Incorporating Discourse into the Mathematics Classroom through an Investigation of Slope

Abstract

This curriculum project was designed to increase mathematical discourse within the classroom. To support educators in this task, the lessons in this curriculum project, based on 8th grade New York State (NYS) Next Generation Standards, incorporate vocabulary rich mathematical tasks around slope. The first lesson introduces slope on a graph, along with the types of slope possible. Next, the slope formula is introduced within the second lesson, where students are given ample opportunity to become familiar with using this new formula. After this comes the slope-intercept form of a line which gives students the chance to use slope in a different way. Lastly, lesson four ties all concepts learned in the previous three days into a stations activity. Keys for all four lessons can be found in the appendix.