ALGEBRA AND BEYOND
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Types of Resources
    • Resource Library Information
    • Resource Library - Members Area
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Instructional Videos

CONNECTING KNOWLEDGE
with UNDERSTANDING 
{ONE LESSON AT A TIME}

USING GRAPHING CALCULATORS IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL MATH

6/13/2022

0 Comments

 
Students learn tips and tricks to help them check their math work and solutions. The graphing calculator can be instant feedback to help students confirm answers or catch mistakes. There are so many topics to use it for... systems of equations, linear inequalities, evaluating functions, rational functions, factoring, and so many more!!!
​
I am a HUGE advocate for teaching students how to use a graphing calculator to check their answers. In fact, it’s probably one of the MOST important skills I’ve taught my students. Yes, I know…being able to find a solution algebraically is extremely important, and of course, I teach them that. And, of course, I require them to show their work. BUT, when they turn in an assessment, I want them to be confident that their answers are correct. Feedback is extremely helpful, and by using the graphing calculator it can be instant!


​
You know, I probably should have titled this post “The Lost Art of Checking Your Answers”. Sometimes I simply don’t understand why students don’t check their answers?!?! I know that some students are just too “lazy” to check, algebraically. Yes, I said it! BUT, at they could at least use their calculator to confirm or disaffirm their answer. Just think, if students were able to check every problem BEFORE they turn in their work? Then, they would know immediately if they have an answer right or wrong…and if wrong, they can fix it!

There are soooooo many math topics that students can use the calculator to check their answers. Here are just a few ways:
  • Factoring: graph and check for zeros
  • Converting fractions to decimals and vice versa
  • Inverse Functions: graph two functions to see if they reflect over y = x
  • Linear Inequalities: use shading features on the calculator
  • Radicals: type in the original radical expression and your simplified radical expression to see if the answers match
  • Evaluate Functions: enter the function in Y= and use the YVAR function to evaluate for a specific number
  • Rational Functions: view asymptote(s), hole(s), and zeros
  • Systems of Equations: check substitution/elimination method by graphing
  • Logarithms: evaluating and confirming two statements are equal
  • AND SO MANY MORE…

​Do you want to make it easier for your students to navigate the TI-84 graphing calculator? Watch my video that covers some tips and tricks you may not know about the TI-84. You will also learn some great ways for students to check their algebraic answers using the calculator, as well as unique ways to graph. After all, calculators are only as smart as their user!

​To watch the VIDEO and receive FREE Graphing Calculator Reference Sheets, click on the image below:
Picture
​If you are looking for a complete bundle of all of my TI-84 or TI-Nspire calculator sheets, to help your students easily maneuver though the calculator, you can click on one of the images below:
Picture
Picture

​​These sheets will help you integrate calculators into your lessons as a central tool in developing students’ mathematical connections, conceptual understanding, and procedural fluency.
0 Comments
    Picture

    Hello there,
    ​I'm TYRA!

    I'm an educational blogger and curriculum designer. I am enthusiastic about providing creative, comprehensive, and clear resources for middle and high school math teachers. My goal is to create content that is easy to implement for the teacher, and helps students Connect Knowledge with Understanding - One Lesson at a Time.


    Looking for something specific?


    FIND ME HERE


    Categories

    All
    Favorite Classroom Things
    Free Stuff
    Graphing Calculator
    Math Activities
    Math Projects
    Math Warm Ups
    Real World Math
    Teacher Tips

    Archives

    September 2024
    July 2024
    April 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    October 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    May 2021
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016

    RSS Feed


    FOLLOW ME

    Picture

    RESOURCES


    Subscribe to Algebra and Beyond
    Want to discover new ideas, receive updates, and gain INSTANT ACCESS to the Algebra and Beyond Resource Library with over 25 free resources?!?!
    Picture
    Picture
    Students battle using their math skills to attack their opponents ships. Correct space and solution = a sunken ship. Algebra fun at it's best!

    TEACHER: And that is how you find the MIN/MAX on your calculator. *BOOM* Drop the mic! STUDENT: What do I put in Y1? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ No more of this! Give your students a great reference sheet to put in their notebook and NEVER ask you the keystrokes again!
    Parent Function Graphic Organizers - domain, range, continuity, intervals of increase/decrease, min/max, end behavior, intercepts, and the graph
    Graphic Organizer: domain, range, intercepts, asymptotes, intervals of inc/decrease, max/min, and end behavior.
    Students will create a roller coaster that demonstrates their knowledge and understanding of the following skills: • Graph a continuous function that represents a roller coaster using parent functions. • Write a piecewise-defined function to represent the entire roller coaster. • Attributes of functions: Domain/Range, Min/Max, and Intervals of Inc/Dec
COPYRIGHT ALGEBRA AND BEYOND 2016-2025
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Types of Resources
    • Resource Library Information
    • Resource Library - Members Area
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Instructional Videos