Graphing Calculators for our Algebra 1 8th Graders!

Funded Sep 29, 2022

Thank you so much for contributing to our graphing calculator campaign. Our 8th graders have been busy in Algebra 1 this year! The TI-84 graphing calculators have been most helpful in our current unit on linear equations, inequalities, and systems. We've used the context of planning a pizza party to explore how equations and inequalities can help us meet various constraints. When you have a budget and a certain number of guests to feed, planning for the right number of pizzas (and how many of each kind) to order gets complicated! This is one way systems of equations are used in Algebra 1.

Students LOVE using the graphing calculator technology because it saves them so much time when trying to find a solution that works for both equations and meets BOTH the budget constraint and the quantity constraint. The students look for where the two lines of the equations intersect to find this "sweet spot" where all constraints are met.

One student was able to catch a mistake we made in class using the graphing calculators. We tried to plan out how many long rectangular and small round tables would be needed at my wedding this spring. We had to use a certain number of tables the venue provided but also ensure we had a specific number of seats for all of our guests. The students wrote a system of equations and solved it algebraically. We thought we found a way to use the amount of tables but when this one student graphed the equations in the graphing calculator, he realized that answer was not where the graphs intersected. We didn't have enough seats! Using a graph is an awesome way to check if your solution meets all of the constraints in a system of equations.

We are so appreciative of this generous donation. Thank you for giving my eighth graders a chance to tackle a high school level course this year!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Carota