8th Grade Math - Unit 1b: Linear Relationships & y = mx + b

Unit 1b: Linear Relationships
In this unit we focused on slope and rate of change, proportional relationships and linear relationships that are not proportional.  

This year for my linear relationships unit I put an emphasis on the use of a "mini table" to find the rate of change.  This is such an effective method because it can be used to find the slope of a line, and the rate of change in a situation or in a table. Instead of teaching multiple methods, I teach them that the slope can be found using any two points.  And they have discovered that the "mini table" method is super easy for them.  :o)

I came up with this idea in the middle of last year after my students took the CAASPP Interim Assessment.  This new method for finding the slope really helped my students when they took the Summative Assessment at the end of the year. This is why I incorporated this method into every part of my unit on Linear Relationships from the beginning this year. 
Here is my "mini table" method. ;o)

Students Interactive Math Notebooks
My students finally have my Interactive Math Notebook expectations and procedures down and they are finally starting to use them as a reference.  They are also understanding the value of the color-coding because it helps them see the connections within the concepts. 

Here is what the students Interactive Math Notebooks look like for Unit 1b.

I have blogged before about my Academic Vocabulary Book.  Here is an updated view of what their Word of the Day - 8th Grade Math Academic Vocabulary Book.

My Collaborative Team Structure
I have added some new structures and expectations to my Collaborative Teams this year. One of my new expectations is that when the recorder/reporter is sharing out to the class, they have to "Stand and Deliver" using a microphone.  

Here are some posters I created with my expectations and procedures.

My collaborative team "Solve It, PROVE It" daily warm-ups have been evolving and my students are making progress in learning to justify and support their answers.

My Collaborative Team Tasks on Proportional Relationships and Linear Relationships.

iMath and Unit 1b: Linear Relationships
My iMath lessons have been based my two favorite apps Showbie and Socrative.  My students love the independent practice in my self-paced Socrative Lessons and my "paperless" Tasks in Showbie.  Both of these allow me to check for understanding and help me clear up any misconceptions of the concepts they are learning.

Here are my Showbie lessons from Unit 1b.

Here are my Socrative lessons from Unit 1b.

Check out my Free Resources Socrative Page if you would like to use my Socrative Codes.

Here are two dry erase mats I made for my students to use when practicing concepts that use the "mini table". Feel free to download and use.

Download File: Finding the Slope of a Line Mat
Download File: Comparing Functions Mat
Download File: Writing the Equation of a Line Mat

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog. I hope you were inspired... :o)

Linear Relationships and the Slope Through Two Points

For the last couple of weeks we have been working on Finding the Slope of a Line and the Rate of Change in Linear Relationships.  I have been "Tweeting" about my method of using a "Mini Table" to find the Slope of a Line.

Here is a wall chart that explains the method that I use with my students.

The students practiced finding the slope of a line and comparing functions using my "Mini Table" method and my dry erase "Mini Table" Mat.

My "Mini Table" Mat

Feel free to download and use my "Mini Table" Mat:     Download: PDF File

I also did a really cool "Solve It, Post It" Collaborative Group Warm-up to solidify what the students have been learning.

Here is the "Solve It, Post It" Warm-up:

Each "Team" was given a different card with a pair of points.  Teams were to discuss and find the slope of the line through their two points using the "Mini Table" method.

Here are the cards. Each "Team" received one card.

After each "Team" solved their problem.  They "Posted" their answer by putting their "Team" whiteboard on the board in front of their "Team" number. (Boards are turned so that the answers are not showing).

After all of the "Teams" had "Posted" their answers, I put up a slide with a graphed line with color-coded points. I told the students that each of their set of points were represented on this line.  (It was color-coded to match the teams).

I asked the students, "Now knowing that all of the points that each of the "Teams" used to find the slope are on the same line, what should we see when I turn the boards around?"

It took some discussion and some good answers such as they should all be negative, but they finally determined that the slope on each of the boards should be the same.

I turned the boards around and....

They were all the same.... The students we super excited that it worked and all of the "Teams" had done it correctly.  :o)

This was a good lesson to help solidify the concept that I have been working on with the students.

Feel free to download my files and use in your classroom.... :o)

"Solve It, Post It" Warm-up Prompt  ~ Download:    PDF File  -  PNG File

 Cards with Two Points  ~ Download:    PDF File  

 Color-coded Graphed Line  ~ Download:    PDF File  -  PNG File

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog.  I hope you were inspired.... :o)