Algebra 1

To be or not to be... linear

The student will determine the correlation between two variables. They will graph ordered pairs on a coordinate plane, determine a best fit line, find slope and intercepts, and write the equation of a line. This lesson plan is geared for both 8th grade math and algebra.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Mathematics)

By Kyle Gorton.

Sports statisticians: Working with systems of equations

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 2.10

In this lesson, students use the substitution and eliminations methods to solve systems of equations related to basketball statistics.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 Mathematics)

By Debbie Brooks, Peggy Dickey, and Jan Sullivan.

Investigating linear equations

Using a graphic calculator to compare the slope and y-intercept of lines to understand the slope-intercept form (y = mx+b) and what effect each has on a line.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

By Misty Jarman.

Homerun hoopla

This lesson is designed for students to gather and analyze data about baseball figures. The student will use the Internet or other resources to collect statistical data on the top five home run hitters for the current season as well as their career home run totals. The students will graph the data and determine if it is linear or non-linear.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

By Anne Walters.

Resources on the web

Trout pond population

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use iteration, recursion, and algebra to model and analyze a changing fish population. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Symbolic analysis

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit, students use iteration, recursion, and algebra to model and analyze a changing fish population. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Supply and demand

This Illuminations lesson focuses on having students create and solve a system of linear equations in a real-world setting. By solving the system, students find the equilibrium point for supply and demand. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 and 12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Seeing music

In this Illuminations lesson, students calculate terms of a geometric sequence to determine frequencies of the chromatic scale. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Reflect on your work

In this lesson, students examine, re-examine, and compare the results obtained in previous lessons to enrich their mathematical understanding. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Rediscovering the patterns in Pick's Theorem

In this lesson, the first in a series from Illuminations, students use a geoboard, geoboard applet, or Geometer's Sketchpad to discover the pattern of Pick's Theorem. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Rates of change in Pick's Theorem

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use a spreadsheet to investigate rates of change among various figures created on a geoboard. The coefficients of Pick's Theorem are easily determined from these rates of change. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Rates and taxes

In this lesson, from Illuminations, students become familiar with percents and taxes. Students learn how to determine the amount of tax a family must pay based on a certain income. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Pick's theorem as a system of equations

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students gather three examples from a geoboard or other representation to generate a system of equations. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Pedal power

In this Illuminations lesson, students compare, contrast, and make conjectures based on distance-time graphs for three bicyclists climbing to the top of a mountain. They determine the slopes of the graphs and interpret them as rates of change. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Gather data

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students explore the development of a mathematical model for the decay of light passing through water, in a rich exploration of exponential models in context. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Barbie bungee

In this Illuminations lesson, students model a bungee jump using a Barbie doll and rubber bands. The distance to which the doll will fall is directly proportional to the number of rubber bands, so this context is used to examine linear functions. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics