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CONNECTING KNOWLEDGE
with UNDERSTANDING 
{ONE LESSON AT A TIME}

FUNCTION AND GRAPH CONNECTIONS

5/17/2021

4 Comments

 
FREE linear equations and graphs review activity. Students make connections between different forms of linear equations, intercepts, points on a line, slope, and the graphs.

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).
Quadratic functions and graphs activity. Perfect review at the end of the unit. Helps students make connections between equations, characteristics, and graphs.

​
​Quadratic Functions

range, x-intercepts, minimum or maximum, parabola opening up or down, vertex, and finding the equation given a graph
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
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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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Parent Functions: Linear, Quadratic, Absolute Value, and Cubic
Are you already convinced that your students will LOVE this activity?! Choose the activities that best fit your curriculum:
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4 Comments
Jessica
5/26/2021 03:28:10 pm

Thapnk you

Reply
Nancy Foote link
6/29/2022 08:55:49 am

I love this. I am the Math Inteventionist for my middle school and this will be a huge help. I wish I had school tomorrow so that I could use the linear functions activity with my students right now! Thanks for providing this for us.

Reply
Tyra
6/29/2022 08:58:15 am

Yay!!! I'm so glad you are excited about this activity. :)

Reply
Nancy Foote
6/29/2022 08:58:57 am

I love Name that Function Linear. I can't wait to use it with my middle school Math Intervnetion students. It take everything that I do and organizes it so it makes sense. Thanks!

Reply



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    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.


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    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
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