Will It Hit The Hoop – Desmos, Updated

I am blogging about a lesson, yay!

I recently saw a post from the Great Dan Meyer, and wanted to use the problem in my upcoming Quadratics Lesson, so here it is....

The problem is "Will the shooter make a basket..."

We are going to use Desmos (love it) to see if he actually makes the shot.  Here are the links

Here are my Desmos graphs —

First, let's look at the video:

Now, use the following Desmos file to see if he will make his shot....
Click on Take 1

Check your answer here:

How about this shot...."Will he make it?"

Use Desmos again and see what you can conclude about the shot...
Click on Take 2

Now, were you correct? Let's see...

What about this shot....

g 

Now, using the same process, analyze the graph and predict if he will make the shot....
Click on Take 4

Was your conjecture correct? Let's see...

Next, we are going to take the same process and analyze the graphs using the attributes of a quadratic function using the vertex form of the equation.

Vertex form:

Take 1
Take 2
Take 3
Take 4

Now, answer the following questions with your partner....

1. What role does the "a" value serve in the quadratic equation?
2. What role does the "h" value serve in the quadratic equation?
3. What role does the "k" value serve in the quadratic equation?

My First Blog

Alright....

The time is 14:51 and I have just finished teaching a group of PreAP Algebra 2 students.  And let me just say that this year is going to be FUN!  I am so excited about where we are all going in math this year.

A little backgound...Towards the end of the last school year, I decided that I was going to transform what my classroom looked like.  I read almost anything I can get my hands on.  I have watched almost all TED talks out there about mathematics education.  I am changing the system from within.  Well, I may not change the system, but I am certainly changing my own little part of the system.

The following is a list of books and videos that I have read and watched that have greatly influenced my decision to be a part of change and help transform the status quo.  These are not in any particular order...

Videos
Conrad Wolfram: Teaching Kids Real Math with Computers

Dan Meyer: Math Classrooms need a makeover

Chris Lehman: Education is Broken

Books:
Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking by Margie Pearse
Introduction to Mathematical Thinking by Keith Devlin

Books that I will soon read:
What's Math Got to Do with It?: How Teachers and Parents Can Transform Mathematics Learning and Inspire Success by Jo Boeler

I also have spent numerous hours reading this blog about "Shift"....Mind Shift

I just wanted to publish this, my first blog, that I am on the brink of change.  I am changing the way I think.  I am changing the way I teach.  I am hopefully changing the the way Math Education is taught in my little neck of the woods.