TES Top 10 Resources: Straight Line Graphs and Co-ordinates

The following collection of resources have been assembled by the TES Maths Panel. They can be downloaded for free by registering on the TES website.

Straight-line graphs and co-ordinates has to be one of the topics that has benefited the most from the use of ICT in a mathematics classroom. I personally would hate trying to teach this without an interactive whiteboard or at least a data projector.

There are lots of resources currently available on the TES website that aid both the teaching and learning of this topic, a lot are similar to each other and hopefully this set can aid your own delivery of the topic. If a resource is one of a set or there are similar that have been uploaded by a user, I will only include one here and let you know where to find the others.

Top 10 Resources:

Autograph video – Straight-line graphs

Age Range: 11-16 Format: SWF

Description: This video is one of a set and in my opinion they are equally as good as each other. I was already a fan of graphical packages and have used Autograph more than any other. These videos have given me ideas for using Autograph far more than I ever had previously. There are lots of Excel resources available that try to investigate the equation of a straight line as straightforward as it is demonstrated here. Whether you use Autograph to demonstrate on a whiteboard or more ideally investigate in a ICT room this video is a must.

Naming lines

Age Range: 11-16 Format: XLS

Description: This is a really simple excel worksheet that uses macros. I have uploaded it but it is one created by my Head of Department and I have kept coming back to it whenever I have taught this topic. Basically, it generates a straight line that you have to name the gradient and y-intercept of. It is a perfect starter or plenary resource. The equations only have integer values.

Investigating straight-line graphs with Geogebra

Age Range: 11-16 Format: WORD

Description: A worksheet which can be used in with the Geogebra software available through the link on the worksheet. The resource guides pupils through a lesson discovering the y = mx + c formula and the meaning of the constants m and c. I have used this resource with several groups and it has always proved a success.

Exploring gradient in Google Earth and Autograph

Age Range: 11-16 Format: SWF

Description: This video caught my attention instantly and really got me thinking how I could incorporate this idea into my lessons. Douglas Butler uses Google Earth to demonstrate the concept of gradients and demonstrates this in Autograph. This really is one of the best ideas I have seen for ages and would encourage you to watch the video.

Co-ordinate mini murder-mystery

Age Range: 11-14 Format: WORD

Description: This resource is excellent and a very imaginative way of presenting co-ordinates in one quadrant. I think this task would work brilliantly in pairs or larger groups. Students are given clues related to co-ordinates in one quadrant that allows them to solve a murder. There is also a similar resource on straight lines if you like this idea.

Parallel lines

Age Range: 11-16 Format: WEB

Description: I am a great believer that sometimes the simplest resources are the best and this is a perfect example of this. This webpage is a great alternative to a graphing package and is much easier to use. Start by investigating the impact of the gradient and y-intercept on the equation of and line and then move onto parallel lines. If you like this resource nrich have a similar perpendicular lines investigation.

What’s wrong with the axes?

Age Range: 11-14 Format: PPT

Description: Great resource for introducing the concept of axis and all the potential mistakes students tend to make when asked to draw a set. This would make the perfect starter for a year 7 or 8 group studying co-ordinates or straight line graphs. There are six different axis with six different mistakes.

Tarsia – Simple linear functions

Age Range: 11-16 Format: Tarsia

Description: There are lots of good Tarsia resources on the TES website for this topic. It was difficult to choose one over another so I would advise you to have a look through yourself if you like this resource. Students need to match the equation of the line with a table of values. This task does take a while to complete so bear that in mind deciding how to use this.

y=mx+c card sort

Age Range: 11-16 Format: PPT

Description: Card sorting activity where students match a graph with the equation. They do not all match which I find is good teaching point. Students could then draw the graph that is missing or state the equation of the line. This works well as either a starter or plenary depending on the ability or age of the group.

Straight-line equation bingo