Single runner
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L292
A lesson plan for grades 3–5 Mathematics
In this activity, students use a software simulation of one runner along a track. They control the speed and starting point of the runner, watch the race, examine a graph, and analyze the time-versus-distance relationship. This activity helps students understand, describe, and compare situations involving constant rates of change. Illuminations provides an activity sheet, a link to the runner simulation, and directions for completing the lesson.
Students will:
- Identify and describe situations with constant rates of change and compare them.
NCTM Standards and Expectations:
- Represent and analyze patterns and functions, using words, tables, and graphs.
- Investigate how a change in one variable relates to a change in a second variable.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Mathematics (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 1: Number and Operations - The learner will model, identify, and compute with whole numbers through 9,999.
- Objective 1.03: Develop fluency with multiplication from 1x1 to 12x12 and division up to two-digit by one-digit numbers using:
- Strategies for multiplying and dividing numbers.
- Estimation of products and quotients in appropriate situations.
- Relationships between operations.
- Objective 1.03: Develop fluency with multiplication from 1x1 to 12x12 and division up to two-digit by one-digit numbers using:
- Goal 3: Geometry - The learner will recognize and use basic geometric properties of two- and three-dimensional figures.
- Objective 3.02: Use a rectangular coordinate system to solve problems.
- Graph and identify points with whole number and/or letter coordinates.
- Describe the path between given points on the plane.
- Objective 3.02: Use a rectangular coordinate system to solve problems.
Grade 4
- Goal 1: Number and Operations - The learner will read, write, model, and compute with non-negative rational numbers.
- Objective 1.02: Develop fluency with multiplication and division:
- Two-digit by two-digit multiplication (larger numbers with calculator).
- Up to three-digit by two-digit division (larger numbers with calculator).
- Strategies for multiplying and dividing numbers.
- Estimation of products and quotients in appropriate situations.
- Relationships between operations.
- Objective 1.02: Develop fluency with multiplication and division:
- Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of mathematical relationships.
- Objective 5.01: Identify, describe, and generalize relationships in which:
- Quantities change proportionally.
- Change in one quantity relates to change in a second quantity.
- Objective 5.01: Identify, describe, and generalize relationships in which:
Grade 5
- Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of patterns, relationships, and elementary algebraic representation.
- Objective 5.03: Identify, describe, and analyze situations with constant or varying rates of change.
