Drawing Derivatives (Calculus)

At a glance:

Topics: calculus, derivatives, rate of change, graphing

Grades: 11-12

Standards: EK 2.2A2

Duration to complete: 10-15 minutes

Learning outcome: Students will learn how to visualize a derivative and conceptualize it using the familiar idea of slope on a graphed equation.

Intro for students: Tackle our scariest topic yet -- derivatives in calculus! Understand this infamously difficult topic with ease. This simple drawing game will have you conquering calculus in no time. Enter, if you dare! #derivatives #calculus #math #spookyscary #halloween #drawing #mathgame

What makes this topic challenging for kids?

The topic of derivatives has this sort of mystical, legendary nature surrounding it. Derivatives are feared by your average high school student due to their abstract nature and strange notation.

What’s our approach?

The aim of this experience is to provide a simple illustration for conceptualizing derivatives. The strange dy/dx notation is framed as analogous to slope on a graph. Our experience takes this slope model and makes a fun drawing game out of it.

This experience demystifies derivatives and makes them approachable with its fun drawing minigame.