ALEX Learning Activity

In this learning activity, students will be introduced to the differences between proportional and non-proportional situations or relationships. The lesson includes dialogue, teaching material, and re-teaching material. To get the most from this activity, students should know that linear relationships can be represented as words, tables, graphs, and equations. 

This learning activity can be used as a stand-alone activity or a Before/Engage Activity, the During and After activities can be found in the Notes or Recommendations section.

The students will determine whether a relationship between two variables is proportional or non-proportional.

• This activity will be used to introduce the differences between proportional and non-proportional situations or relationships.
• The teacher will use the Difference Between Proportional and Non-Proportional Introduction to introduce the lesson objective.
• The lesson should be taught whole group and it includes an Essential Question, Methods, and Review to help the student understand the concept.
• The teacher will begin the lesson by using the Essential Question to check to see what the students already know about proportional and non-proportional relationships. 
• Next, the teacher will use the Methods section of the lesson to teach the students about the different ways to determine if a relationship is proportional or non-proportional.
• In conclusion, the teacher will use the Review section of the activity: If a relationship is nonlinear, it is nonproportional. If it is linear, it may be either proportional or nonproportional. When the graph of the linear relationship contains the origin, the relationship is proportional.
• The teacher should circulate the room while using the Difference Between Proportional and Non-Proportional Introduction to check for understanding.

The student responses during the class discussion will be used as a formative assessment. 

• Students should know that two variables show direct variation if y = kx and k is not equal to zero. k represents the constant of proportionality.
• The teacher should review the Difference Between Proportional and Non-Proportional Introduction slides prior to using the activity.
• The teacher will need to decide on how he/she will display the Google Slide presentation prior to using the activity. 

• Teachers may modify the slides and examples to fit their needs.
• Teachers may substitute the chosen text for those that they feel are more suitable to their students, or those that align with a unit in their classes.

This activity can stand alone or be used as a Before/Engage activity for the following learning activities:

Difference Between Proportional and Non-Proportional Variables Lesson (During Activity)

Difference Between Proportional and Non-Proportional Relations Practice (After Activity)