Bank Investment Options

During this activity students compared bank investment options and created tables and graphs using Microsoft Excel.  Students selected the best investment choice and provided an explanation using Microsoft Word.  Tables and graphs created in Excel were incorporated into the explanation as students analyzed the two banking options.  The task and one student work sample is shown below:

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

Recently, students in the Algebra 1 class examined the correlation between fat grams and calories for 27 fast food burgers from 3 different fast food chains.  Some students were amazed to see the number of fat grams and calories in a single burger; especially after considering the daily limits for a normal diet.

Student work is shown below:

As seen from the work, students identified a strong positive correlation between fat grams and calories and used their analysis to model problem solving and communication skills. 

Flooring Costs: Making the best choice as consumers

Students looked at pricing options for different flooring such as carpet, hardwood, and tile.  Not only did students consider the cost of the flooring materials but also the price of installation, which can add up to a whole lot of money depending upon the type of flooring and room size.

In real life, students will have to make these choices based on budgets, preferences, and return on investment.  An example of some student work is shown below.  In this example, you see the work completed at the end of one 45-minute class period after bell work was finished.

The table provides numeric data and the graph provides a visual representation as students begin to examine linear equations for each flooring choice.