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I created this Key Features of Functions Work Mat to use with my Algebra 2 students during our introductory functions unit. We used it to practice concepts including domain, range, increasing and decreasing intervals, positive and negative intervals, and x- and y-intercepts.

I printed the Key Features of Functions Work Mats on 11 x 17 cardstock and used it with my 11 x 17 dry erase pockets. This larger size made it easier for students to use the work mat in small groups.
MATH = LOVE RECOMMENDS…

I cannot imagine teaching math without my dry erase pockets! They instantly make any activity more engaging and save me countless hours at the copy machine since I can use the same class sets of copies year after year.
Here are my current go-to recommendations:
If you are looking to save a bit of money, you can also pick up a package of 11 x 17 sheet protectors for a much cheaper price! They won’t be quite as durable, but students can still write and erase with their dry erase markers.

I used these workmats over several days and activities. I tried to make it generic enough that I could use it throughout the year if I wanted to.

The primary way I used these work mats was to give students a description of a graph that they needed to sketch.

For example, I might ask students to “Create a graph that is increasing on the interval (5, ∞) and decreasing on the interval (-∞, 5).”

While first introducing these concepts, I had students sketch them on their dry erase work mats. I walked around from group to group checking their work.

As we got more practice, I would give students a stipulation that their graph must have. After sketching the graph, I asked them to fill in the rest of the table with the descriptions of their graph.

I love this activity because it really helps me get a feel for how well my students are understanding these crucial Algebra 2 concepts. It’s easy to think that your students understand domain and range when they really don’t.
But, I can be pretty confident my students understand a domain and range if they can produce a graph that has a given domain and range.

Free Download of Key Features of Functions Work Mat
Key Features of Functions Work Mat (PDF) (1197 downloads)
Key Features of Functions Work Mat (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (593 downloads)
More Activities for Teaching Domain and Range
- Set and Interval Notation Dry Erase Template
- Build a Function Activity
- Domain and Range Challenge Activity
- Sketch a Graph Activity
- Inequality and Interval Notation Chart
- Key Features of Functions Work Mat
- Find the Flubs Activity – Set and Interval Notation
- Domain and Range Restrictions Foldable
- Domain and Range Foldables
- Domain and Range Graphic Organizer DIXI ROYD
- Domain and Range Foldables (DIXI ROYD)
- Algebra 2 Domain and Range Foldable
- Drawing Boxes for Domain and Range
- Domain and Range Graphic Organizer
- Interactive Domain and Range Foldable
- DIX ROY Acronym for Domain and Range
- Domain and Range Pictionary Activity
- Notation for Domain and Range Foldable
More Activities for Teaching Key Features of Functions
- Sketch a Graph Activity
- Key Features of Functions Work Mat
- Roots Solutions Zeros X-Intercepts Posters
- Increasing and Decreasing Intervals Foldable
- Finding the Max or Min of a Graph [TI-84 Instructions]
- Finding Maximums and Minimums Practice Book
- Finding Intercepts with the Calculator Practice Book
- Finding X-intercepts of a Graph [TI-84 Instructions]
- Finding the Y-intercept of a Graph [TI-84 Instructions]
- Graphing and Describing Functions Worksheet
- Describing Characteristics of Graphs Foldable
- Characteristics of Graphs & Functions Foldable