O Christmas Tree: Gradient Edition

My get-go cooperating instructor at the high schoolhouse score shared amongst me this method of didactics slope.  After introducing what gradient was, nosotros asked the students to depict a tree inward their notes.  However, they couldn't depict only whatever tree.  Instead, they would larn how to depict a particular form of tree.  

After drawing the higher upward tree on the board without the labels, the students commenced to criticize the tree together with tell how it looked to a greater extent than similar an arrow than a tree.  Luckily, it truly doesn't bother me when students criticize my drawings.  I'll hold upward honest.  I am no artist.  And, obviously, I convey a lot of problem drawing directly lines.  Because the body of my tree higher upward truly has a really slight positive gradient instead of the intended undefined slope.  

We hence proceeded to verbalize virtually the dissimilar kinds of slopes that could exist.  As nosotros discussed the dissimilar slopes, the students labeled their tree.  

Though the students sentiment it silly, at that topographic point was something virtually this tree that made the concept of gradient truly stick amongst my students.  I can't tell you lot how many times over the side past times side calendar month that nosotros continued to reference this tree.  I would hold upward working amongst a student, together with I would inquire them whether a graph had a positive or negative slope.  When they said they didn't know, I would hence ask, "Which side of the Christmas Tree does the graph expect like?"  As presently equally I asked this, they would almost similar a shot hold upward able to hit upward one's heed if the gradient was positive or negative.  

You may convey noticed this gradient tree nether i of the flaps I posted of my Slope Foldable*.  I sentiment it deserved a postal service of its own.

This isn't the entirely agency to learn students to recollect the dissimilar types of slope, though.  Here are links to another ideas that I convey seen unopen to the blogosphere lately.  Mr. Slope Guy late on his blog. Alphabet Slope Activity.  If you lot know of whatever other creative ways of didactics slope, I'd dearest to withdraw heed them inward the comments!        

* Fair Warning: If you lot remind students to depict the Christmas Tree on their foldable to assist them recollect the dissimilar types of slope, i pupil may depict an actual Christmas tree, consummate amongst ornaments, but lacking whatever squall of types of slope.  Weeks later, when you lot squall that they should expect at the Christmas tree on their foldable, they volition proceed to present you lot the Christmas tree they drew together with inquire how that volition assist them amongst their electrical flow math problem.

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