Linear Functions

Subject:
This unit is designed for a ninth-grade Algebra 1 class.
Topic
The Unit covers linear functions, linear equations (slope), and graphing
Student Characteristics

The class is comprised of 23 students with the following racial profile: Twelve African
American, six Caucasian (non-Hispanic), two Hispanic, and three Asian. One student is
identified as ADHD (one Asian) and is accommodated under 504 accommodations. There are
three ELL students (one Asian and two Hispanic).

The classroom is located within an inner-city school built 51 years ago. The overhead projector
is in working condition. The teacher has been provided with a laptop and PowerPoint projector.
The room is also fairly spacious. This is a regular Algebra class. There are about eleven students
on the honor role.

Time
The unit will be covered over a 10-day period. The class period is 90 minutes in length.
Unit Goals

This unit addresses the linear relations and functions component of the North Carolina Standard
Course of Study (NCSCOS) Competency Goal 4: “The learner will understand and use linear
relations and functions to solve problems,” and more specifically:

Objectives 4.01 Use linear functions or inequalities to model and solve problems; justify results.
a. Solve using tables, graphs, and algebraic properties.
b. Interpret constants and coefficients in the context of the problem.
Enduring and Overarching Understandings

Students should understand that equations are used to represent functions, slope represents a rate
of change as a correlation between two variables, and that graphs provide a visual representation
of complex information that can be easily understood.

Essential Questions
1.What is a relation?
2. What is a function?
3. What is a variable (dependant and independent)

4.What is an equation?
5.How do I solve an equation?
6.How can equations help me with real-life situations?
 7. What are linear equations?
8. What is rate of change and what can show me the rate of change?
9. How do I find and express slope?
10. Where do I see evidence of slope and why might I want to calculate it?
11. Can linear equations (slope) be visually represented?

12.How are slope and equations represented on a graph?

Key Knowledge and Skills
1.
Students will be able to set up and solve equations related to real life.
2.
Students will be able to identify and calculate slope and interpret it as a rate of change in
an everyday life situation.
3.
Students will be able to graph by hand and on the calculator equations and slopes.
4.

Students will be able to extrapolate necessary information from word problems to set up and
solve linear equations (slope) pertaining to real-life situations and express the solution in their
own words.

Scope and Sequencing of Content

Content Outline

Day 1 Students are going to review evaluating algebraic expressions and equations. Students will learn
and practice solving simple equations and algebraic. Students will take a Unit Pretest to assess
the prior knowledge.

Day 2 Students will learn the concepts of slope and constant rate of change and practice solving
linear functions and equations.
Day 3 Students will use their knowledge of slope and constant rate of change to create their own
problems and then solve each others problems.
Day 4 Instruction and guided practice on graphing linear equations by hand
Day 5 Introduction to using the TI-83 to Graph
Day 6 Whole class review on solving and interpreting equations and functions
Day 7 Whole class review on graphing linear equations and using calculators to help verify

answers

Day 8 Instruction and practice on understanding, solving, and creating word problems

Day 9 Application of skills through solving word problems

Day 10 Review entire unit in the form of a review game for a Unit Test