Features of Functions *
A-SSE.3, F-IF.3, F-IF.4, F-LE.1, F-LE.2, F-LE.6: Students investigate changing situations that are modeled by quadratic and exponential forms of expressions and create equivalent expressions to reveal features (Factored form to reveal zeros of a quadratic function, standard form to reveal the y-intercept, vertex form to reveal a maximum or minimum) that help understand the meaning of the problem and situation being investigated (driver of investigation 1, making sense of the world).
Investigate patterns, such as the Fibonacci sequence and other mathematical patterns, that reveal recursive functions.
*Factored form to reveal zeros of a quadratic function, standard form to reveal the y-intercept, vertex form to reveal a maximum or minimum. (CDE 2023, 42)
California Department of Education. 2023. Mathematics Framework Chapter 8. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Education.
Big Idea Success Criteria
The categories and their related standards below unpack the success criteria of this big idea.
Primary Standards
- Interpret functions that arise in applications in terms of the context. [Linear*, exponential, and quadratic] (F-IF.4 ) (CDE 2013, 91)
- F-IF.4. For a function that models a relationship between two quantities, interpret key features of graphs and tables in terms of the quantities, and sketch graphs showing key features given a verbal description of the relationship. Key features include: intercepts; intervals where the function is increasing, decreasing, positive, or negative; relative maximums and minimums; symmetries; end behavior; and periodicity (CDE 2013, 91).
- Construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential models and solve problems.(F-LE.1) (CDE 2013, 92)
- F-LE.1. Distinguish between situations that can be modeled with linear functions and with exponential functions.
- Prove that linear functions grow by equal differences over equal intervals, and that exponential functions grow by equal factors over equal intervals.
- Recognize situations in which one quantity changes at a constant rate per unit interval relative to another.
- Recognize situations in which a quantity grows or decays by a constant percent rate per unit interval relative to another (CDE 2013, 92).
- F-LE.1. Distinguish between situations that can be modeled with linear functions and with exponential functions.
- Interpret expressions for functions in terms of the situation they model. (F-LE.6) (CDE 2013, 93)
- F-LE.6. Apply quadratic functions to physical problems, such as the motion of an object under the force of gravity. CA (CDE 2013, 101)
*Note: The Big Idea of Features of Functions in Algebra 1 focuses on quadratic and exponential forms of expressions while the linear forms of expressions are focused on Algebra 1 Model with Functions.
Primary Standards
- Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems. [Quadratic and exponential] (A-SSE. 3) (CDE 2013, 99)
- A-SSE.3. Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain properties of the quantity represented by the expression.
- Factor a quadratic expression to reveal the zeros of the function it defines.
- Complete the square in a quadratic expression to reveal the maximum or minimum value of the function it defines (CDE 2013, 99).
- A-SSE.3. Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain properties of the quantity represented by the expression.
- Construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential models and solve problems. (F-LE.2) (CDE 2013, 92)
- F-LE.2. Construct linear and exponential functions, including arithmetic and geometric sequences, given a graph, a description of a relationship, or two input-output pairs (include reading these from a table) (CDE 2013, 93).
*Note: The Big Idea of Features of Functions in Algebra 1 focuses on quadratic forms of expressions while the linear and exponential forms of expressions are focused on Algebra 1 Model with Functions.
Primary Standards
- Understand the concept of a function and use function notation. [Learn as general principle; focus on linear and exponential and on arithmetic and geometric sequences.] (F-IF.3) (CDE 2013, 66)
- F-IF.3. Recognize that sequences are functions, sometimes defined recursively, whose domain is a subset of the integers. For example, the Fibonacci sequence is defined recursively by f(0) = f(1) = 1, f(n + 1) = f(n) + f(n − 1) for n ≥ 1 (CDE 2013, 66).
California Department of Education. 2013. California Common Core State Standards. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Education.
Alternative Means of Expression
The following options give educators and IEP teams viable alternative means of expression a student could use when showing their understanding of this big idea. Much of the initiative team’s approach to identifying options centered on developing or adopting performance tasks to show what assessment might look like for this big idea.
Remember, LEAs adopt their own policies related to how a student meets the requirements for graduation. Educators and IEP teams should explore these resources with knowledge of these local policies.
General Guidance with Selecting Options for this Big Idea
Features of Functions can be expressed using visual/graphic representations or hands-on materials. For Category 1 students can use cards, which represent functions, rules, graphs, and data, to manually sort them and properly match them to demonstrate whether they are quadratic or exponential. For
Category 2, they can show the results from their equivalent expressions and the required features such as y-intercept, maximums and minimums, etc. through writing, speaking or digital tools (e.g. text-to-speech, documents, presentations).
Sample Coursework
Project Created Performance Task
Alternate Means of Expression Option 1 is a performance task created by the project team that represents a viable alternate means of expression a school, district, teacher, or IEP team could utilize as an assessment option for this big idea.
Performance Tasks
Alternate Means of Expression Option 2 represent either a single performance task or a set of performance tasks that have been curated from publicly available task repositories that can be used as a viable assessment option.
Card Sort
Alternate Means of Expression Option 3 represent either a single performance tasks or a set of performance tasks that have been curated from publically avaible task repositories that can be used as a viable assessment option.
General Instructions for Completing the Card Sort Independently
- Starting with a card from Set A: Begin by selecting a card from Set A.
- Find its matching card from Set B: Carefully examine the cards in Set B to identify the one that corresponds or matches with the card from Set A.
- Place cards side by side: As you make matches, place the paired cards side by side on a large sheet of paper. Avoid stacking them on top of each other so that you can easily see all your matches and make revisions if needed.
- Explain your thinking: After making a match, take a moment to clearly and carefully explain your thought process. You can do this by writing down your explanation, recording it on a device, or explaining it aloud to yourself.
- Repeat for Set C, D, etc. (if applicable): If the Card Sort includes an additional set of cards, repeat the above steps for this set as well.
Bring Your Own Task (BYOT)
A Call to IEP Teams
We want students’ IEP team members to share their ideas regarding viable alternative means of expression pertaining to this big idea for students with disabilities, including those eligible for the CAA, these teams serve. IEP teams can define viable alternative means of expression for an individual student with an IEP, as long as these mediums meet the local requirements of the coursework.
A Call to Content-based Educators
In addition to IEP teams, we know secondary teachers and district curriculum leads have a wealth of experience and ideas related to innovative ways to assess students’ understanding of this content. We are interested in sample alternative means of expression this community sees as viable assessments of this big idea.
Please use the entry boxes below to share these ideas.
Important Note —These assessment tools will not be shared outside the review of the initiative team and will remain the intellectual property of the users who have made this submission. Furthermore, feedback or comments from the initiative team will not be given to uploaded content, nor does uploading materials imply that the alternative means of expression strategy is a viable option for this big idea.
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