Math+Learning+Activities

Algebra 1 Simulation Reviews Equation Grapher from PhET  **Personal Opinion**: Students often struggle with being able to visualize how coefficients transform a graph compared to a parent linear or quadratic function. It can be especially time consuming to constantly re-graph the parent functions, so the ability of this simulation to show both the parent functions and the given function is great. You can use the sliders to adjust each of the coefficients or you can type in your own numbers. **Ease of Use**: The simulation is very easy to use and a teacher's guide is provided with tips. The simulation is also available in over 30 different languages. **Education Value**: This simulation would be useful for an in-class lesson and as a resource for help completing homework or studying. **Age/Developmentally Appropriate**: This is age appropriate for Algebra 1 students and would be useful in any middle-high school algebra class. **Applicability to Theme**: This simulation could be used over multiple chapters which involve graphing linear and quadratic functions.

Projectile Motion from PhET  **Personal Opinion**: Projectile motion often appeals to students because they can see how the math they're learning about is used in the real world. In my classroom I do a lot of different examples involving the vertical motion model which is a simplified version of projectile motion. We don't normally get into projectile motion due to needing to know some trigonometry and physics. This simulation would be a nice bridge to use when introducing kinematics and how they tie in with quadratic equations. **Ease of Use**: The simulation is somewhat intuitive but a teacher's guide is provided which includes helpful tips and explanations. It is also available in over 30 different languages. **Education Value**: There are a variety of different teaching ideas with activities using the simulation provided on the site. These activities would allow students to use the simulation as an in-class exercise or lab. **Age/Developmentally Appropriate**: This simulation is probably best suited for a Algebra 2 or Physics classroom but could be adapted for use in Algebra 1. **Applicability to Theme**: This simulation can be tied in with quadratic functions.

Modeling Linear Systems - Activity B Gizmo from Explore elearning <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Personal Opinion**: Visualizing how linear systems work can be confusing and time consuming for students to graph and find the intersection of the two lines. Students also don't see any connection to real life. While this simulation is a bit contrived, it's much better than most sample problems I've seen provided in textbooks. There are also 5 assessment questions provided which check student's learning. You can also take screenshots which could be pasted into a document to create other problems. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Ease of Use**: This simulation is very easy to use and an exploration guide is provided. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Education Value**: This would be a good individual activity for students to do during class. You could have them extend the idea by creating other problems or asking them to think of other situations where linear systems could be applied. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Age/Developmentally Appropriate**: This simulation is appropriate for Algebra 1 students. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Applicability to Theme**: This simulation can be used when talking about applications of linear systems.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Point-Slope Form of a Line - Activity A Gizmo from Explore elearning <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Personal Opinion**: Students spend so much time working with slope-intercept form that they struggle with other forms for the equation of a line. This simulation allows students to visualize point-slope form and slope-intercept form at the same time. The different values can be adjusted using either sliders or by typing in the numbers. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Ease of Use**: This simulation is easy to use. An exploration guide is also provided. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Education Value**: This activity is most suited for an in-class lesson or when reviewing material before an assessment. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Age/Developmentally Appropriate**: This activity is appropriate for Algebra 1 curriculum. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Applicability to Theme**: This simulation fits in with writing linear equations in point-slope form.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Netvibes Algebra 1 Resources

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Activities for Netvibes Algebra 1 Resources <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Go to MathMoves U and once logged in, click on whichever area (travel, sports, music, fashion) interests you. Click on the Flashcard symbol and complete all 5 questions for each topic on the flashcard.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Visit ClassZone and click on @HomeTutor. Navigate to Chapter 3 Lesson 4 - Solve Equations with Variables on Both Sides. Click on Learn the Lesson and proceed through the instruction. After you've finished, go back to ClassZone and click on Animated Math. Select the animation that corresponds with the lesson and complete 5 practice problems.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Visit The Scale of the Universe 2. As you navigate through, list 4 object smaller than human and 4 that are larger. Be sure to indicate their size in meters using scientific notation. Then arrange the objects in order from least to greatest size. Pick 5 objects and convert their size from scientific notation to standard form.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Working on building your mental math skills by playing Pathways 2. You should start on the Easy Level and eventually progress up to Difficult. Write down what you think the two step mathematical rule is for the Difficult Level and revise as you play.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Visit Khan Academy and watch this video on how to simplify radicals. Then go to the Practice section and complete a stack of problems that involve simplifying radicals. To pass you need 2 leaves out of 3 on each card.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">6. Go to Mangahigh and navigate to the Algebra Meltdown game. This will help you review how to solve one-step linear equations mentally. Complete the game on the Easy difficulty level without getting fired.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. Visit The Futures Channel and watch Dancing with Geometry. After you have finished watching the video, download and complete The Body Mechanic activity which examines how much force muscles have to exert to lift things.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. Go to Quia and select Algebra 1 from the Subcategory menu. Choose the Linear Equations in one Variable Rags to Riches game and see if you can make it the whole way to the million dollar question.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">9. Visit BBC Bitesize Maths - Algebra site. You will be learning about different equations for the graphs of lines. First click on the Revise link to learn more about the different forms. After you've finished, move on to the interactive activity. Finally, complete the test on Graphs. You need a 4 out of 4 on the test for a passing score.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">10. Visit IXL and select Solve Absolute Value Equations. You should complete at least 10 problems. Your goal is to end up with a SmartScore of 70 or higher.