webquest+Linear+Equation

What is **y=mx+b**? And ax+by=c? Looks like Greek to me! And no, it's not the Pythagorean Theorem again. Actually, you are looking at two formulas developed by the French mathematician Rene Descartes. These are two of the most famous formulas in all of Algebra. These algebraic formulas represent ALL straight lines that can be graphed on the coordinate plane.
 * Webquest: Linear Equations **

This project is designed to help you figure out what all those variables and formulas mean - through exploration and visiting various information sources on the web. This webquest will help you make sense of the all those letters, lines, and graphs in Algebra.

Linear Equations, like the two found at the beginning, are the basis for all slopes, maps, business models, and relationships between data sets. Learning these formulas is the next step after you have a solid understanding of the Cartesian plane.

When you get to high school, you will study curved lines and parabolas, like those found when kicking a soccer ball or a rocket ship blasting off. But before we can make sense of the more complicated lines we first need to study **straight lines**. This is a unit based on the **Slope-Intercept Form** - the part of algebra that explores Linear Equations and how they relate to Rene Descartes and the coordinate plane.

The purpose is for you to gain new understanding of some of the most difficult concepts in algebra... slope and linear equations!


 * THE PROCESS **

1. Create **Word Document -** __save it as (name.last.webquest)__ This is where you will store the information you gather, especially things you have learned. This is also the document that you will turn in to the instructor when you have completed the unit. You will also need to record a variety of graphs, cut and paste information from the web, and demonstrate that you have completed all the tasks. __At the top of the page, put your Name/Class, Date, and a Title.__


 * 2. Start with a Pre-Quiz ** to see how much you already know. Follow the link below and __answer the eight questions__ the best you can. __Copy and paste__ BOTH the questions/answers __and__ the graph into your Pages document. __Label this the "//Pre-Quiz Step 2"//__. When you are finished with the quiz, __answer the following questions and write them in your Pages document below the Pre-Quiz__ with your group:


 * What grade would you give yourself and why?
 * What are the vocabulary words or concepts that you don't understand - write them down?
 * The "score" button doesn't work - so discuss the correct answers with your group and write about what similarities or differences you have.

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3. **Review the basics** of the Coordinate Plane. Below are two links that will help you look up vocabulary, discuss specifics of points, remind you of the axes, and review the four quadrants. While you are reviewing you __must write down__ a minimum of __ten words__ with their __definitions__, paying special attention to any information you are not familiar with or are having trouble remembering. __Label this page, //"Cartesian Plane Basics Step 3"//__.


 *  Go to this website and read about the Cartesian Plane. Make sure you visit all four pages.

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 *  Follow the link below. Pass through the four steps and do the workout at the end.

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4. **Practice a few problems** on plotting.


 *  Go to this website and read about the Cartesian Plane. Write about a couple things that you learned from this website and if you made it to the third level. __Label this page //"Plotting Points Game Step 4"//__.

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 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Then try this website to practice plotting points. It is similar to the one above but hopefully helpful in different ways. __In the paragraph above, explain which game you like better and would want to play again__.

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<span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">5. **Explore the Slope-Intercept Form**. The following website and videos discuss the most important aspects of lines. Be sure to take notes in your math journal, even if it seems easy. Start a new page in your document and l__abel it "//Graphing Equation Answers Step 5//"__. Using the information you wrote down in your journal __write one or two paragraphs__ explaining the website and videos in your Pages document.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">The first part in this site will help look at vertical lines. The second parts looks at horizontal lines. The third part talks about the "//slope//". The fourth part shows the "//y-intercept//". There is even an "Interactive" tool that may help you see how different lines look when they are written in a formula.

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 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Below are two videos that discuss how to graph a line in slope-intercept form. Be sure to __watch them both__ - or feel free to watch other videos __on the same subject__ if you need more help. Make sure to talk to your teacher if there are any questions that you still don't understand.

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<span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 6. **Develop some rules** of your own that will help you understand the y=mx+b formula. In your document, __create a page and label it, "//Slope-Intercept Form Rules Step 7//"__. Use the websites and information you have gathered to __write down__ a minimum of __ten things__ you know to be true about lines in slope-intercept form. Remember NOT to just cut and paste - that is cheating! //You must put the rules in your own words//.



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 * The following website might help to give you some ideas.

7. **Practice more problems** graphing different lines and recognizing different lines. When you get finished with both websites, __write one paragraph__ about what you learned __for each__ website - __label this page "//Practice Recognizing Step 7//"__. (If you didn't learn anything, then write two paragraphs __for each__ website on how you could improve them and why they were unhelpful.) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> []
 * Here is a website to help you with graphing. __Watch at least three videos__ and take notes in your math journal.
 * Here is a website to help you with graphing. __Play this game__ and see what level you can get to. See me if you are having trouble or need help.

8. **Discuss different problems** that apply Linear Equations to the world around us. When both you and your partner have reached this step, discuss the following video and brainstorm together. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> []
 * __ Write down five situations __ where Linear Equations are found in Real Life (besides math class). __Label this page, "//Application of Slope-Intercept Form Step 8//__". Watch the following video to get some ideas.

9. **Pass the QUIZ** to ensure you have really learned about Linear Equations - you should only take this quiz one time! Below are three websites where you can practice before taking the real quiz. After taking the quiz __write a three paragraph reflection__ on the ten steps here on the Process page. __Label this page, "//Reflection Step 9//"__. You may use the questions below to help you write the three paragraphs - please do not only answer the questions with short responses!
 * How well do you think you did on the Final Quiz? Is this an accurate score of what you think you know about the Slope-Intercept Form? Are there areas on the quiz that you know but still did not get correct? What are they and why did you get them wrong?
 * How much time did you spend working on this project? How hard did you work and how do you know? What grade would your overall web quest project deserve? Does your grade reflect how hard you tried, as well as what you learned?
 * How did the websites, videos, and Grapher tool help your learning? Is there something that might have helped you learn better? Did the individual web quest help you to develop a deeper understanding of Slope-Intercept Form and why? Remember, web quests are supposed to be self-directed, student-centered, and website specific.

Here are the online quizzes to help you prepare for the exam. Use these quizzes as tools to help you gain a better understanding for what is expected.

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You also need to look at the Rubric page and the Conclusions page. Review how this project will be graded and use the questions on the Conclusion page to help you write your own reflection.

Rubric

Conclusion ||