Education Commons^™

Evaluating Functions And Their Domain And Range - 8th/9th Grade Algebra, Melanie R. Webb

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The goal of this algebra unit is to solidify student understanding of functions and ensure they can express domain and range for discrete and continuous functions. Students will also be expected to evaluate functions. The unit includes lesson plans for 10 class days along with many supplemental materials including activities, pre-test, data tracker, and quiz. The function unit culminates with a performance assessment (rubric included) where students create their own function machine and complete an accompanying document to show the depth of their understanding.

Improving Elementary Mathematics And Science Teaching And Learning: Lessons From A School-University Partnership, Patricia J. Norman, J. Nordine

Education Faculty Research

The challenges of teaching elementary mathematics and science, particularly in urban settings, have been well documented. While evidence exists that sustained professional development in mathematics and science can promote inquiry-oriented instruction and bolster student achievement, little has been written about the particular challenges associated with offering differentiated professional development through school-university partnerships. This paper examines the impact on student achievement and teacher practice when university teacher educators launched a 3-year science and mathematics professional development initiative in grades 3-5 at one of the university's elementary partner school campuses. Our intention was to create a ''constructivist'' professional learning initiative where the …

Converting And Ordering Rational Numbers [6th Grade], Danielle Kunetz, Melanie Webb

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The goal of this unit is for students to understand that numbers have equivalencies in many representations and in order to compare rational numbers, they must be expressed using the same representation.

Throughout the unit, students compare and order rational numbers first within the same representation, and then learn to convert between representations to compare numbers between different forms.

The unit culminates with the students using what they have learned to analyze statistics of a basketball team in order to form a starting line-up with what they perceive to be the best players on the team.

Some supplementary materials were …

This Graph Is Speaking To Me; How Do I Listen? [8th Grade], Matthew Patty

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit is written to address the 8th Grade Mathematics TEKS focused around statistics. Students will begin with an exploratory lesson in which they develop the requirements of a valid survey. They will then research and design three separate surveys that could be used to make claims about a population in their area. Next, students will pair up and carry out a survey at a local location. After the surveys, the students will bring their data back to the classroom and create presentations using at least four different types of graphical representations. Accompanying each graphical representation must be at least …

Measurement: Surviving Our Multi-Dimensional World, Courtney Bryand

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

Measurement: Surviving our Multi-Dimensional World is a measurement unit with a “Survivor” theme. Many components are based on the project based learning activity Stranded! The unit begins and ends in a survivor scenario - students are stranded on a deserted island and must use a piece of scrap metal (an irregular figure) to design a device to catch fresh rain water so they can survive until they are rescued.

Throughout the unit, students build understanding of measurement concepts through hands on learning activities and collaboration with peers. Students learn to use measurement concepts to describe the world around them. The …

Shapes, Beth Morrow, Anne Peppers

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

This unit addresses the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines “Child recognizes/describes common shapes” (MVC1) and “Child slides, flips, turns shapes to demonstrate they remain the same” (MVC4), as well as the math standard “Child covers an area with shapes.” At the conclusion of this unit, students will know:

- names and features (number of sides/angles) of common shapes: rectangle, square, triangle, circle, oval, and rhombus; and

- shapes remain the same regardless of their position;

and will be able to:

- identify and describe common shapes: rectangle, square, triangle, circle, oval, and rhombus

- cover an area with shapes and explain how …

Bits And Pieces -- Working With Fractions [6th-8th Grade], Kathleen Kilday

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this unit, students will be introduced to fractions. Students will have practice identifying commonly used fractions using physical models, pictures, numbers, and word problems. Using these skills, students will recognize equivalent fractions and be able to sort fractions from largest to smallest and vice versa. Students will also be introduced to adding and subtracting these commonly used fractions. To demonstrate their knowledge of fractions, students will be asked to complete a performance assessment. The students will be given a recipe and 2 situations. The students will use the given information to amend the recipe for the appropriate number of …

Linear Inequalities [11th Grade], Maeve Goetz

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

The students will be introduced to linear inequalities and systems of linear inequalities. The main understandings that I want to develop in my students are that there are many methods to solving math problems and that solving the problem is not always enough (mathematically correct solutions are not always the best solutions). They will need to analyze the solutions they develop to determine whether or not their answer is reasonable. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of linear equalities by solving them algebraically, graphically, and using a table. Students will compare and contrast linear equations to linear inequalities. They will explore …

What Is Measurement? [8th Grade], Catherine Risinger

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this 8th grade unit, students will bridge their understanding of measurement from 7th grade Math to a new level which is required for the further development of Mathematical Skills. Students will gain a better understanding on the needed skills when solving for both direct and indirect measurement. Through the performance assessment students will design in small groups a 4,000 square foot home. Not only will students complete a scale drawing of their design they will also be building their design as well. This allows students to appreciate the amount of details that are required in the buildings that we …

What Are Rational Numbers? [8th Grade], Catherine Risinger

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

In this pre-algebra unit of rational numbers, students will further their understanding of rational numbers and its application to everyday experiences. Pre-algebra is the stepping stone to high school mathematics. Therefore, it is imperative for students to recognize and demonstrate that there are appropriate situations in which rational numbers should be used and their usefulness to us. In the culminating performance task, students are asked to develop and present a plan for the BBQ that they will be hosting for a specified number of people. The BBQ scenario allows students to apply their knowledge of rational numbers in order to …