Finding slope is one of those super important topics that just keeps coming around, even years later in calculus. Kids see it first around 7th grade and it continues being part of the curriculum just about every year after that. In this post, I want to show you some of the slope activities I have made over the years, many of which have gotten digital updates recently.Since originally writing this post, I have updated many of my algebra activities with links to digital versions. These updates were added to the original files so that you can continue using the activities in print or digital form.
Fun Slope Activities
If you're not already subscribed to my blog, there are a set of slope task cards with a fun mystery message included in my free math resource library.
 |
| Slope sorting activity - print version |
I love sorting activities because they give students lots of confidence in the very early stages of learning a new topic. There are finite categories and answers, so students can rely a little on process of elimination. This can often be the boost kids need to push themselves through tough topics.
This slope sorting activity was updated to include a link to an interactive GOOGLE Slides version.
Slope sorting activity - digital version
 |
| Slope digital math escape room |
I've also been making some digital-only activities for classrooms with technology. This slope digital math escape room is an answer-validated Google Form with no outside links. Students find slope in tables, graphs and coordinate pairs to crack 5 codes.
 |
| Slope scavenger hunt |
One of my classes this year responds really well to scavenger hunts. If you have never done a scavenger hunt, the idea is pretty simple. Students do the big problem on each slip of paper, record their answer on their answer sheet, then find their answer on the smaller box on another slip of paper. This goes on until all problems are done.
I hang the papers in random order in the room or in the hall outside of our classroom. The very best thing about scavenger hunts is how super easy they are to grade! Students can start on any slip of paper. From there, the slip number order on correct answer sheets will all be the same! A super quick scan of the side of a student's answer sheet reveals if they got all problems correct. Students also know immediately if they did something wrong because their scavenger hunt will "short circuit" back to a problem they have already done. I added some QR code hints on some of the trickier problems.
 |
| "2 Truths and a Lie" slope error analysis |
Here's a newer "2 Truths and a Lie" slope error analysis activity for analyzing slope. Students are presented with 3 depictions of slope and 3 statements. They then have to figure out with statement is false (the "lie") and correct the lie on their answer sheets.
 |
| Comparing slope foldable |
Slope can give students some trouble, so I made this comparing slope foldablefor students to compare and contrast slopes and to see that the same slopes can be depicted in different ways.
And this is a slope flippable that is included in this set of linear equations flippables. The pieces print on one sheet of paper. Just print, cut, stack and staple. The booklet becomes a nice standalone slope reference or part of a student notebook.
| Slope task cards (free resource library) |
I don't give many tests, which I know may be controversial. What I give instead to summarize understanding are task cards. The way I see it is that I answer so many questions during tests - and then feel guilty about it - that I might as well use the time to give a learning activity where questions are welcomed.
The other big reason I don't give many tests is that most of my students have failed math tests repeatedly and I just don't want to be part of that for them. Task cards work great as a way to sum up learning in a low-stress way.
| Slope task cards - digital version |
I updated this set with a link to a Google Form version for paperless classrooms and remote learning. This set of task cards includes a fun mystery message. These slope task cards are free in my blog's math resource library.
 |
| Slope tree |
If you know you're going to be out, or it's the day before a vacation, or you're just in need of some classroom brightening, this slope tree doubles as math classroom decor.
I took this photo of a sample at home and it's still hanging on my wall months later!
 |
| Slope pennant |
Math pennants are another great way to engage students and also build classroom décorfor days leading up to conferences, Back to School night or holidays. Students love seeing their work displayed, especially when they can personalize it with colors.
If your students like showing off their creativity, I have a bunch more math pennants in this post.
This is a quick 16-piece puzzle that covers positive, negative, zero and undefined slopes.
 |
| Slope 4 ways puzzle - digital version |
I added a link to a digital GOOGLE Slides version into the Slope 4 Ways puzzle file so you have both the print and digital versions.
 |
| Slope puzzle - print and digital |
This largerslope puzzle activityhas students matching tables, graphs, equations, ordered pairs and right triangles with the same slopes. It also comes in both print and digital form.
 |
| Slope Activities Bundle |
Activities from this post can be found inside thisbundle of slope activities.
 |
| Slope Partner Scavenger Hunt |
My friend Kara from Learning Made Radical and I have recently started working together on a new type of partner activity. They are partner scavenger hunts where students work on unique problems that yield the same answers.
The one above is a slope partner scavenger hunt.If partners find the same slope between the unique points they are given, then they know that their work is correct. If their answers differ, then partners can help each other find mistakes. This activity was recently updated with an interactive Google Slides digital version.
 |
| Rate of Change Solve 'n Check Task Cards |
I wanted to make an activity that would be self-checking to increase student independence (and cut down on grading) and finally came up with these Solve 'n Check task cards. This set covers rate of change in tables, graphs, coordinates and equations. The equations are only included in cards 11-20, in case you have students who aren't there yet. There are 2 versions of the answer sheet included-- one for all 20 cards and one for just the first 10 cards for a shorter activity.
