What's Happening in the Middle School?
MS Math Linear Equation Project
St. Luke’s Middle School Math Teacher Jay Blau gave a recent linear equation project to his students. Here’s how he described the assignment:
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The linear equation project began by asking each student to sketch a drawing on a Cartesian grid that had to contain a minimum of 10 straight line segments. After getting their drawing approved, students then prepared an organizational sheet that gave the endpoints and domain for each segment. They used those endpoints to calculate the equation for each line in slope intercept form. Upon completion of the equations, they entered them into Desmos, an online calculator, along with the corresponding domain for each function, producing the final product.
The linear regression unit was for my algebra classes. There were three different choices. All three choices required students to analyze data to see if it was linear, using the tools of the calculator. The students learned how to create scatter plots, calculate correlation coefficient, find the regression equation for each linear model, and use the tables to enter and calculate functions. For one of the projects, they analyzed distance versus cost of 10 airline trips. For another, they compared the statistics of Tom Brady with the statistics of Peyton Manning for the years 2001 to 2010 and used that data to make predictions for other years. The last choice was to study one of three sports teams: Real Madrid, the Baltimore Ravens, or Monsters University to see if there was correlation between things like shots taken versus goals scored.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 35 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Center for Leadership builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
