"How will we ever use this in life?" Do you remember asking this question in your high school math class? The concept of slope as a rate of change can be hard to understand. Using pre-made time/distance graphs can help, but students do not relate to generic information.
My students live in rural South Carolina.
Over 60% live in poverty. This high school serves about 1400 students from as far as 30 miles away. The earliest bus pickup is before 6 am, and the last drop-off is 5:30 pm. These students have trouble grasping the impact education can have on their lives because their worldview is limited to life in rural South Carolina.
My Project
A calculator based ranger system allows students to collect real-time data based on their movements. This data can then be transformed into a graph. Students will be able to connect their movements to the slope on the graph, thus clarifying the concept of slope as a rate of change. Using the graph, students will write a story explaining their movements. Literacy is important in all areas of life, so writing stories in math will help students develop strong communication skills. Having this technology available will motivate the students by creating a personal connection to the concept and allowing them choice in demonstrating their knowledge.
Students that make a personal connection to the information taught are more likely to remember it and be able to apply it later on.
Slope is a concept that is built upon not only in elementary algebra, but in many future math courses. It is a concept that must be understood to be successful in math classes throughout high school. Having this technology will help our students increase their knowledge, create enthusiasm for the content, and set them up for success throughout high school.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Reynolds and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.