 My math catchphrase is “connecting knowledge with understanding”, which you can read more about HERE. Every time I create an activity, this phrase is what I think about. It helps me stay focused on the true goal and outcome of what I want for each activity. There is one activity in particular that really embodies this statement. It’s an activity that I’ve used over and over with my students for different types of functions. At first, students tend to have productive struggle with this activity. BUT once they get the hang of it, they realize how making these connections helps them fully understand functions and their graphs. I call this activity Name That Function. What is Name That Function? Name That Function is an activity where students analyze graphs of functions and make connections to their characteristics and the function that represents each graph. Students are given a fill-in-the blank table where some information is already given. Then they match the graphs to the characteristics and fill in the missing information. There are different activities based on the type of function being studied. Each activity includes a print and digital version. Here are the different types of Name That Function activities and what attributes are reviewed: Linear Functions slope, y-intercept, x-intercept, points on the line, slope-intercept form, point-slope form, standard form, and parallel and perpendicular lines (optional).
Characteristics of Functions domain, range, intercepts, local min, local max, intervals of increase and decrease, end behavior, parent functions, continuity, and evaluating a function from a graph Rational Functions factor and simplify, vertical asymptotes, holes, horizontal asymptotes, x-intercepts, y-intercepts, and domain Parent Functions domain, range, symmetry, intervals of increase and decrease, end behavior, and the parent function equation  Digital Version Why is this activity helpful? I cannot tell you how many times students treat equations and graphs as separate entities that have no connection. When, in fact, everything about them is 100% connected! I think this happens because we, as teachers, scaffold the content, and in doing so separate each aspect of a function into separate lessons. Which makes them appear disconnected. Great news! This activity brings an entire function unit together, so students can understand functions based on the equation, attributes, and graph as a whole. Do students enjoy this activity? Yes, my students enjoy making these connections and feel more prepared for assessments because of it! But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here are some reviews from other math teachers that have used these activities in their classroom as well: Great activity! Worked out perfectly in my stations and my students were very engaged! Thank you for sharing your creativity with me! – TexasMath4Success Excellent resource! Really helped my students make the connections I wanted them to make. Thank you! – Passion 4 Mathin This was a great activity after our introductory lesson. Students were able to compare and contrast different types of quadratics and it reinforced the concepts of min/max and vertex form. – Anna K. I used this as a group test in my class. Students loved the activity and we’re challenged to really understand all aspects of quadratic functions. – The Square Root of Teaching Great activity - my kids were able to apply their understanding and had great math conversations while they were working together. – Heather K. Such rich discussions took place with this activity. It worked great as a chapter review. – Michelle E. Was very helpful for my students of different levels, engaging – Shan H B. Perfect activity to test students knowledge and application of properties of quadratics and how they affect both graph and equations. – Grove Math This resource had just the rigor I was looking for! Thank you! I had my students use it in groups. I used part A for my on-level class and part B for my honors class. Great resource! – Theresa Simmons This activity engages students to understanding characteristics of function families. Great discourse and enrichment activity. – Tony R. Used for an in-class activity. Engaging and fun for students. Activity was thorough with great examples included. – Kristina R. Students had to think to get the whole picture. Thanks! – Lynn S. Can’t wait to get your hands on a Name That Function?! No problem, I have TWO waiting for you for FREE! If you are NEW to Algebra and Beyond, CLICK on either image below to sign up and receive the activities. If you are already part of the Algebra and Beyond Community, click HERE and use the member passcode to access the activities.
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What are iMath activities? iMath is a series of activities designed with the intent to engage students in math by putting a fun twist on their favorite phone apps* - Facebook, iMessage, Instagram, and Tumblr. Each iMath Activity covers different skills in a unique way. Students add each activity to their phone/tablet template that can be on display in the classroom. Below is a description of ERRORGRAM, which is meant to model Instagram *None of these activities are actual digital apps or affiliated with the app they model.  
What is the purpose?
