Slope Intercept Form Foldable
Sometimes the most simple foldables are the best ones. That’s how I feel about the slope intercept form foldable. Students struggle to understand slope and y-intercept because there are so many parts to it. This foldable is an excellent reference that simply shows what the different parts of slope intercept form formula stand for. This gives students a basic understanding that each part of the formula can be replace by something. (Click here to get this foldable. All you have to do is print and go.)
What goes under each flap?
I find that I don’t put exactly the same thing every time I use this foldable. Typically, I’ve worked with students who struggle with math and who struggle to remember a lot of information. This foldable works great because it serves as a simple and understandable reference throughout the year. It’s really important that students see this as an equation and understand that the equal sign is important.
Below you can see one example of what I have students write under the flaps.
What to focus on when giving notes
You’ll notice that under each flap is a description of what the letter represents. Also, we explain how this relates to a line on a graph. The real key for students is that they see the connections between all of the forms of slope and y-intercept. This foldable serves as a jumping off point for studying the slope intercept form. It helps them to see each letter as something different. Sometimes students don’t see that the m and the x are separate, so this foldable can help them slow down and treat them as independent numbers.
Other things you can do
I find that you can’t assume that just because you’ve given notes that students now understand everything. To get the most out of a foldable you need to use it more than just on the day that you give notes. For this specific foldable here’s a list of additional activities to support learning:
- Refer back to it when students are graphing lines.
- Use a clean copy as an exit ticket a few days into your unit. Quickly see what students are retaining.
- Have students use it like flashcards to practice remembering what’s under each flap. Have them quiz a partner.
If all you do is have students fill out the foldable, then you won’t have a truly interactive notebook. It’s important to refer back to it together and help students see it as a tool available to them. Also, remember to let students refer to it as much as they need to until they know slope intercept form well enough to not need to use it anymore.
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Recap for using slope intercept form foldable
When you use this foldable you’re giving your students a reference that they can use often. Under each flap you can put what the letter stands for as well as how it relates to graphing a line on a graph. Finally, remember that there are multiple ways to support learning with this foldable.
Using this foldable with your class and gives them an anchor to go back to again and again. It’s easy to create, but can be a great boost for student learning.
Thanks for reading. You can find this and a whole bunch of other print-and-go foldables below:
