Math lesson plan Β· 11th grade (Year 12 in England) Β· 60 minutes
Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series
Algebra
CCSS HSF.BF.A.2CCSS HSA.SSE.B.4CCSS HSF.LE.A.2England: GCSE Higher Algebra
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Linear sequences: the nth term; Exponential growth and decay
Leads to: Sigma notation and infinite geometric series
Materials: Balance scales or a balance drawing, Algebra tiles, Function machine cards, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up Β· 6 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Linear sequences: the nth term; Exponential growth and decay). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Find the nth term of the sequence 3, 6, 9, 12, β¦ β 3nPrompt: The common difference tells you the number in front of n.
- y = 12 Γ 2Λ£. Find y when x = 3. Round to 2 decimal places if needed. β 96Prompt: Work out the power first.
- The nth term of a sequence is 2n β 1. What is the 20th term? β 39Prompt: Substitute n = 20.
Hook Β· 6 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it Β· 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Find the sum of the first 28 terms of the arithmetic series β7 + (β11) + (β15) + β¦
- Step 1: S = 28/2 Γ (2 Γ (β7) + 27 Γ (β4))
- Step 2: = 14 Γ (β122) = β1708
- Answer: -1708
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice Β· 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the arithmetic series 16 + 13 + 10 + β¦ β 25Prompt: Sβ = n/2 Γ (2a + (n β 1)d).
- A geometric sequence starts 3, β9, 27, β¦ What is the 4th term? β -81Prompt: Find the common ratio r by dividing consecutive terms.
You do: independent practice Β· 17 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket Β· 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Find the sum of the first 6 terms of the geometric series 4 + 8 + 16 + β¦ β 252Prompt: Sβ = a(rβΏ β 1)/(r β 1).
- A geometric sequence starts 3, β9, 27, β¦ What is the 4th term? β -81Prompt: Find the common ratio r by dividing consecutive terms.
Watch out for
- Doing an operation to one side of an equation but not the other.
- Reading 3x as 3 + x, or thinking x always stands for one particular number.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Linear sequences: the nth term.
- Use concrete materials: balance scales or a balance drawing.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Sigma notation and infinite geometric series.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-11.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder