Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: Marbleslides: Lines

Content Area: Algebra I/Foundations of Algebra
Grade Level(s): 8th/9th

Content Standard Addressed: MGSE9-12.A.CED.2 Create linear, quadratic, and exponential equations in two
or more variables to represent relationships between quantities; graph equations on coordinate axes with
labels and scales.

Technology Standard Addressed: 1c - Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and
improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

Selected Technology Tool: Desmos

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): teacher.desmos.com

https://teacher.desmos.com/activitybuilder/custom/566b31734e38e1e21a10aac8

Type of Instructional Software:

☐ Drill and Practice ☐ Tutorial ☐ Simulation ☒ Instructional Game ☐ e-books/e-references

Features of this software (check all that apply):

☒ Assessment Monitoring/Reporting
☒ Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students
☒ Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class
☐ Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class
☒ Accessible to students beyond the school day
☒ Accessible via mobile devices
☒ Multiple languages
☒ Safety, security and/or privacy features

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding ☒ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☒ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Marbleslides is a great game-type lesson that has students create and
tinker with equations in order to create a path to collect stars. Desmos itself offers a number of ways to
represent equations with functions, tables, and sliders. Many lessons have already been translated into
several languages(this lesson is available in Hebrew and French), but even if not, each lesson can be
customized and translated as needed. In addition, Desmos lessons are usually easily adaptable to partner or
group work.

Lesson idea implementation:

Spring 2018_SJB
 Instructional Software
In this lesson, students will work in pairs to complete the challenges and explain their reasoning. Students
will begin by taking on several challenges that only require them to change a single value in the equation.
From there, students will move forward into making predictions and eventually writing equations from
scratch. The lesson is well scaffolded on its own, but student groups can also discuss and help each other as
needed. This activity should take about 30 minutes and includes several extra challenges at the end should
students finish early. Student feedback will be administered verbally throughout the lesson as students ask
questions and the teacher comments on student work.

The teacher will roam the classroom and provide support as needed. In addition, Desmos allows teachers to
restrict the slides students can see at any one time in order to pace the lesson. Teachers can also take
screenshots of student work and explanations in order to showcase student work and facilitate discussion
among groups. Desmos also features an anonymize and pause features in order to protect student identity
and signal to students that it is time to discuss as a class.

Reflective Practice: Marbleslides has proven to be a very effective way for students to interact with functions
and equations in my classroom. The lesson can easily be extended by creating difficult challenges for
students to tackle with any function type. Many teachers have already designed challenging scenarios, but
you can also easily create custom Marbleslides of your own using Desmos’ lesson designer.

Spring 2018_SJB