Rate of Change: Reading the Slope in Every Context
Shared by A STEM Educator
Students will be able to identify, calculate, and interpret the rate of change of a linear relationship presented in tables, graphs, equations, and real-world contexts.
Lesson Overview
Students progress from reading rate of change directly from a table of values, through graphs, equations, and real-world word problems, finishing with comparing rates across multiple representations. Each task changes only one variable in the representation or context.
Materials
- Vertical whiteboards or large chart paper
- Dry-erase markers (multiple colors)
- Pencils and paper for note-taking
Scaffolded Task Progression
| Hours () | Cups sold () |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 8 |
| 3 | 12 |
How many cups are sold per hour? Show how you know.
| Hours () | Gallons used () |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 3 | 45 |
| 4 | 60 |
How many gallons are used per hour?
| Batches () | Flour in cups () |
|---|---|
| 2 | 5 |
| 4 | 10 |
| 6 | 15 |
| 8 | 20 |
How many cups of flour per batch?
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