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For my lesson, I am using a really neat
webpage developed by Margaret Sinclair and
hosted by the Math Forum. Ms. Sinclair's
site, entitled "Investigating
Functions Using Spreadsheets," allows
students to look into what a function is
using Excel.
DAY ONE
We investigate simple linear functions
and power functions.
- On the first day, give the students
partners. There should be enough
computers for pair to have a
computer.
- Each pair should go to the
"Investigating
Functions Using Spreadsheets"
website.
- Each pair should do Linear
Functions I, Linear Functions II, and
Introduction to Power Functions.
- After completing the instructions
for each function, the students should
complete questions set that goes with
it.
When a student clicks on the link to
one of the functions, he'll get a function
and a table of associated values. For
example, clicking on Linear Functions I
brings up the equation y=mx. A list of x
and y values comes up as well (x=1, y=2
when m =2). The students can manipulate m
in a different cell and see how that
affects the ouputs.
DAY TWO
This day the students finish up the
series of functions and begin the
"Seminars" portion of the page, which
should take almost two days.
- Each pair should complete the
Quadratic Functions spreadsheet and
question set.
- Now the students should work on the
seminars portion of the webpage.
- DO NOT PICK ONE OF THE SEMINARS.
Instead, each group should complete all
of them.
The "Seminars" ask the students to
examine the roles of parameters in
different equations. For example, what
effect do a and k have in
rational functions of the form y =
a/x+k ?
DAY THREE
The reason that I want the students to
do all of the seminars is that I feel
understanding translations early can
really aid in their understanding of
functions. Though it will take extra time,
I feel there will be long term
benefits.
- The pairs should complete the
seminars.
- Each pair should write about the
parameters' effects. A couple of
sentences for each equation should
suffice.
- Conclude the lesson with a whole
class discussion to see if everyone had
the same findings.
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