Grade Point Average -- Middle & High School Math Project

An attempt to cure the shortsightedness of underclassmen

It’s Friday. The Friday. The Friday that signals the end of the grading period. Students dig deep in their backpacks, bake a dozen cookies to schmooze a teacher and turn in as many missing assignments as possible before the final bell. The Honor Roll, the basketball team, and everyone’s cell phone privileges are decided on this day. As important as it is, some students are not sure how to calculate their GPA.Perhaps that changes in this new 21st Century Math Project.

Name: Grade Point Average

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra skills)

Math Concepts: Using Formulas, Solving Equations.

Interdisciplinary Connections: Grades, Academics, Advisory

Teaching Duration: 3-4 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 18 Page PDF (1 project and handouts) 

PDF Version: Grade Point Average @ TPT

The Product: Students will analyze transcripts of soon-to-be high school seniors and determine what their grades must be to meet their goal and make suggestions about how they can do it. 

Can I play soccer, dude?

This pains the soul of the math teacher. In this project, students are not just asked to calculate a simple GPA. They are assess the goals of fictional students and determine the grades they will need to reach them. This allows students to solve basic equations and use simple formulas. Content-wise this can be a perfect fit at the end of the first quarter of an Algebra class and could work in a Middle School or High School. However the usefulness of the assignment could assist students at all levels.

In creating the assignment, I have not used weighted grades (colleges don't either!) and I have used 90-100 A, 80-89.999 B... grading scale.

Please help kids understand this. I'm
tired of have 3 kids in our AP courses.

In this 18 page document you will be given a mapping to the Content Standards, an outline for how to implement the project, handout resources for students to use, and an answer key. In all it is three different assignments --

-- In “Grade Point Average” students use report card data to calculate GPAs and determine what grades students need to meet their goals.

-- In “The Hypothetical Game” students will determine the difference between boosting those percentages up in the last week of the quarter. What impact will it have on their overall GPA? Students will find out.

What's college?

-- In “The Transcript” students learn the difference between an “Academic” GPA and the GPA that appears on their transcript. The "Academic" GPA is the measurement that many colleges use which eliminates arts and elective classes from the equation. In this project, students will set goals for the senior years of four different characters to help them achieve their goals. Unless it’s too late.

Wolfram Alpha -- Cool Website Spotlight

There's no better example of a  21st Century Math Project than an awesome site, the mathematically famous Wolfram Alpha. Yes, sure Wolfram Alpha will do your class’s homework for them, but the reality is that that only emphasizes the need for higher order thinking. Computers can solve linear equations, but as of today they still struggle with word problem and application. One day. One day.

Until then the human brain has value!

On its way to growing a real brain!

Well okay, not really. When I decide to create a new middle or high school project, Wolfram Alpha is one of my first stops. In particular when I’m attempting to use global data, I’m able to compare countries very quickly. This is particularly helpful when trying to find interesting mathematical problems and it turns into my own personal inquiry project. For instance if I’m trying to build an assign around GDP and exponential functions, if I choose two countries that do not intersect, it makes for a less mathematically interesting exercise. Of course using one problem built around this case, is worthwhile, but if I built the entire assignment where nothing intersects, it’s weird and useless.

Using Wolfram Alpha in cooperation with one of many Online Regression calculators helps rounds ideas into more precise problems.

There is a pay subscription that would make using this tool infinitely more useful, but I have yet to use it. For anyone with a familiar with vector graphics (like the open source Inkscape; more on this in another post) there is a way to get vector exports of graphs on Wolfram Alpha. In order to make it more usuable in an assignment, you may need to tweak the graphic so using a vector program works well.

Nonetheless, Wolfram Alpha is super duper at helping with answer keys!

If you aren’t using Wolfram Alpha, check it out! 

CSI: Algebra -- STEM Project -- Unit 3 -- Solving Equations

Solve for x. Save Earth.

Nothing like a good criminal investigation to liven up number sense with a 21st Century Math Project! In this project, students will work in teams to investigate the culprit of six fictional thefts. The criminal has left six messages, layered with algebra. Teams will work to build a case and present their findings to the court. Hopefully they are convincing enough to win the verdict.

Name: CSI: Algebra – Solving Equation (Unit 3)

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Primarily Pre-Algebra & Algebra math skills)

Math Concepts: Solving Multi-Step Linear Equations. Translating Verbal to Algebraic Expressions & Using Equations

Interdisciplinary Connections: Middle Eastern Culture and History, Social Studies

Teaching Duration: 2-5 Days with Optional Jury Presentation

Cost: $5 for a 12 Page PDF and Answer Key 

PDF Version: CSI: Algebra 1 -- Solving Equations @ TPT

The Product: Students build a criminal case versus a suspect using evidence from six “crime scenes”. Optional: Jury Presentation of Evidence in front of the class.

Will this actually make my brain turn on?
I'm a little excited. Calm me down!

CSI: Algebra quickly became my most popular 21st Century Math Project on TPT and remains on the top. I’ve shared my projects with a number of teachers, but no lessons get them giddy like my CSI Projects. There’s just something innate and fun about solving the puzzles and solving the crime. And with Math!

When I first sat down to write projects, I wanted to write stuff I would have wanted to do when I was a kid. This was one of the first ones I wrote.

A single lesson sprung into 3 which has spawned my first eBook which covers the entirety of most Algebra 1 curriculums. Depending on its success, I may dive face first into creating more units for Geometry and Algebra 2. If you want to give it a try, have at it. But these take time to craft well.

The Rhind Papyrus. Loaded with 21st Century Math ideas!

In this episode of CSI: Algebra 1, students are taken through a bizarre string of crimes throughout the Middle East – drawing inspiration from its rich (and mathematical) history. Students will solve equations on an Egyptian crest, use a volume equation to calculate the height of a pyramid in cubits, solve an ancient verbal equation problem from the Rhind Papyrus, solve equations with variables on both sides inspired by Hammurabi’s Code and will translate hieroglyphics into a distribution problem. All in a day’s work.

What's that cat worth?

You think they'll actually work harder
to solve complicated problems because
you drew cats? (Answer = yes!)

This project would fit nicely into a Middle School Pre-Algebra class or an Algebra 1 class learning equation solving. I find that these serve well as Chapter Reviews before Tests. Do be careful about how you assign it though, given the problems unique nature, students can be confused about what to do. Given the level of your class you can drop hints and differentiate as needed. My guarantee, you’re best, nerdiest math students will love it!

If you dig this CSI Project, you’ll find plenty more like it @ 21st Century Math Project

Keep your eyes open for the first ever Free for Three, Boomdiggy post. For three hours, I will make a surprise item in my store free. If you show up at the three hours and two minute mark, you will pay -- literally. It'd be super awesome if you'd follow me on Pinterest and extra amazing fantastic if you put a review on TPT!