that they are easier for me to find when I go to plan lessons. I hope these ideas will inspire you as well. I believe …

Here’s a hands-on lesson I put together to teach my Algebra 1 students to evaluate and graph functions using function machines made of flip chutes. Let me set the stage so you can see where this falls in my Algebra 1 curriculum.  At this point in the year, my Algebra 1 kiddos have reviewed the …

I created this graphing functions on the coordinate plane graphic organizer for my Algebra 1 students to glue in their interactive notebooks. We completed this as part of a much larger activity that involved modeling function machines using flip chutes. I was a bit frustrated over my students’ struggle with function notation from the previous …

This function machines and function notation foldable was inspired by Sarah Rubin at Everybody Is a Genius. I created this foldable to accompany a lesson with function machines made from flip chutes. We labeled each part of a function in function notation.  And, then we practiced evaluating functions using a function machine. Inside the foldable, …

I want to share a domain and range graphic organizer I created for my Algebra 1 students to glue in their interactive notebooks. I used the same DIXROY mnemonic device with my Algebra 1 students that I introduced to my Algebra 2 students.  I don’t really know how many students even use this to help …

Today I want to share a independent vs dependent variables card sort I created for my Algebra 1 classes to glue in their interactive notebooks. Last year, some of my students really struggled with the difference between dependent and independent variables.  So, this year, I set out to teach this topic better.  I’m pretty sure …

We created this function transformations foldable after students had explored function transformations using an activity I learned about this summer called Move the Monster.  I got a paper copy of the handout at the OGAP Common Core Workshop I attended this summer.  My goal was for students to discover the transformations for themselves.  Then, we …

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when my students give me dating advice.  After all, I gave them some dating advice a few weeks ago, and they must be just returning the favor.  If you want to know what your students really think of you, let them write you an online dating profile.  But, more …

One of the main thing my students need to be able to do on their Algebra 2 EOI is to describe graphs.  This describing characteristics of graphs foldable is an attempt to introduce my students to the concepts of x-intercepts, y-intercepts, relative maximums, relative minimums, increasing intervals, decreasing intervals, roots, solutions, and zeros. Because there …

I used the same cards that we used for Domain and Range Pictionary to create an interactive domain and range foldable for my Algebra 2 classes. There are 32 cards which give my students 32 opportunities to practice finding the domain and range! We made a tiny envelope to hold our 32 cards.  Let me …

This year I’m trying the DIX ROY acronym to hopefully help my Algebra 2 students remember the difference between domain and range! D – DomainI – InputsX – X-Coordinates R – RangeO – OutputsY – Y-Coordinates Last year, my students had a TERRIBLE time remembering the difference between domain and range.  This summer, at the …

This finding the inverse of a function foldable was inspired by @druinok’s post from February Last year, my Algebra 2 students really struggled with the concept of an inverse.  So, this year, I decided to start talking about inverses very early in the school year.  This will allow us to revisit the concept over and …

I created this Characteristics of Graphs & Functions Foldable recently. After doing domain and range with my Algebra 2 class, my next goal was for students to be able to recognize x-intercepts, y-intercepts, maximum and minimum values, and vertical and horizontal asymptotes. I summarized these for my students in a booklet foldable for their interactive …

We started our Describing Graphs Unit in Algebra 2 by playing some domain and range pictionary. I used the domain and range graphing cards from Zero-Knowledge Proofs.  I gave each student two pages of cards to cut apart and keep in their notebook.   My students were surprisingly impressed by the small pocket we created to …