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Strategies Sketch & Matrix

CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-BF.A.1 CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.1 CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-LE.A.2 CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A.2 Product Assessment Essential Question Submission Required

In small groups, students generate multiple savings strategies for a car purchase using simple math models. They create a brainstorm document (quantity over quality), concept sketches or storyboards for each idea, a feasibility/impact matrix evaluating factors like cost, effort, and potential savings, and select their top 3 concepts with written rationales. Outputs are organized for later refinement and align with the Creative Problem-Solving rubric.

Plan day
Day 3
Duration
—
Grouping
Small Group
Steps
4 steps

Lesson plan

4 steps
# What teachers do
1 Introduction and overview of the essential question: How can mathematical functions model a successful savings plan for a car? (10 min)
2 Group brainstorming session to generate diverse savings strategies using mathematical models. Encourage creativity without immediate judgment of ideas (15 min)
3 Develop concept sketches or storyboards for each brainstormed strategy. Focus on visualizing the mathematical relationship in each plan (15 min)
4 Create a feasibility/impact matrix that evaluates each strategy on factors such as cost, effort, and potential savings, using mathematical modeling as the basis for evaluation (10 min)
Preparation (3 items)
  • Gather and set up materials such as graph paper, markers, and spreadsheet templates for feasibility matrices.
  • Prepare guidelines and examples of concept sketches to illustrate how mathematical models can be visually represented.
  • Review standards and competencies to ensure alignment when guiding students in their brainstorming and modeling tasks.
Student-facing instructions
You will work in small groups to brainstorm multiple savings strategies for buying a car, applying mathematical models like linear and exponential functions. Create concept sketches to visualize each strategy, then construct a feasibility matrix to evaluate factors like cost, effort, and potential savings. Select the top three strategies with written rationales, which will be refined in future sessions.