Equation, Graph, Table Displays

I just finished a display activity with my 7th graders, and I loved it.  I've used this activity in the past, but not with the success of this go around.  I stole this activity from my days in Oregon and thanks to Shannon McCaw for sharing this and many more activities.

The activity:

• Break up the class into groups of 2 or 3 people
• Distribute a card to each group - the card contains one of the following: graph, equation, table or story
• Students divide a poster into four section and create the other 3 missing parts, depending on what they receive

After the creation of the posters, I did a carousel activity wherein each person wrote a comment(s) on a sticky note complimenting or critiquing other groups work.  Some questions I had them consider:

     1)  Do all representations match or represent the same situation?

     2)  Are all variables defined?  In each section.  (No one had this done)

     3)  Is the presentation easy to read and understand?

     4)  Can you tell what the situation is looking at any given section           (graph, equation, table)

Then, I gave the students 10 minutes to adjust their displays based on the feedback they received.  Every group went back to their displays and changed something.  Most simply labeled their variables, but some groups made more significant adjustments.

The power of this activity is in the critiquing of others work.  Student were able to see how explicit they had to be in their representations, because what is obvious to one person is not to another.  Also, the students had a very difficult time creating a story to match their tables, graphs and equations.  Many groups left the story to the end, and then realized that their representations did match their story.  

This activity lends itself to learning on so many different levels.  I can't wait to do it again!