In conclusion, Choose Your Allowance is a very helpful mathematical model of linear, exponential, and quadratic functions. This problem can be completed with a number of spreadsheet apps but I highly recommend using the Numbers App. It is easy to use, especially for 8th and 9th grade students. This situation allows students to come to their own conclusions even while participating in mathematical discourse. This problem has elicited evidence of students’ current mathematical understanding and uses it as a basis for making decisions. Students were able participate in productive struggle to gain better understanding of the lesson and were able to see in the Alabama Course of Study the importance of real-world applications. I think in so many classrooms students tend to make the comment, “Where will I ever use this in life?”. This was a great way to see just how math is incorporated in every day life.

“Mathematics may not teach us how to add love or subtract hate but it gives up hope that every problem has a solution” -Unknown. Persevere in everything you do and don’t give up because the outcome is so rewarding.

 

Works Cited

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2014). Principles to actions: Ensuring mathematical success for all. Reston, VA: Author.

Alabama Department of Education. (2016). Alabama college and career ready standards for mathematics. Montgomery, AL: Author. Downloaded from http://bit.ly/alcos-math2016 

National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers. (2010). Common core state standards for mathematics. Washington, DC: Authors. Downloaded from http://bit.ly/commcoremath

Krebs, J. (n.d.). Recursive definitions. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from http://home.windstream.net/okrebs/page132.html