Mathematics is the study of patterns and relationships. Conceptual understanding of these patterns and relationships provides the foundation for algebraic thinking. In this unit, students move from informal explorations to more formal generalizations and symbolic representations used in algebra. The concepts learned in this unit prepare students for Algebra 1 and for increasingly more complex problems in future mathematics courses.
Concrete and pictorial representations enhance and develop students’ conceptual understanding and increase opportunity to make connections between prior learning and new ideas. In the study of algebra, it is important to use multiple representations, to make connections among the various representations, and to consider how these representations impact student understanding of algebraic relationships. A solid understanding of the conceptual and pictorial representations and relationships allow students to extend their work to the symbolic representations and operations used in algebra.
Students previously explored basic levels of functional relationships, equations, and inequalities. In IM Unit 4, students used ordered pairs, tables, mappings, graphs, and symbols to represent relations and functions. Students make connections to and build upon prior learning in this unit as they explore linear functions, investigate rate of change, use line of fit to make predictions about sets of data, and solve equations and inequalities.
Instructional flow (PDF)
Unit 5 Standards for Investigations into Mathematics (IM)(PDF)
Explanation of what your child should understand by the end of each unit (enduring understandings), how he/she will get to that understanding (essential questions), and how he/she will be evaluated (indicators).
Content map for IM Unit 5 (PDF)
| Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 | Unit 6 | Unit 7 |