Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Discovering Derivatives Name: Cason Nicholson

Content Area: Calculus Grade Level: 12
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
4.0
Students demonstrate an understanding of the formal definition of the derivative of a function at a point and the notion
of differentiability:
4.1
Students demonstrate an understanding of the derivative of a function as the slope of the tangent line to the graph
of the function.
4.2
Students demonstrate an understanding of the interpretation of the derivative as an instantaneous rate of change.
Students can use derivatives to solve a variety of problems from physics, chemistry, economics, and so forth that
involve the rate of change of a function.
Big Ideas/Unit Goals:
- Why do we need derivatives?
-How do we use derivatives?
Derivatives will become essential in future calculus material through applications in curve sketching, optimization problems, instantaneous rates of
change, etc. Derivatives will play a vital role in physics, engineering, and differential equations.
Unit Summary:
Students will learn where and how a derivative was derived. From this, they will demonstrate understanding for the 3 situations where a derivative is used.
Lastly, they will learn how to implement this knowledge to solve application problems from a series of different subjects. Overall, students will come to
understand exactly what a derivative is and why it is useful in the real world.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level: Formative: Summative:
Ticket In The Door assignments Quiz Graphic Organizer Project
Webercise Presentation
Flashcards
Guided Notes
Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence
Students understand how a (Assessments):
derivative is derived Students demonstrate:
1) the formal definition of a
derivative
2) understanding of
differentiability
Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence:
Students understand the Students demonstrate:
applications of a derivative 1) knowledge of the 3
situations where a
derivative is used
2) Exactly how it applies in
all 3 categories
Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)
Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence:
Students understand how Students demonstrate:
to apply derivatives 1) use of a derivative in a
pure math sense
2) use of a derivative in
world applications
Unit Resources:
Textbook, Guided Notes, Ticket in the Door, Computers/Tablets, QuizStar, GeoGebra.
Useful Websites:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/DerivativeIntro.aspx
https://www.wolframalpha.com/
https://www.desmos.com/calculator
http://webspace.ship.edu/msrenault/GeoGebraCalculus/derivative_as_a_function.html
Lesson Activities:
1) A Guided Notes page will encourage students to discover how a derivative was founded. This
worksheet will contain information that guides students along the path of discovering an expression for
finding the instantaneous rate of change of a particular graph. It will contain guided instruction with gaps
requiring the students to work together to fill in the gaps and make the discovery themselves.
2) At the end of class, discuss with students the details of the Research Project, and assign groups.
Lesson Activities:
1) Once students uncover the formal definition of a derivative, we can move on to solving particular
problems. Each group will be given a particular function, and asked to find the derivative at particular
points. They will draw what these represent on their original graphs and present their findings with the
class.
2) Students will complete a webercise activity. This requires students to browse through three separate
websites each explaining what a derivative is and providing tools to explain how they operate.
3) As a homework activity, explain to students that they need to generate a series of flashcards for the
key vocabulary from the chapter. They may create the flashcards on index cards, or they may use a digital
site to create them. Remind students of the online quiz that due by the end of tomorrow.
Lesson Activities:
2) Graphic Organizer: Students will be divided up into groups and asked to create their own organizer
that describes the three important aspects of a derivative. In their groups they will theorize with one
another and plan out how they want to create their organizer. From here they will either use a sheet of
paper or generate their graphic organizer through Popplet.
3) Notecard Rotation: Students will be divided up into groups. Each team will get a notecard will an
application problem requiring derivatives to solve. Once students reach a solution, they will detail the
steps required and the final answer. After a certain time, groups will rotate notecards.