Group: Melody Smiley and Daniel Smith

Subject: 8th Grade Algebra

Lesson Cycle
Lesson Title/Topic:

Independent vs Dependent variables

Target Concept: Describe independent and dependent quantities in functional

relationships
Standards/Rationale: 111.32.b.1.A
Lesson Objectives:

Assessment:

Students will be able to demonstrate

Based on the evaluation of posters
understanding of independent and dependent presentations.
variables by designing a poster depicting a real
world example of independent and dependent
variables with 85% accuracy.
Materials: Different sizes/weights of paper, Guided Practice worksheet, Independent Practice
worksheet, Poster directions, flip charts, markers, pre-cut Exit Tickets
Lesson Cycle: (Direct instruction)
The teacher will:
Focus/Mental Set:
Tell students that the topic for the day
is independent and dependent
variables.
Have students select a partner.
Hand out different weight papers to
each group.
Tell the class that the goal is to create
something that, when thrown, will go
the furthest.
Give the class one minute to create
something out of the paper.
Line the students up at the back of the
classroom and have then throw their
paper.
Determine which groups paper went
the furthest.
Ask the students for feedback as to
why one paper project creation have
gone further than the others.
Record the answers on the board.
Ask the students to stand if they think
that the distance the paper went would
be considered the dependent or
independent part of an equation.
Review which attributes were
dependent and which were
independent

The student will:

Select a partner.
Make something out of the paper provided
keeping in mind that the goal is for their
paper to go the furthest when thrown.
Throw the paper creation when instructed
to.
Provide feedback when asked as to what
attributes might have made the paper
creation of one team go further than the
others.
Respond to teachers prompt to stand if
they think that the distance the paper went
would be considered the dependent or
independent part of the equation.
*Teacher note - Distance will be
determined by attributes of the object
created -such as the shape of plane, how it
is thrown, weight of paper, or experience
making airplanes or other objects.

Teacher Input:

Define independent and dependent

variables and provide examples.

Students will take notes in their math

journal on independent and dependent
variables

Independent variable cause. Factors that can

affect the outcome. An independent variable is
exactly what it sounds like. It is a variable that
stands alone and isn't changed by the other
variables you are trying to measure. For
example, someone's age might be an
independent variable. Other factors (such as
what they eat, how much they go to school,
how much television they watch) aren't going
to change a person's age.
Dependent variable effect. It is something
that depends on other factors. For example, a
test score could be a dependent variable
because it could change depending on several
factors such as how much you studied or how
much sleep you got the night before you took
the test.
You are looking for the relationship of how
independent variables effect dependent
variables.
Activity:
Activity:

Break the class up into groups of 3

students.
Give each group 5 minutes to come up
with a real world example of a dependent
variable with associated independent

variables.
At the end of the 5 minutes each group

will be given time to explain what they

came up with to the class.
Teacher will facilitate a discussion.

Working in groups, the students will

spend 5 minutes coming up with a real
world example of dependent and
independent variables.
At the end of the 5 minutes each group
will be asked to present their example.
Class will discuss the examples.

Guided Practice:

Have the students select a partner to work

with.
Hand out the Guided Practice worksheet
and give the class 10 minutes to complete

the worksheet.
At the end of the 10 minutes call on
individual groups to share their answer to
a problem.

The students will select partners.

The students will work with their partner
to complete the problems on the Guided
Practice worksheet.
When selected, each group will provide
their answer for a teacher selected
problem.

Independent Practice:

Hand out the independent practice

Students will listen to the instructions for

Hand out the independent practice

worksheet.
Explain the expectations of the project.
Have the class work with the same group
as the guided practice exercise.
Have each group produce a poster to be
presented to the class that uses pictures to
show the relationship between dependent
and independent variables.

Closure:
The teacher will have the students work
with their shoulder partner during a Round
Robin activity to do a quick review of the
concept learned.
The teacher will hand out exit tickets with
a single problem requiring them to identify
the dependent and independent variables.
The teacher will pick-up exit tickets as the
students leave class.

Options:
Enrichment:
Modifications/Correctives:

References:
Page 1 of 3

Students will listen to the instructions for

the independent practice exercise and ask
questions to clarify any confusion.
Each group will create a poster based on
instructions provided on the Independent
Practice worksheet.
Each group will present their solution to
the class.

The students will work with their shoulder

partner to review independent and dependent
variables.

Students will turn in their exit ticket on the

way out the door.

Reteach: