Subject/Grade level: 12th grade Pre-Calculus

Unit topic: Polynomial functions

Lesson goals: Complete understanding and application of finding zeros/x-int. using synthetic
division and factoring
Lesson title or title: Finding zeros of polynomial functions
Estimated length of lesson: 1 class period

TEKS: P.5(J) Solve polynomial equations with real coefficients by applying a variety of
techniques such as factoring, graphical methods, or technology in mathematical and real world
problems.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to identify zeros from a given polynomial functions
using different methods.
Academic language:
 Zeros
 x-intercepts
 Polynomial
 Factor
 Turning points
 Multiplicity
 Synthetic division
Grouping: Students will be in groups of 3 to complete a fun activity.

Materials:
 Bell ringer
 Story
 Activity
Resources:
 Precalculus McGraw Hill textbook

Connection to other subjects: I will be incorporating reading into the activity by having them
read the story of the murder mystery we are solving.
Introduction: I will begin the lesson by posting a question on our projector as their warm-up to
refresh their memories on what we will be going over today. After, I will go over the bell ringer
with them and briefly go over all the topics that we will be exploring.
Teacher modeling: I have already modeled the material but I will be doing an example through
the bell ringer to remind them what exactly they should expect.
Questions I will ask:
 What is the shape of the polynomial function?
 What is the term with the highest degree?
 Do any of the terms share anything in common?
 What method can we use to factor our polynomial?
Body of the lesson:
After introducing the material once again (very briefly because they have seen it the past 3 days),
I will go over the bell ringer with them. When we have finished, I will explain all the instructions
that are needed to solve our murder mystery. After I finish giving instructions, I will pass out the
mystery story and their investigation worksheet. They will be in groups of 3 and will be working
at their own pace.
Closure: As the groups finish, they will debrief with their peers on all the functional methods
they used to solve the murder mystery, what they thought of the activity and 3 things they
learned.