Activity Overview
Students will try to find the right quadratic equation to make a basket.
Before the Activity
This activity requires TI-Navigator™
Before teaching this lesson, it would be necessary that the teacher has taught the y=a(x-h)^2 + k form of quadratic equations.
The activity requires students' to have a knowledge of horizontal and vertical shifts of a parabola and how to make these happen with use of the previously mentioned equation.
During the Activity
I usually use this activity at the start of the hour as a bell-ringer. The activity is extremely motivational for kids to try to get the "right" answer to accomplish the task.
I tell the kids before showing the activity center that the goal is to get a basket using projectile motion. I explain that the rules are:
The ball can start at the origin or slightly above the boy's head and the throw cannot be unreasonably high.
After the Activity
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary