Saturday, March 28, 2015

Zombies and Exponential Functions

While searching for a "fun" and engaging task or activity to introduce linear vs. exponential functions, I found this blog post from Learning with Tape about a zombie outbreak!  AWESOME!  I couldn't resist trying this out in my class.  I teach a remedial class called Algebra AB, which is the first semester of Algebra 1 over the entire year.  I was leery of this activity and knew that I needed to have a very structured activity that held each student accountable for the thinking and processing involved to fully comprehend the basic main goal: to understand that a linear function will have an adding pattern, or increase/decrease at a constant rate and that an exponential function will have a multiplicative pattern and why their graphs are shaped the way that they are. So after much thought, the help of the original idea from Learning with Tape and some zombie clip art I came up with this lesson plan, that involves a fun zombie simulation, an extension activity and an exit ticket.  Students were very engaged and loved the activity!  Success!




25 comments:

  1. What a fun way of teaching and engaging someone to solve tricky mathematical questions. Exponential functions are really hard to understand. But the method and worksheet in the blog makes it fun and easy to learn.

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  2. I love it! I wish I had come across this before I taught population growth this year. :( But there's always next year! :D

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  3. Can you email me the answer key? loripkeefner@katyisd.org
    Thanks!

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  4. Love! Thank you! Are answers available?

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  5. This is awesome!!! Thank you! I just had one quick question... might you have a revised copy with a different graph for Strain A? The one above starts at 4 instead of 2 and does not reflect the linear equation when graphed with the y-intercept. Thanks!

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  6. Could you email me the answer key? I'd love to use this tomorrow! michelle.anderson@orange.k12.nc.us Thanks!!!

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  7. Would you be so kind as to send the me the key? It would be much appreciated. I love this activity.

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  8. This sounds very fun! Could you email me the answer key, too, rbarry@msdr9.org Thank you!

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  9. Can you please send me the answers as well tanijak03@gmail.com

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  10. Can you please send me the answers as well. lovely063092@gmail.com

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  11. I would appreciate a copy of the answer key blairj@e-hps.net
    Thank you!

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  12. You can send me the key for the students

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  13. Can you send me the answer key also?
    please and thank you

    grandmareads@gmail.com

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  14. Could you please send me the answer key?
    emmelinelemos@gmail.com

    Thank you!

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  15. Could you please send me the answer key? allison.manning0718@gmail.com

    Thank you!!

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  16. I don't know if you actually send the answer keys out, but I would love to have one. msmither@ccoe.k12.ca.us

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  17. Could you also email me a answer key
    kimjmills72@gmail.com. Thank you

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  18. May I have the answer key too? sistersuzer68@gmail.com

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  19. i really would appreciate seeing how you came up with your charts. I am struggling to get the right wording, and understanding of the zombies.
    In the first one, it seems linear y = 3x + 1 which then after say 4 minutes, it gives a total amount infected?.. or is that just the amount in the 4th minute, and why? But then, the second chart reads that each zombie can infect one person... so after the first minute, the original zombie gets three, and then each of them get three and so forth?... but it states they each get one.... So I think I have spent too much time trying to figure out all the different scenarios, and 4 sets of charts, and Desmos.... So, if you can send me a key, or explain things a bit more, that would be appreciated... I love this concept and it's so pertinent this year (but with a more fun twist). Thank you!!! mardalee.burwitz@allenisd.org

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  20. Hi. I love your idea and if it's okay I would like to use this for my lesson plan. Would you be kind enough to send the answer key on my email? erojojenny@gmail.com Thank you so much! Much love.

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  21. Is an answer key available? I would greatly appreciate one. Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. My email is jane.barreca@cureofars.com

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  22. Hi! I really love this lesson, I am a currently a student teacher so I am constantly searching for great lessons to help me teach my students. Would you mind emailing me the answer key? It would a lot with my lesson! Thank you.
    My email is erinareed17@gmail.com

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