05+Math-%20Logarithms


 * Logarithms**


 * Summary:** We worked on designing a unit plan, with specific emphasis on the introductory lessons, for the topic of logarithms. It would be useful for an Algebra 2/Precalculus class.


 * Rationale:** We chose the topic of logarithms because we felt that our own high school experience gave us little understanding of the topic. We wanted to provide students with a conceptual understanding of logarithms that was based upon their practical application.


 * What We Learned:**
 * A unit should be based upon the goals of what students need to know, understand, and be able to do. We got to a point where the unit was based on an interesting activity that we found and modified. This brought us to a place where we tried too hard to fit everything else to this activity, and we lost sight of the bigger goals for the unit.
 * Analysis of student work is most effective when it is approached with guiding questions. The use of a protocol is very helpful for focusing the conversation.


 * Resources:** Although it was frustrating at times, we felt that we were able to create some interesting lessons dealing with logarithms. We did teach these lessons in our classroom and still use some of the activities today.

 This activity using a timeline was particularly engaging:

 We collected student work from the timeline activity to share. Some of this student work is below. [being scanned]

We chose a three-day portion to create by first thinking of day-by-day sequencing for the full unit. This document shows the results of our ideas.

We decided to focus on the first portion of the unit. Below is a lesson plan for Day 1, as weall as a worksheet.

We developed a game to help students practice the rules of logarithms.

This document includes two applications of logarithmic scales--one from xkcd.com, the other from an actual investing agency

Slope Logarithms Proportional Reasoning Differentiated Instruction
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