Classroom Connections Professional Development

Content SymposiumJuly 31 - August 1, 2006

Lorie JohnstonHigh School Math

Newell High School

Algebra Graph Activity

Dancing GraphsChoreograph Dance Routine

The students will use graphs of algebra equations to make a power point slide show. The students will model the graphs and take digital photos of each model. They will create a dance routine and present it in a slide show.

Dancing Graphs

Objectives• Graph and model

linear equations• Graph and model

quadratic equations• Graph and model

absolute value equations

Dancing Graphs

Procedure• Use the graphing calculator to graph various types of

equations. Sketch and label the graphs in Windows Journal.

• Model the graphs. Take digital pictures of the modeling.

• Create a power point slide show using the digital pictures. Represent each of the types of graphs.

• Choreograph your slide show. Use each of the graph models as a dance step.

Dancing Graphs

AssessmentProject Rubric

Self Assessment using the rubric.

Teachers assessment using the rubric.

Lesson Presentation Items

Dancing Graphs1. Content in Tablet

I already have the content on my computer as a word document. I will print it in Windows Journal and use the projector to show the students.

Lesson Presentation Items

Dancing Graphs2. How students receive the

information

I will send the students an email with an attachment explaining the project. The criteria and project due dates will be listed on my webpage.

Lesson Presentation ItemsDancing Graphs

3. Student Engagement

I will show the students sample graphs from each of the different categories. They will copy the information and the sketches of each graph into their notes using their algebra folder in My Notebook

Lesson Presentation Items

Dancing Graphs4. Students submit work for evaluation

Each group of students will use the projector to demonstrate their completed power point presentation. Their slide show must meet the requirements described in the rubric. The completed project will be a slide show in which the students are using a dance routine complete with music to model the graphs.

Lesson Presentation ItemsDancing Graphs

5. Evaluate the student workEach student will use the rubric to evaluate their own group. They will save a copy of the rubric in their algebra project folder.I will grade the projects by using the same rubric that the students use for self assessment. The rubric will be a word document. I will print it to Windows Journal and complete it electronically.

Lesson Presentation Items

Dancing Graphs6. Return the student work

The students will be creating a power point presentation. The slide show will be presented to the entire class. After grading the project I will send the completed rubric to the students in each group by using an email attachment.

Lesson Presentation Items

Dancing Graphs7. Computer management

The students will close their computers several times during this project. The computers will be closed for each of the following. Students physically model the graphs and take digital photos of their group for each graph. Students watch the power point presentations from the other groups. Discussion time as students provide input after viewing the presentation.

Lesson Presentation Items

Dancing Graphs8. Classroom management--ProblemsThis is an activity in which the students really get involved. There are still challenges to classroom management. Some of the problems are the traditional ones such as following directions, staying on task and using time wisely. There are also some problems that are unique to this activity. One problem will be time management. By using 1 digital camera for the pictures for each group only 1 person will be downloading photos. Another problem could result if each student creates part of the power point---putting it together in 1 file.

Lesson Presentation Items

Dancing GraphsClassroom management-Possible

solutions Time management---Have students decide in advance which slides to create. Have each student in the group download the photos for their slide. Each student can be working on their slide --- text, graphs etc. while waiting for the camera. This would require collaboration and and advance planning of color, background and other items to include.

Coordinating material to create 1 power point---Students will have to email their slide to the group presenter or save it to something like a jump drive to transfer it to the presenters PC. (continued)

Lesson Presentation ItemsDancing Graphs

Classroom management-Possible solutions Staying on task & Using time wisely---Have students

close computers when listening to directions and discussions. Provide a list of duties and allow each group time to divide up responsibilities so that everyone has a job. Set deadlines so that students have to keep busy.

This project is one that we would do later in the year. By that time students should have an idea of procedure, rules and grading expectations. The basic classroom management things should already be established.

Lesson Presentation ItemsDancing Graphs

9. Is this lesson repeatableThis is an project that is somewhat unique and does not seem to be easily repeatable. However there are definitely parts of it that I can modify to work with my algebra and my other classes.I use the digital camera for students in geometry to find height of objects by using indirect measurement. Students take pictures standing beside a tall structure while holding a meter stick. Students could determine the height of the object by using proportions with the measurements in the picture. I could add a requirement about presenting their information by power point.I also do a crime scene investigation in geometry where I could do a similar type of activity.

Lesson Presentation ItemsDancing Graphs

10. Other Considerations Expectations: Laptop Usage I currently use a wide array of learning devices such as lectures, notes, hands on activities, graphing calculators and videos. I know many of them can be converted to using with the Tablet PC, but I am concerned that because we are a pilot school we will be expected to use our tablet for everything. Organization and Presentation: I think that we will need to develop a system with continuity for saving files, opening files, using My Notebook and all of the other considerations with going to the 1 to 1 initiative. WE NEED IDEAS ON HOW TO MAKE THE TRANSITION AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE.

Dancing Graphs

Y = 4

Y = -X + 4