This realistic and relatable graphing linear functions real world activity will get your students thinking about growth rates and making predictions based on trends. These functions word problems are great for group work and collaboration or can be used as a stand-alone formative assessment!

This resource includes:

– Two pages of student material

– Full teacher answer key

Your students will:

– Find rate of change

– Create two variable equations

– Evaluate and graph linear functions

– Think critically about rate of change and growth

What is the real world scenario?

Robert has decided to plant a pollinator garden to do his part to help the environment. The first flowers that are going to be planted are marigolds. Marigolds are known for attracting bees and ladybugs and driving away unwanted flies and worms.

How is this real life application different from regular Algebra 1 word problems?

Most word problems have one question that needs to be answered and little follow up or detail. My real world math activities stretch one idea or scenario into a meaningful performance task that can be used as a full assessment of student learning.

This application is more than interpreting the question and quickly getting to the answer. Your students will be challenged to think critically about each scenario and defend their solutions.

The best part? All of the topics are relevant and modernized (because kids don’t care about calculating CD sales or cell phone minutes anymore).

Ways you can use this graphing linear functions activity in your Algebra 1 classroom:

⭐Whole Group: This real world math activity is perfect for guided notes and introducing function rules as tables and graphs.

⭐Small Group: Your students can work together to complete this word problems worksheet and have discussions about different strategies for finding rate of change.

⭐ Individual: I have used this activity as a formative assessment for my Algebra 1 students. It usually takes them about one class period to complete on their own.