After a group hands-on activity, student teams will complete tasks using their knowledge of exponential functions. After each task, they will locate their next by following clues leading them to different areas of the media center. As they complete tasks, they receive pieces of a final activity that upon completion, earns them their choice of gift: a wrapped surprise that is in full view during the entire lesson, used to motivate students in completing the tasks.
Though the primary focus of this lesson is on teaching students exponential functions and then allowing them hands on activities in which to develop this newly acquired knowledge, the lesson is made interesting through the use of teams and dividing this practice into segments, separated by clues they must figure out in order to receive the next task. These clues rely on students' knowledge of the media center. Though more in-depth media skills are not taught in this lesson, it's purpose is to reach out to subject area teachers who might not normally think of collaborating with the media specialist. It also introduces students to the media center in a context that they do not normally associate it with. Students generally find books or resources while completing this lesson that they wish to visit after the lesson or in the future. The media specialist can highlight any area of the media center that they wish to introduce to students or familiarize them with. In the same way, the subject teacher can choose which tasks they wish for their students to complete, based on their knowledge of the students and their needs. The entire lesson is adaptable and pieces can be interchanged. Different subjects can be integrated into the scavenger hunt component provided by the media specialist.
For each team, you will need four envelopes. In each envelope, place one of the pages from the supporting files that includes their number (for the final task) and their clue to locate the next task. The fourth envelope will include information on how to complete their ultimate task of winning their prize. Label the envelopes with the team color and which number it is. Envelopes should be handed out in sequential order.
Tasks used in this lesson were borrowed from http://regentsprep.org/REgents/math/ALGEBRA/AE7/ExpDecayL.htm. See supporting files for the documents you can use or adapt. Each task should be put in a separate envelope and then hidden throughout the media center, based on the clues in the other envelopes. Label each envelope with the team color.
For whole class lab: paper plate (or paper towel) and two cups for each team; 40-50 M&Ms or Skittles. This lab has many different variations and it is likely that your Algebra teacher is familiar with it. You can access one variation here: http://alittlecreation.com/science/geotime/TRExpGrowthDecay.PDF.
A gift for each team to win by completing the lesson. It can be either a wrapped gift or present, or take the form of a treasure chest or any other variation. The prize inside does not matter as it is the motivation the presence of the gift inspires that is key. You can place inexpensive trinkets, school supplies, candy, etc, in each gift to be split among the team when they open their prize. Even classroom-based rewards such as homework passes or other items that they might value can be used so that money is not spent. One other alternative would be to provide a pizza party, ice cream social, etc, for the class. They will not know of this prize until they open their gifts and find a ticket to the party for each of them.
Preparation before class arrives in media center:
On a table for each team, place a plate, two cups and candy, as well as a printed copy of the lab so that students can record their trials.
On a table at the front of the instructional area, place a wrapped gift for each team that you will have. You can do any variation of this, including a treasure chest or the like. This is something that will spark your students' interest and motivate them to complete all tasks in order to win the prize for their group.
Hide the tasks in the media center for each team according to each team's clues. Divide the teams' clue envelopes between the teacher and media specialist. Each will be responsible for half of the teams: checking proper completion of the tasks and distributing their next clue.
Hang poster paper for each team (ideally, corresponding colors to the team colors) in the instructional area.
When the class arrives:
If students have yet to be introduced to exponential functions, the teacher should begin the class by introducing them to them now.
The media specialist leads the class through the M&M lab, while the teacher assists students in each step of the lab.
After the hands-on part of the lab, teams are to answer the questions in the lab and then submit their answers to either their teacher or media specialist, depending on how the teams were divided. The team will then receive their first clue.
Teams read the clue and then go to the area of the media center indicated by the clue and locate their next task. Once they complete each task, they receive their next clue envelope, locate their next task, complete it and then turn in their correct answer and receive their next clue.
Once the last clue envelope is received, students will use all of the numbers (random numbers, 1-6) they received with their clues and create an equation that equals 24. Teams write their equations on their paper and then walk either their teacher or the media specialist through their equation. Once they have successfully completed this final task, they have won the prize and can choose which gift they wish.
National Content Standards (K-12)