Grow Beasts: Growing students’ understanding of ratio, proportions and slope School Science and Mathematics Association 2009 Annual Convention October Reno, Nevada Dr. Mark Roddy Seattle University

Objectives: Session Participants will build understanding of: an application of data gathering, prediction, slope, linear (and non- linear) rates of change; the use of inquiry to engage students in the construction of understanding and skill; the role of positive disposition in the development of understanding and skill. Participants will be invited to join a Web-based network of teachers using this investigation. Grow Beasts: Growing students’ understanding of ratio, proportions and slope

Simulated Grow Beasts

Here are your three GBs: A was grown in a medium salt solution (10cc/200ml) B was grown in warm water (~32 o C) C was grown in room temperature water (~26 o C) HOURS elapsed Med SaltWarm WaterJust Water begin 10AM 10/8/08 10cc/200ml32 degrees C26 degrees C ABC Grow Beasts: warm water, water, and salt water ABC

ABC B C A

Three Grow Beasts: salt, lemon, water

Using Grow Beasts to Teach Math 5 th grade: measurement 6 th grade: ratio and rate 7 th grade: rates of change, slope and linear equations 8 th grade: more linear functions and the analysis and summary of data sets

Grow Beasts: Growing students’ understanding of ratio, proportions and slope School Science and Mathematics Association 2009 Annual Convention October Reno, Nevada Dr. Mark Roddy Seattle University