I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Growth

Essential Question:

How does exponential growth happen?

Bridge:

Control

Content:

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: To illustrate how the spread of STD’s or other diseases may occur when body fluids are shared.

Pass it on: All cups are filled with water except 1, which is filled with NaOH. The person with the NaOH is “infected”. The contents all look the same, so no one knows anyone is infected. Phenolphthalein is used to test the participants’ solutions to see who has become infected.

Assessment: Observe the number of students who test positive (solution turns pink) and discuss.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: the student will reflect on and analyze the activity called “Pass it On.”

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: Students describe exponential growth metaphorically.

The students create a metaphor by thinking of a situation where something starts out slow and then grows faster and faster over time.
Class watches the Population video.

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: Students will experience the concept of exponential growth.

1. M&M Activity
This is an experience where a few selected students have to eat M&M’s. They begin by eating 1 M&M in a predetermined set time (15 s) and then doubling the amount each time thereafter, keeping the time limit the same each time they eat. This is a great activity to show how exponential growth starts out slow and then suddenly goes out of control.

2. Allowance Activity
This is an activity where the student makes a choice on how he/she wants to get paid. Start with a penny and double the previous day’s amount or start with a set amount and get paid the same amount each day.

Lecture on the growth formula.

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: The students will practice the concept being taught.

Worksheets and book assignments.

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Objective: The students will personalize the material by creating a project.

Provide a project option list, timeline and rubrics. Project option list will include: 1) slideshow, 2) poem, 3) rap, 4) video, 5) sales ad, 6) cartoon, 7) model, 8) mobile, 9) game, 10) children’s book, 11) other approved idea.

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Objective: Students will assess their projects based upon the rubrics and edit accordingly.

Choose a partner and share projects. Help each other edit as needed.

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Objective: Students share projects based upon the concept taught.

Share projects with the class and answer the essential question: How does exponential growth happen?

Assessment: Vote for the “Best of Show” and award prizes to the winner.

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: