From Concrete to Abstract: Helping ALL Students Develop Algebraic Thinking Skills Heather Sparks, NBCT Taft Middle School Oklahoma City Schools October 2, 2008

*Adapted from Van de Walle and Lovin

Turtle and Snail On summer day, Little Green Turtle challenged Teeny Tiny Turtle to a race from the oak tree to the elm tree. Turtle travels at a rate of 3 feet per minute and Snail travels at a rate of 2 feet per minute. The trees are 12 feet apart. STORY:

Turtle and Snail 12 feet PICTURE

time distance TABLE Turtle Snail

RULE OR EQUATION Turtle: multiply by 3 Snail: multiply by 2 D=3t D=2t

GRAPH distance in feet time

Given a graph, can you write a story?

Let’s Apply!  Penny Bridges  Ball Bouncing  Slinky Stretch  Cup Stacking  Party Tables

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