Want to help your 8th-9th students see the relationship between an equation, a table and a graph? Grab these FREE Graph Linear Equations Puzzles to create a simple math center.
It never fails. Just when I feel students are confident graphing linear equations and have a clear understanding of how the table relates to the graph and the equation relates to slope and y-intercept, they freeze. At least one student will stare at the paper as if they’ve never seen a table or graph in their life. Then they’ll look at me like, “How in the world am I supposed to know what a slope is?!” Sigh.
If you occasionally get that “deer in headlights” look from students when they need to graph a linear equation, I hope you’ll enjoy this set of puzzles. Though they do require a little prep up front, you can keep them on hand for an easy math center or math station whenever you feel students need a ‘refresher.’
Graph Linear Equations Puzzles: Prep-Work
To begin, I recommend you print all 16 puzzles on card stock paper for durability.
NOTE: The first 8 puzzles include equations written in slope-intercept form. The last 8 puzzles can either be easily re-written in slope-intercept or they are written in standard form.
If your students are not ready for the more challenging equations yet, you can print the first 8 puzzles only.
Once printed, laminate the puzzles so you can use them again and again, then cut out the pieces of each puzzle. There are 3 pieces for each puzzle (an equation, a table and a graph).
Once all pieces and puzzles are cut out, mix them up really well and share with students!
Plus, to make checking the solutions super easy for you (or students!), a single page ‘quick check’ answer key is included of all 16 puzzles.
Print this page as well if you’d like to use it for a quick scan of their matches.
Ideas for Using the Linear Equation Puzzles in Class:
- Math Center: If you have regular math center or stations in your class, this makes a great center option.
- Choice Board: If you provide students with a choice board, you could include the puzzles as a choice board option.
- Small Groups: If you would like all students in the class to work on the puzzles together, you can create 3-4 sets of puzzles and they let students work in small groups to match the pieces and discuss together.
- Bulletin Board Display: Lastly, you can print the puzzles on plain white paper, cut out the pieces and scatter the tables/graphs around the room. Give each student (or pair of students) an equation and let them ‘hunt’ for the matching table and graph. Once you confirm they have a matching puzzle set, they can glue the completed puzzle onto construction paper to hang on a bulletin board or around your classroom.
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Plus, you’ll find more engaging and easy to use math center ideas like this one!
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Ideas for Class Discussion of the Graphing Equations Puzzles:
The goal of this activity is to help students see the connections between an equation, a table and the graph of the equation. So ideally, this activity doesn’t end when students complete the puzzles. If possible, give time for students to share their thinking & strategies for finding matches.
Here are some additional discussion question ideas:
- Where do you see the intercepts in the table? On the graph?
- What is the slope? Where do you see the slope in the table? In the equation? On the graph?
- Would you say the graph is increasing or decreasing? Why?
- What does it mean to be a solution of the equation? Where do you see solutions in the table? On the graph?
Although this seems like a very simple activity, my hope is that it’s a springboard for meaning math conversations, connections and ‘light bulb’ moments for students.
Ready to grab this freebie for your classroom? Use the link below to head to my shop where you can get it free.
{Click HERE to go to my shop and grab the FREE Graph Linear Equations Puzzles Set!}
Looking for more ideas for teaching & exploring linear functions? Check out these:
