Rule of Four

Professional Development Outline

Donna Robertson
MIAA 360
Goals
Teachers will become more familiar many of the Mathematics CCSS in Algebra and in
Functions.
Teachers will become more familiar with the Standards for Mathematical Practice.
Teachers will understand the Rule of Four in functions.
Teachers will practice the Rule of Four in multiple situations.
Teachers will be able to create Rule of Four examples and problems.
Preparation and Materials
CCSS and MPS standards
Engage NY Algebra Module 1, Lessons 1 3
Rule of Four Functions Problem sheets
Videos
Power Point on Rule of Four Functions
Poster paper for group presentations
Time
Task
8:30Welcome and Purpose
8:45
Introductions to the facility and the presenters.
Review of the goals of this professional development
The days time schedule of activities
8:45Teachers will talk at their table on their own learning styles in math and
9:45
share out as presenter lists them. Presenter will help teachers to place their
styles into appropriate groupings under these headings: VERBAL,
NUMERICAL, ANALYTIC/ALGEBRAIC, and GRAPHICAL/GEOMETRIC.
Present the Harvard Calculus Consortium quote: Where appropriate,
topics should be presented geometrically, numerically, analytically, and
verbally.
Show and discuss the Power Point slides giving more information on the
four groupings and the tie to different learning modalities. (Provided at the
end of this plan.)
View the YouTube video of a teacher presenting Rule of Four vocabulary
and problems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U1z4bbARhw
(or search for Donna Ward Rule of 4). This video is 11:09 in length.

9:4510:00

break

10:0011:45

11:4512:45
12:451:45
1:452:05
2:052:45
2:453:10

Work together through parts of Engage NY Algebra Module 1, Lesson 1

(Graphs of Piecewise Linear Functions), Lesson 2 (Graphs of Quadratic
Functions), Lesson 3 (Graphs of Exponential Functions). The area of
concentration will be on taking the situations in the lessons opening videos
and creating Rule of Four representations.
Lunch break
Teachers will work in groups of 2 or 3 on various Rule of Four
representations using the hand-outs that have missing parts of either the
situation, graph, expression, or table of values.
Each group chooses and prepares one of their completed Rule of Four
function problems to present to the whole group in the form of a poster.
Group presentations and audience feedback.
Show the Standards for Mathematical Practice and elicit responses from
participants as to which standards best apply to the work done during the
tasks. Have participants do self evaluations by taking blank paper, dividing
it into fourths, and briefly writing or otherwise representing each of the four
components of the Rule of Four in functions.