Model Eliciting Activity Lesson Plan

Doctor, Doctor!

By Kimberly Bailey

Doctor, Doctor!
Grade level/s
Description

Summary
8 grade Algebra Class
A local Hospital is going to build a smaller clinic for pediatrics to better
serve the growing community. They can hire doctors and nurses. The
amount the hospital can spend depends on the salaries of the doctors and
nurses. Students will work in groups as a research company hired by the
hospital to determine the amount of staff needed for the new clinic. Students
will also use their current math and critical thinking skills to research
salaries for the doctors and nurses. These previous skills will allow them to
focus on the new skills of using inequalities and system of inequalities to
determine the best number of nurses and doctors for the staff.
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Subjects

Algebra Common Core State Standards:

A-REI12 Graph the solutions to a linear inequality in two variables as a
half-plane
A-REI12 Graph the solution set to a system of linear inequalities in two
variables as the intersection of the corresponding half-planes

Instructional
Time
Materials list

3 class periods
Graph paper, ruler, colored pencils

Learning Objectives:

Write a System of Inequalities to meet the parameters of the problem.

Solve Systems of Inequalities through graphing.
Identify the bounded region for a system of inequalities that meets the parameters of the
problem.

1. Content: The students will learn how to construct, model and use linear inequalities and
system of linear inequalities to answer real-world questions.
2. Behavior: Students will create a proposal including justifications for their thinking with math
and models (graph) for the hospitals approval.
3. Condition: Students will work in groups as a company to find a solution to this real world
scenario.
4. Criterion: Students need to create a proposal that meets the parameters and contains the
math work/models needed to support their first conclusion. Students will also need to adjust
their thinking when an additional requirement is added to the parameters. Students will give a
final presentation highlighting all these skills and justification for their final product decision.

Related Standards
Algebra Standards:
A-REI12 Graph the solutions to a linear inequality in two variables as a half-plane
A-REI12 Graph the solution set to a system of linear inequalities in two variables as the
intersection of the corresponding half-planes

Guiding/Reflective Questions

How can systems of inequalities be used to represent this situation and solve the
problem?
What are the requirements for this situation?
What does the company need to know to understand your proposal?
How can I justify my choice amount of doctors and nurses?

Prior Knowledge
Students will use their knowledge of linear equations, previous inequality experiences and
critical thinking skills to improve their understanding of inequalities and to meet the hospitals
parameters for the new clinics staff.

Client Letter/Problem Statement/Reading Passage 1

Letter from a local hospital, Sacred Heart
Dear Looking Glass Research Co.,
We at Sacred Heart Hospital are looking for research to be done on determining the
best number of nurses and doctors for our new clinic. The staff number needs to meet
the following requirements:
1. The building can accommodate no more than 100 staff.
2. A minimum of 40 staff must be hired.
3. The clinic must hire at least 25 doctors.
4. The number of doctors must be at most half the number of nurses.
We look forward to seeing your proposal and justification for your suggested number
of doctors and nurses. Please include a model with your proposal.
Sincerely,

Florence Smith
Sacred Heart Hospital

Dataset 1
On graph paper, use the given parameters to write your system of inequalities and graph.
Research salaries for doctors and nurses.

Readiness/Comprehension Questions

Who is the client?

What is the problem?
What is your goal?
What are the requirements?
What math skills can you use to find a solution?
How can you justify your reasoning for your solution?
What do you need to include in your proposal?

Communication method
Proposal: communication method for each group to convey the results of their model.
Dear _______,
Our team, _____________, has determined that you should use ______________. Our
justification for this decision follows. In addition, please see our data, graphical support for our
chosen number of doctors and nurses.
1) _________,
2) __________,
3) __________.
From all this information, we have determined the appropriate number of doctors and nurses
is ___________________.
Sincerely,
__________

Client Letter 2/Problem Statement 2/Reading Passage 2

1. This is the TWIST that allows for REVISION
Dear Looking Glass Research Co.,
Thank you for your recent proposal.
After discussing the options for the number of doctors and nurses hired, it has been discovered
that the average pediatricians salary is $75,000 and the average nurses salary is $50,000. The
total amount of money the hospital can spend on salaries is $5,500,000. Thank you for your
proposal adjustments due to the new information. We look forward to reviewing your new
proposal.
Florence Smith
Sacred Heart Hospital

Dataset 2
On graph paper, use the new parameters to adjust your system of inequalities and graph the new
information.

Assessment
Formative Assessment
Groups will receive feedback through the required check-in points. There will be three required
check-in points throughout the activity. 1. Groups will need to check-in after they create their
system of inequalities and make their graph of solutions. From this they will be instructed to do
research on salaries for both doctors and nurses. When they have decided what works best, they
will make a model of their staff numbers. 2. The groups need to check-in with teacher showing
the model they have created and information supporting their selections. From this, they will
create their proposal to submit to the hospital. Groups will receive a letter informing them of a
new requirement. 3. After making adjustments to fulfill this new requirement, students will
check-in with their solution to the change. From here, they will make their final proposal
through a presentation.
Feedback to Students (Educative Assessment)
Throughout each phase (formula/graphing, research/model, change adjustment) groups will have
a meeting with the teacher to get feedback on their thinking and process. The feedback will be
used to adjust thinking or work to ensure students are on the correct path.
Summative Assessment
Students will be assessed through two parts of the presentation process. First, groups will
present their work, model and justification for their final decisions to a panel of employees from
the hospital. Second, the panel will be constructed of a group not presenting. These groups will
change for each presentation.
The presentation will be assessed on constructing, using and understanding system of
inequalities to make a decision in meeting the requirements. As a panel member, students are
assessed on how well they understand the information in order to judge another groups thinking
and approach.

Accommodations & Recommendations

Accommodations
Teacher can provide the following to support students:

Templates can be created to help students with the proposal and presentation needs.
A checklist of required items for the proposal and the final presentation.
Add in more check-in points as needed
Structure a step by step order for those who have trouble with organization or time
management.

Special Materials Needed

List of websites with salaries

Further Recommendations
Remind students their graph is the model they will use to represent their research conclusion. It
needs to be legible, understandable and appealing to look at.
Extensions (optional)
After groups present their findings, teacher can give groups an option to adjust their model. Let
the class know that they will be voting, as individuals, on their favorite model (they cant vote
for their own).