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Finding Slope

Details

Activity Website:
Tech Product/Equipment:
Computer and projector

Activity Description

Teacher demonstrating slope
Source: Image created by Copilot of adult finding mathematical slope (License: Protected by Copyright (c) [i.e. screenshot])
 

This lesson introduces the slope of a line. The website, Coolmath.com continues the lessons with Finding the slope from the graph, from two points, and using slope in equations

CalculatorSoup provides an online calculator for learners to practice entering two points and find the slope of the line.

Preparation

  1. Check the website to ensure it is not blocked at your site.
  2. Read through the lesson plan.
  3. Print and make copies of any handouts.

Program Areas

  • ABE: Adult Basic Education
  • ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation
  • ASE: High School Diploma

Levels

  • All Levels

Lesson Plan

Warm-up
Engagement

What does slope mean? As learner pairs discuss and then share with the class.

What are examples of places "we go up, or go down." (a ramp, a hill, prices, escalator etc)

Introduction
Engagement Enhancement

Slope tells us how steep a  line is. Mathematically, slope = rise/run or change in y/change in x.

Go to What's the Slope of a Line? at Coolmath.com Follow the introduction of Pierre The Mountain Climbing Ant

Presentation
Engagement

Terminology

Positive slope (the line goes upward) graph the points (1,2) and (3,6)

Negative slope (the line falls as it moves from left to right) graph the points ((1,5) and (3,1)

Zero slope (the line is flat, horizontal) graph the points (2,4) and (6,4) the y values are the same, the line does not rise or fall

Undefined Slope (the line is vertical, straight up and down) graph the points (3,2) and (3,6)  in the slope calculation you cannot divide by 0 therefore the slope is undefined

  

Slope definition and example
Source: Slope Lesson Plan at ChatGPT (License: Protected by Copyright (c) [i.e. screenshot])
 

Practice
Engagement

In pairs, learners do the following problems:

  1. Find the slope between (2, 3) and (4, 7)
  2. Find the slope between (-1,5) and (2, 5)
  3. Graph and find the slope of a line that passes through (0, 0) and (3, 1)
  4. What kind of slolpe does a vertical line have?
  5. What kind of slope does a line have if it goes downhill from left to right?

Answers

  1. 2
  2. 0
  3. 1/3
  4. undefined
  5. negative
Evaluation
Engagement Enhancement

As pairs learners answer the questions on the Document Understanding Slope Student Handout. Then call pairs to take turns comeing to the board, answer, and explain the problems

Application
Engagement Enhancement Extension

Learner pairs create real-world exampoles of slope (ie a wheelchair ramp, a slide, a road) Draw it, label two points, caluculate the slope and present it to the class. You can use school photos or Google photos for images and estimate the slope in the pictures.

Documents

Subjects

  • Math
    • Geometry
    • Pre-Algebra
  • Mathematics
    • Measurement/Geometry

Standards

  • Geometry
    • 4.G.1 - Draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles.
    • 5.G.1-2 - Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Creative Commons License

CC BY
CC BY: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.

Conditions

CoolMath: for teachers and students there is something called "fair use." Simply put, fair use is the exception that allows teachers and students to use (within some very restrictive guidelines) copyrighted materials for educational purposes in the classroom….[the following is forbidden] downloading or printing a portion of a website for classroom use instead of visiting the site “live” so that the publisher can receive the income from the online ads. For CalculatorSoup:If you are an educator in a non-commercial capacity, you may: 1.Use copies of illustrations, graphics or text for educational purposes as long as you also provide attribution to the resource in the form of a URL or link to the Website page(s), 2.Provide or display copies or annotated copies of the Website content for educational purposes as long as you also provide attribution to the Website page(s) in the form of a URL or link to the Website page(s), 3.Demonstrate educational concepts using Website calculators or widgets as long as you also provide attribution to the Website page(s) in the form of a URL or link to the Website page(s).

AI Reference

ChatGPT was used in creating this lesson plan
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OTAN activities are funded by contract CN240137 from the Adult Education Office, in the Career & College Transition Division, California Department of Education, with funds provided through Federal P.L., 105-220, Section 223. However, OTAN content does not necessarily reflect the position of that department or the U.S. Department of Education.