From Concrete to Abstract:

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From Concrete to Abstract

• Helping ALL Students Develop
• Algebraic Thinking Skills

Heather Sparks, NBCT Taft Middle School Oklahoma
City Schools www.hisparks.com August 9, 2010
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Adapted from Van de Walle and Lovin
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STORY
Turtle and Snail On summer day, Little Green
Turtle challenged Teeny Tiny Turtle to a race
from the oak tree to the elm tree. Turtle travels
at a rate of 3 feet per minute and Snail travels
at a rate of 2 feet per minute. The trees are 12
feet apart.
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PICTURE
Turtle and Snail
12 feet
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TABLE
Turtle Snail
time distance
time distance
0 1 2 3 4
0 1 2 3 4
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RULE OR EQUATION
Turtle multiply by 3 d 3t Snail multiply
by 2 d 2t
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GRAPH
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
distance in feet
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
time
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Whats My Rule?
x y 2 5 3 6 4 7 5 8 6 9
x y -2 7 0 3 1 1 4 -5 6 -9
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Every graph tells a story
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• Lets Apply!
• Ball Bouncing
• Slinky Stretch
• Cup Stacking
• Party Tables

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Extend and Explain
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Heathers Website www.hisparks.com