Slide Builders: Slope

Day 1: Students will learn about slope. You may create a video that explains slope, or you can play one of the videos provided under the resource tab. Students should take notes on the format provided. They will use these notes later in the week. 

Day 2: Students will learn different ways of how slope is used in the real world. They will watch the video “Slope and House construction.” They may also watch “Stairway Slope”. These videos will allow students to begin seeing how slope can be used. It will also introduce them to the first part of the project. Tell students that they are going to become slide builders! They will be graphing slides and they will determine the slope of each slide board. They must create 3 different types of slides with unique slopes. They will draw a picture, and then use slope-intercept form to find the actual slope of the slides.

Day 3: Continue working on the project. 

Day 4: Once students have created their slide, they will then begin to learn about Pythagorean theorem. They will watch videos on the equation. Once they have taken notes, they will use the theorem to determine the length of the slide board based on the height and length. 

Day 5: Students will continue to work on their projects. 

Day 6: Students will pick their favorite slide they created. They will then create an advertisement for the slide. They may do this on Google slides, PowerPoint, Canva, on paper, or poster.

Advertisements must include:

• the name of their company
• how much the slide costs
• a picture of the slide
• the slope of the slide
• why the slope is important
• a summary of their product
• a diagram of the slide (including the Pythagorean Theorem)

Day 7: Conclude working on the project. Optional class presentations. Display student work if possible.

Depending on what you are teaching for slope, you may have to add or take away some of the questions. The Khan academy has many different videos for various levels of introducing slope. You may pick and choose which videos you students watch.  If you are teaching older students, Pythagorean theorem may be a review. You may choose to alter this assignment as you see fit. It is also a great review! 

Differentiation: Give students the slope of the slide, and have them work backwards to create their advertisement. Ex, higher slope = faster slide. Less slope will give a slower slide that may be marketed to a younger audience.

Extension: Have students conduct research into the materials of their slides. Students may research current slide markets and come up with a pricing model. Students may construct a scale model of their slide.

You may check student notes, their slide designs, and their final advertisement.