Name: Kathy Fenlon (EME 990)

Grade level: 8
Subject area: Mathematics
Unit content: Linear Functions
I.

Setting the Stage: What are your measurable objective and assessment?
A. Curriculum Framework Standards: Which MA Curriculum Frameworks address your
topic content and objectives?
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for Mathematics (2011)
Functions 8.F
Use functions to model relationships between quantities.
3. Interpret the equation y = mx + b as defining a linear function whose graph is a straight line;
give examples of functions that are not linear. For example, the function A = s2 giving the
area of a square as a function of its side length is not linear because its graph contains the
points (1, 1), (2, 4) and (3, 9), which are not on a straight line.
4. Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate
of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x,
y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of change
and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, and in terms of its
graph or a table of values.
5. Describe qualitatively the functional relationship between two quantities by analyzing a graph
(e.g., where the function is increasing or decreasing, linear or nonlinear). Sketch a graph that
exhibits the qualitative features of a function that has been described verbally.
Standards for Mathematical Practice
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. (1)
Reason abstractly and quantitatively (2)
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others (3)
Model with Mathematics (4)
Use appropriate tools strategically (5)
Attend to precisions (6)

B. Generative Topic: What is the focal concept or skill of the unit?

Linear Functions
The focal concept of this Unit is linear functions. Functions are one of three focal points in the 8th
grade math curriculum. 8th grade students are expected to grasp the concept of a function and use
functions to describe quantitative relationships.
In this Unit students will be introduced to linear functions through real-world scenarios. Half of the
Unit is taught with real-world problems. The second half of the Unit introduces students to functions
abstractly. Students were introduced to proportional relationships in the 7th grade common core
standards. This Unit will build upon that knowledge of proportional change by moving the y-intercept
from the origin (as in proportional relationships) to any point on the y-axis. Students will also apply
their knowledge of a function to be a rule that assigns to each input exactly one output.