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Heating up

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L565

A lesson plan for grades 6–8 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics


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In this lesson, students will discover the havoc that wildfire can cause. After learning about the factors that contribute to the spreading of a wildfire, students will use a probability model to determine the portion of a forest that might be destroyed by fire. Illuminations provides links helpful web resources, overhead transparencies, activity sheets, and detailed instructions for completing the lesson.

Students will:

  • Use a probability model to simulate a forest fire.
  • Compare burn rates for various probabilities.
  • Determine percent destruction for various forest fires.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Relate and compare different forms of representation for a relationship.
  • Model and solve contextualized problems using various representations, such as graphs, tables, and equations.
  • Make conjectures about possible relationships between two characteristics of a sample on the basis of scatterplots of the data and approximate lines of fit.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 6

  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of simple algebraic expressions.
    • Objective 5.04: Use graphs, tables, and symbols to model and solve problems involving rates of change and ratios.

Grade 7

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including box plots and histograms) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.05: Solve problems involving two or more sets of data using appropriate statistical measures.
  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of linear relations and fundamental algebraic concepts.
    • Objective 5.01: Identify, analyze, and create linear relations, sequences, and functions using symbols, graphs, tables, diagrams, and written descriptions.

Grade 8

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including scatterplots) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.02: Approximate a line of best fit for a given scatterplot; explain the meaning of the line as it relates to the problem and make predictions.