Error analysis is a method used to identify common mistakes made in mathematics and the cause of the incorrect answer. According to Robert Marzano, error analysis is at the top of the higher level thinking skills and an aid in conceptual understanding. This ability to check for correctness is a big key to achieving math proficiency. It’s awesome to see the critical thinking that happens during these activities! How do I use this in my classroom? Again, just like Doodlr, this activity can be used in various ways. I have used it in a station, after an assessment, or when a student has completed all tasks for the day and needs an extra activity to work on. Print some off and have them available for whenever your students are in need of some extra critical thinking! Which app does this activity model? Errorgram is meant to be similar to Instagram, which has rapidly become one of this generations favorite apps. Errorgram is an engaging way for students to determine the mistake a famous person made in a math problem they posted on their Instagram feed. Of course, that person didn’t really post it, but it’s fun for students to feel like they are fixing a mistake by someone they like or admire. Students need to explain the mistake and then correct it. Students can even add hashtags that are fitting for the post. 
How do you do this activity?
Students will… Step 1 – Need one Errorgram sheet. Step 2 – Analyze the worked out problem and find the error the person made. Step 3 – State the error and find the correct answer by working out the problem. Step 4 – Add the sheet to the phone/tablet template and hang the activity on the wall or bulletin board. Oh, yeah!…students become analytical thinkers using Errorgram! Add more iMath activities to show mathematical growth and use for review at the end of the year.
What’s included in each Mathbook activity?
Want to learn about the other iMath Activities? Read about them here: MATHBOOK (Facebook) iSTEP (iMessage) DOODLR (Tumblr) Click below to go directly to ALL my MATHBOOK activities in my Teachers Pay Teachers store: 
What are iMath activities? iMath is a series of activities designed with the intent to engage students in math by putting a fun twist on their favorite phone apps* - Facebook, iMessage, Instagram, and Tumblr. Each iMath activity covers different skills in a unique way. Students add each activity to their phone/tablet template that can be on display in the classroom. Below is a description of DOODLR, which is meant to model Tumblr. *None of these activities are actual digital apps or affiliated with the app they are modeling. 
What is the purpose?
Making connections! Sometimes students can best understand concepts when they connect visual graphs, symbols, etc. with words. This activity gives students the opportunity to do just that in a creative and fun way. If your students already love doodle notes, then they for sure will love this activity! Students are able to let their creative side shine in this activity. How do I use this in my classroom? This really can be used at any time, which makes it an amazing activity to have available. I have used it in a station, after an assessment, or when a student has completed all tasks for the day and needs an extra activity to work on. Hey, anytime can be doodle time! Which app does this activity model? Doodlr is meant to represent the Tumblr App. Students are given a sheet to connect symbols and words. Ok, maybe Tumblr isn’t the most popular app among this generation, but doodling is definitely trending right now!!!
How do you do this activity?
Step 1 – Students will need one Doodlr sheet and the word bank to help determine terms and phrases associated with each symbol or graph. The word bank sheet can be shared within a group of students. Step 2 – On each sheet, students write words and/or phrases that are associated with symbols or parts of a graph or equation. There is extra room for doodles that help make these connections! Step 3 – Add the sheet to the phone/tablet template and hang the activity on the wall or bulletin board. Presto...students are able to make valid math connections both visually and verbally! Add more iMath activities to show mathematical growth and use for review at the end of the year.
What’s included in each Doodlr activity?
Want to learn about the other iMath Activities? You can! I will be blogging about each activity. The next post will be about Errorgram (Instagram). Check out the other posts on Mathbook and iStep. Click below to go directly to ALL my iMATH activities in my Teachers Pay Teachers store: 
What are iMath activities?
iMath is a series of activities designed with the intent to engage students in math by putting a fun twist on their favorite phone apps* - Facebook, iMessage, Instagram, and Tumblr. Each iMath activity covers different skills in a unique way. Students add each activity to their phone/tablet template that can be on display in the classroom. Below is a description of iSTEP, which is meant to model iMessage. *None of these activities are actual digital apps or affiliated with the app they are modeling. 
What is the purpose?
