Activity Overview
The perfect activity for your students during the end of year transition program. In this creative and mathematical activity students will use their knowledge of basic polynomials to design and graph a holly leaf. By combining linear and quadratic functions students will shape the characteristic curves of a holly leaf’s edges and veins.
Objectives
Reinforce a basic knowledge and understanding of transformations of basic polynomials (quadratic) including reflections, translations and dilations. Students can also use simultaneous equations to determine points of intersection and corresponding domain restrictions. The novelty of the end product (Holly Leaf) is what makes the activity fun and memorable. Students can be extended by encouraging more complex arrangements of the functions used to more closely resemble an actual holly leaf.
Vocabulary
- Transformation
- Translate
- Dilate
- Reflect
- Simultaneous equations
- Domain restrictions
- Circle equation
About the Lesson
This hands-on activity encourages students to experiment with transformations—shifting, stretching, and reflecting their polynomials, to align them perfectly. Along the way, they’ll deepen their understanding of how polynomial equations shape graphs, all while producing a unique and artistic holiday-themed creation.