Unit 4: Sequences and Series

In this unit students will explore sequences and series, specifically arithmetic and geometric sequences and series. Students will learn how to write write sequences in recursive and explicit notation. They will also learn sigma notation and evaluate series in sigma notation. Students will also use Microsoft Excel to build recursive patterns.
Prerequisite Units: None
Materials needed: Computer (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets), Calculator
Approximately 17 Days needed

4.0: Skeleton Tower Activity

In this lesson students are introduced to the patterns. Their task is to develop a formula in explicit notation for how many blocks are needed to build a skeleton tower. I got this activity from a session at an NCTM conference in 2017 and it is a perfect activity for the start of this unit (Mathematics Assessment Project). Students are put into groups of 3-4 to work through each task. Then they create a presentation where they walk their classmates through each exercise and explain how they determined their explicit formula. I give students enough blocks to build a skeleton tower with a spine of height 6, but not more than that. Not all groups complete their final exercise in the time they are allotted. For those groups they have to explain their ideas to the class and where they are stuck as part of their presentation.

Skeleton Towers Activity Task Sheet

Mathematics Presentation Rubric

WORD DOCUMENT
File Size:	116 kb
File Type:	docx

Lesson 4.1 Guided Notes (Word)
File Size:	36 kb
File Type:	docx

Lesson 4.1 Guided Notes (PDF)
File Size:	107 kb
File Type:	pdf

Problem Set 4.1 (PDF)
File Size:	53 kb
File Type:	pdf

Problem Set 4.1 Solutions
File Size:	676 kb
File Type:	pdf

Unit 4: Sequences and Series

4.0: Skeleton Tower Activity

4.1: Introduction to Google Sheets and Sequences

Lesson 4.1 Video This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed. ​ ​

4.2: Arithmetic Sequences

Lesson 4.2 Video This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed. ​ ​

4.3: Sums of Arithmetic Series

Lesson 4.3 Video This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed. ​ ​

4.4: Geometric Sequences and Series

Lesson 4.4 VideoThis video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed. ​ ​

4.5: Excel/Google Sheets Tutorial

Lesson 4.6: Geometric Sums

Lesson 4.6 Video This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed. ​ ​

Additional Resources

Lesson 4.1 Video
This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed.

Lesson 4.2 Video
This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed.

Lesson 4.3 Video
This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed.

Lesson 4.4 Video
This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed.

Lesson 4.6 Video
This video may not reflect the guided note sheets perfectly. It can be used to flip the classroom or give the instructor guidance as to how the guided notes are designed.