COMMUNICATION! Often students can solve a math equation, but have a difficult time verbally explaining what they are doing. This activity addresses this problem. Each student is to “text” with a friend who needs help with a math concept. Their classmate asks how to solve an equation and the student has to explain each step needed in order to get a solution. Then their classmate “texts” back showing the algebra they did to complete the step. I LOVE how these activities have transformed how students think and discuss math in class!!! How do I use this in my classroom? The day before an assessment I set up review stations. Each station has an activity that covers a different concept students will see on the assessment. I use iStep at one station and other stations may include Battle My Math Ship, Name That Function, or an activity from some of my favorite TpT friends: All Things Algebra, Mrs E Teaches Math, Free to Discover, Scaffolded Math and Science, or Math Giraffe. Which app does this activity model? iStep’s design is similar to texting in iMessage, WhatsApp, or any other form of texting app. Let’s face it, texting is one of the most popular ways people communicate with each other in this day and age. So let’s have students do it with math too! 
How do you do this activity?
Each student will… Step 1 – Need one iStep sheet. Step 2 – Read the question in the first bubble on the left, which is meant to be a text from their classmate. Step 3 – Use the first text bubble on the right to write in words the first step needed to solve the problem. Step 4 – Each student then trades sheets with a classmate. The classmate is to follow the student’s written step and use the second text bubble on the left to show their algebra. Step 5 – Students trade sheets back and forth until the math problem is solved. Step 6 – The last two text bubbles are for students to write a positive message and a closing. Step 7 – Add the sheet to the phone/tablet template and hang the activity on the wall or bulletin board. BOOM...students are able to communicate with each other on how to solve math equations! Add more iMath activities to show mathematical growth and use for review at the end of the year. 
What’s included in each iStep activity?
Want to learn about the other iMath Activities? You can! I will be blogging about each activity every week for the next few weeks. The next post will be about Doodlr (Tumblr). Check out the last post on Mathbook. If you’d like to try an iMath activity for FREE, you can find the following in my Resource Library, so sign up here:
Click below to go directly to ALL my iMATH activities in my Teachers Pay Teachers store:
What are iMath activities?
iMath is a series of activities designed with the intent to engage students in math by putting a fun twist on their favorite phone apps* - Facebook, iMessage, Instagram, and Tumblr. Each iMath activity covers different skills in a unique way. Students add each activity to their phone/tablet template that can be on display in the classroom. Below is a description of MATHBOOK, which is meant to model Facebook. *None of these activities are actual digital apps or affiliated with the app they are modeling. 
What is the purpose?
As teachers we all love when students show mastery of a concept! The Mathbook activities give students a chance to demonstrate this mastery in a fun and collaborative way. Each sheet has an “I can” statement that targets a specific learning objective. For example, a Mathbook sheet might state, “I can solve…two-step equations!”. Each student then solves the equation to show they have mastered this specific concept. How do I use this in my classroom? I like to provide students with something to do after they complete a quiz or test, so they don’t just sit there or do something that distracts students that are still completing the assessment. This activity is perfect for them to work on at this time. Which app does this activity model? Mathbook’s design is similar to a Facebook post. Even if a student doesn’t use Facebook, this activity is engaging and fun for everyone! My students really like picking out their icons because it gives the activity a personal touch that most math activities do not offer. Also, receiving feedback from a peer helps create a positive classroom environment. 
How do you do this activity?
Each student will… Step 1 – Need one phone/tablet template, one Mathbook sheet, and two profile picture icons. Step 2 – Color and glue one of their icons onto the top of the Mathbook sheet and then write their name and the date. Step 3 – Read the “I can” statement and color in an Emoji of their choice. Step 4 – Demonstrate their mastery by solving the equation, identifying parts of the graph, etc. This will depend on the concept that is being targeted. Step 5 – Switch their sheet with another student. Their partner will then check their work, add their own icon, write their name, and write a positive comment. Step 6 – Return the activity to their partner so they can add the Mathbook activity to their phone/tablet template. Voilá!….students now have a cool way to demonstrate their mastery and hang it up for all to see! Add more iMath activities to show mathematical growth and use for review at the end of the year.
What’s included in each Mathbook activity?
Want to learn about the other iMath Activities? You can! I will be blogging about each activity every week for the next three weeks. The next post will be aboutiStep (iMessage), so stay tuned! If you’d like to try an iMath activity for FREE, you can find the following in my Resource Library, so sign up here:
Click below to go directly to ALL my MATHBOOK activities in my Teachers Pay Teachers store:
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