One Grain of Rice: An Introduction to Exponents

Content Area: 8th Grade Math

Time Frame: One 84 minute class period.

Standards:
8 Work with radicals and integer exponents.

8.8.EE.1 Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to

generate equivalent numerical expressions.

Objectives: Students will be able to:

1) Define vocabulary terms such as: base, exponent, exponential function.
2) Use literacy strategies to introduce and discuss concepts of exponential functions while
contrasting them with linear functions.

Class Description: Co-Taught Classroom with both SPED and non-SPED students.
Materials Needed: One Grain of Rice story book, Recording Sheet, Notes Sheet, post-it
notes.
Modifications note: Co-Teacher makes cloze note format for the vocabulary terms in the
notes. Both teachers check in with SPED students to make sure they are following along with
guided work.
Sources:
One Grain of Rice by Demi
Context: This is the first day of a 3 week long unit on exponential functions. It follows a
recent (much longer) unit on linear functions. This lesson is designed to introduce the
concept of exponents while contrasting them with linear functions. The notes are very
concise and are mainly a means of helping to prepare them for discussion of the story. The
real hands on engagement with exponents will start in upcoming class periods.

Class Schedule:
1) Bellringer Question:
In a complete sentence, describe a linear function.
2) Notes (Document 1)- Students will be given an introductory sheet of notes. Note: they will be
given more complete notes with examples in upcoming class periods.
3) Brain Break

4) One Grain of Rice story with accompanying recording sheet (Document 2): Students
will arrange desks in a story circle. The teacher will then read the story while students record on
their accompanying sheet, stopping for discussion and to check for understanding (i.e. do
students have their recording sheets caught up., discussion about plot of the story, predicting
what will happen next). For those who miss, there are 3 video links showing the whole story with
pictures on youtube.com:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3t_9g-7oQ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE_bFUIQ5fQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8DVyCH7NlI

5) Post it exit slip- Students will write their name on a sticky note. They will then answer the
following question in complete sentences and post it on the whiteboard under their class
number. They need to complete this task before they are dismissed.

Intro to Exponents
(Document 1)

34

Base:
Exponent:
(Label base and exponent on example above)
Using example above, write function in:
Exponential form:
Expanded form:
Standard form:
Exponential Function:

How is this similar to and different from linear functions?

Document (2) Note: this is an image of a PDF, therefore the formatting is off