Graphing with Iron Chef

The project combines function graphing activities involving online Desmos graphing calculator and the Iron Chef eduprotocol. Students are divided into small groups that collaboratively complete dynamic graphing assignments while competing with others groups.

About Me

Name: Sergei Borushko

Grade: 8

Site: Norwood Junior High School

Tech Required

  • Google Slides
  • Desmos (website)
  • Google Classroom
  • Laptops

TRUSD TECH SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

    • Empowered Learner
    • Digital Citizen
    • Computational Thinker
    • Creative Communicator

Learning Outcomes

  • Deepening and expanding the knowledge of Common Core standards involving graphing and interpreting functions and systems of equations (8th grade math: 8.F.3, 8.EE.8; higher math courses: F.IF.7).
  • Gaining collaborative experience.
  • Developing presentation/communication skills.


Student Tech Skills

1) Basic knowledge of Google Slides;

2) Basic knowledge of Desmos Graphing Calculator (www.desmos.com) including the ability to save and export the graph image;

3) Using Google classroom for communication between a teacher and students is recommended.


Graphing Iron Chef templates

The templates are made in Google Slides. Click to save to your Google Drive.

Graphing and Reporting Template (for training purposes)

Two Truths and a Lie

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines


I. Introduction to the Iron Chef EduProtocol

Watch the video about the Iron Chef eduprotocol to understand its potential:

Iron Chef Video

II. Preliminary Practice with Students

  1. The Iron Chef templates can be shared with students via Google Classroom or simply by emailing them from your Google Drive.
  2. If you prefer to use the Google Classroom, then the class needs to be created and the template can be shared as an assignment with the group leaders. The leaders then can submit the completed assignments back to the teacher.
  3. Students need to get familiar with Desmos Graphing calculator. It is a intuitive and easy-to-use learning tool: www.desmos.com.
  4. In addition to graphing functions, students need to learn to share the graphs that they create. They need click the "Share" symbol, then choose "Export Image" to download the PNG image file.

III. Organizing the Iron Chef Graphing competition

  1. Divide students into groups (3-5 people per group) and choose 2-3 judges who will award points during the presentation.
  2. Each group needs to elect a leader who will receive an Iron Chef template file from the teacher via email or via Google Classroom.
  3. The leader then shares the template with his/her group members and collaboration begins. The teacher instructs the groups to make one slide together or each member will make his/her own slide in the template.
  4. The teacher starts the timer (4-8 minutes) and keeps reminding the students about the remaining time.
  5. The leaders need to submit/email the completed template back to the teacher.
  6. Each group should be allocated 2-3 minutes to present their work.
  7. Presentations typically involve not only showcasing the work of the group, but also posing the questions to other groups. For example, "The Truths and a Lie" template assumes that the presenting group will challenge other groups to detect a false statement among their three "facts". Each group, therefore, must answer the question correctly in order to earn points. Each group needs to put their answers on one paper, so the judges can quickly check them.
  8. The competition is wrapped up when the judges tally the points and announce a winner. The points can be given to each group for their presentation and for correct answers to the questions posed by other groups.