Graphing Technologies in the

Common Core Classroom

PCMI/IM : Park City Mathematics Institute / Illustrative Mathematics

Apologies

Setup
Cal Armstrong
Mathematics Teacher
Director of Teaching & Technology Innovation
Facilitator at Park City Mathematics Institute
mathforum.org/pcmi
Auxiliary Police Constable

Everything on the OneNote : bit.ly/nctmindy

http://dwhconsultingukgroup.blogspot.com/2012/09/when-will-politicians-approach-teachers.html

Goals:
You will have a better understanding of how to
implement the following mathematical practices in your

: MP5
classroom
From CCSS
[Students] are able to use
technological tools to explore
and deepen their understanding
of concepts.
From CCSS MP1:
Mathematically proficient
students start by explaining to
themselves the meaning of a
problem and looking for entry
points to its solution.

Other goals
Become accustomed to a new graphing
tool
Learn a few new tips to make life easier
Do some math
Think like a student
Consider misconceptions

Tools
Desmos www.desmos.com
Free
No offline mode (i.e. need internet)

GeoGebra www.geogebra.org
Free
Can work offline

Lots of other options!

Lets explore with some technology!

Please go to the webpage
tinyurl.com/cTAPgame1
Play with the sliders to see what
happens to the graphs. Notice
that the equation has the form
y=a*xb, and you control a and
b.
Take notes on your observations
sheet. When we play the game,
you will not be able to use the
computers to test out your

Target Practice, Round 1

Rules
Your goal is to create a curve that passes
through each of the two targets
You can change the values of the
parameters given. You cant change the
form of the equation (y=a*xb)
Each team gets one guess. The next team
must come up with parameter values that
have not been used before.

Link to game

https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Lets explore again, making it harder!

Please go to the webpage
tinyurl.com/cTAPgame2
Play with these sliders to see what
happens to the graphs. Notice that the
form of the equation has changed to
y=a(x-b)(x-c)(x-d)
As you explore, record observations on
the sheet given. In a few minutes, we
will start Round 2, where you use this
equation to aim for three targets.

Target Practice, Round 2

Rules
Your goal is to create a curve that passes
through each of the three targets
You can change the values of the
parameters given. You cant change the
form of the equation
y=a(x-b)(x-c)(x-d)
Each team gets one guess. The next team
must come up with parameter values that
have not been used before.

Links to game

https://www.desmos.com/calculator

At your table, share through a round

robin.

How did you engage with

math while playing this
game?

What comments or observations in

your group discussions ended up
being the most helpful and insightful?

How does this activity relate to the

mathematical practices mentioned earlier?
From CCSS MP5
[Students] are able to use technological tools
to explore and deepen their understanding of
concepts.

From CCSS MP1:

Mathematically proficient students start by
explaining to themselves the meaning of a

Building a solid foundation

Sample student work

What was the
student
thinking when
they created
this graph?
What
misconceptions
did they have?

Dweck: the moment a

misconception is recognized, it
should be explored!

Wouldnt it be nice to have a virtual Ferris wheel,

one where you could easily measure the heights at
different times?
For questions 1 4

tinyurl.com/cTapFerrisWheel1
For questions 5 and 6

tinyurl.com/cTapFerrisWheel2

Discuss your answers with your group

mates. Use the Ferris wheel to
explain your reasoning.

Discussion Questions
How did technology aid your ability to
understand and explain the shape of the graph?
How is the experience of using a computer
program to measure heights different from using
a ruler and protractor to do the same thing?
Which do you prefer and why?
How does this activity reinforce the Mathematical
Practices we brought up at the start of the
session?

How did the technology influence the

discourse at your table?

Tech Tools - Explorations

NCTM Illuminations

Shodor Interactive

National Library of Virtual Manipulative

MARS Tasks

And many, many more

More Tech Tools

Geogebra

Excel Online, Google Spreadsheets

Geometers Sketchpad

Park City
Mathematics
Institute
http://mathforum.org/pcmi

Additional Resources

www.illustrativemathematics.org

www.corestandards.org

www.mathalicious.org

www.cpalms.org

Thank you for your participation!