Susan Working
Mathematics Professor
Email: susan.working@gcccd.edu
Phone: 619-644-7290
This is a fun warm up when students are learning about lines and their properties. It is appropriate for beginning algebra or as a fun and quick review for intermediate algebra students. It can also be used in Pre-Algebra when beginning to work with lines. The idea is for the students to find the 4 matching quadruplets – the graph, the table of values, the properties, and the equation of the line. You may choose to just use two sets and finding a matching pair or possibly using 3 sets of cards and find matching triplets. It will depend on what you have covered in your course.
Applicable Courses
Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra or Intermediate Algebra
Background
Plotting points, slope, slope-intercept form, graphing, intercepts
How to do this project:
You will need to copy onto cardstock the equations, the tables, the properties, and the graphs. It would be best to use separate colors for each set of cards. For example, all the graphs can be on yellow cardstock and all the equations can be on blue cardstock, etc.
Next, cut each set into squares. Remember, you only need one copy of each. I would recommend that you laminate each card if possible -- otherwise they tend to get dirty, written on, crumpled, etc. This will give you one permanent set of the cards and you should never need to copy them again.
Choose the number of sets you would like to play with (maybe just two initially). You do not need to use all of the cards in each set – pick the ones that work for you. Mix them up and pass them out to your students. Tell them to get up and try to find their matching card(s). For example, if I am a student who has the actual graph of the line, I will get up and move around the room and try to hunt down its matching equation. Once a match is found, the students should bring them to the teacher to verify the cards go together. It takes no more than 10 minutes for all students to find their match. To make it more challenging, add in a 3rd and 4th set of cards and now the students will have to find the matching triplet or quadruplet before running up to the instructor.
This activity allows students to use all learning styles – visual, audio, and kinesthetic. It is very hands-on and allows them to verbalize what they see in their card. This is a wonderful warm-up activity to get the class going.
Click on the links below to get all the material needed:
Equation Cards | Information Cards | Table Cards | Graph Cards
Susan Working
Mathematics Professor
Email: susan.working@gcccd.edu
Phone: 619-644-7290
8800 Grossmont College Drive
El Cajon, California 92020
619-644-7000
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