1. Equations with Two Variables 8 th grade Amanda Taylor EDC 448 2/14/13

2. Guiding Questions How could graphing relate to our everyday lives? Could solving equations benefit you in the future? Can you think of any jobs that would require you to use this information? Can math be fun?!?

3. Charles, Randall I. "8.2." Prentice Hall Mathematics: Pre-Algebra. Needham, MA: Prentice Hall, 2004. 405-10. Print. This is the class textbook. It breaks down pre- algebra in a very structured, formal way. The language is meant for an 8 th grade level. In each section, the knowledge demand gets higher, encouraging students to know just understand but to apply. Overall this is a great textbook that clearly lays out the key points students must learn in pre-algebra.

4. Schwartz, David M., and Steven Kellogg. If You Made a Million. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1989. Print. This is a wonderful children’s book! Of course, the length is extremely short and the format includes many pictures. However, I think this is a question ever student once asked themselves and maybe still do! Although the language demands are low, it gives a creative side to graphing and finding equations.

5. Murphy, Stuart J., and Tricia Tusa. Lemonade for Sale. New York: HarperCollins, 1998. Yet another amazing children’s book. You can never have too many! Sometimes bringing back childhood memories makes something more of a reality than the future! The basics of how much you charge for each lemonade can easily be put into an equation that one could graph! It is always great to make math fun through reading.

6. "Bruins Profiles: Tim Thomas Never Say Never." Bruins Profiles: Tim Thomas. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2013. This is a longer article but it tells a story of Tim Thomas overcoming all odds against him. Although this will especially take the attention of sports fans, it is a great story of never giving up. It’s structure works wonders as throughout the story it states Thomas’ save percentages which can be used as a graphing exercise. Last but not least, the Fleish-Kincaid readability calculator ranges this article from 10 th grade to 12 th grade. This will challenge the students with up to 10% complex words and will vastly increase their reading skills.

7. Nhan, Doris. "Interactive: Mapping High School Graduation, Dropout Rates Across the U.S." Nationaljournal.com 29 Jan. 2013. General OneFile. Web. 6 Feb. 2013. This online article may very well be a reality check. Although is it very short, it is packed with factual numbers about graduation and drop out rates. For students who are entering high school, I feel as though graphing these numbers will open there eyes to their future.

8. Jackson, Jerry. "Heads in beds." Florida Trend Jan. 2013: 34. General OneFile. Web. 6 Feb. 2013. Here is an online article that may bring back some more childhood memories! Who doesn’t love Disney? This reading is fairly short as well, but describes the workforce numbers required to run Disney. This is a great combination of childhood fun and the reality of work. Also, the language in this text is a bit harder.

9. "The Billboard Hot 100[TM]." Billboard 22 Dec. 2012: 128. General OneFile. Web. 6 Feb. 2013. This article is structured a bit differently than normal. There are tables throughout the article showing which songs made which number on the hot 100. This is great for graphing as the numbers are already there. The students learn how to read tables as well. Also, this allows students who have a love for music to shine.

10. "Math Graph Rap." YouTube. YouTube, 26 May 2012. Web. 07 Feb. 2013. This online text is actually a YouTube video made by a group of students! Showing this at the beginning of this topic will lighten the mood greatly. AND little do they know, if they memorize the song, they will in fact know how to solve two variable equations! I am a firm believer that putting material into song/rap allows students to learn more effectively!

11. "Math Games." Mathematics Games. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.. This is for yet another genre of students, mainly the lovely gamers! Although not a typical video game, it has similarities while at the same time helping them learn. The game is actually easier than what the section requires but it is great for students who don’t seem to grasp the concept. Online games are definitely 8 th grade students language.

12. Dragon Box. Computer software. Apple App Store. Apple, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2013.. Most interesting text in this set! This is an app from the Apple Store. With studies to back it up, it is proven that students who play this game will improve their basic algebra. Fascinating. The knowledge level will get them where they need to be to move forward. Also, more importantly, this gives them motivation to learn.

13. The End.