Clip 5/15: Modeling with Polynomials Lesson - Part 1C

Overview

Amy Burke continues her lesson on modeling with polynomials with her 11th- and 12th-grade students, using pre-cut papers, asking them to build boxes out of their grid papers. Students work in pairs and then add their cut size, length, width, height, and volume. Amy clarifies the units for each of those measurements.

Students work in pairs to build their open-top boxes, discussing their ideas as they work and identifying elements about which they are uncertain. Two student pairs work together to create “a bunch of comparisons.” Students share “what they notice” as they work with their group members. They positively critique each other’s thinking when they believe an error has been made, and they revise their approach when needed. They use calculators to check their multiplication when finding the volume of the box. Student pairs record their findings on the board, comparing their work to that of the other pairs.

Teacher Commentary

Before this lesson, I had also been in that classroom that week prior to the taping. I had been in the classroom with them, and actually the full day I had done the two weather map modeling classes as well, because we weren't sure due to the timing of the videographer, which section we would do it in.

So, we just prepped all the classes. I had done two lead-up lessons, which were focused on learning the technology. They do use Desmos, but we were really jumping ahead in the curriculum to get them to be able to put in the regression line. So, I had done two lead-up lessons with them that week to prepare for this day.