Curve Stories Slides
Curve Stories
Translating Parabolas into Narratives
MATH x STORYTELLING
Warm-up: Motion Sketches
5 Minutes
1. Roller Coaster
Sketch a graph of your height over time as you ride a single hill on a roller coaster.
2. Playground Slide
Sketch a graph of your height over time as you climb the ladder and slide down.
Interpreting Points
Watch closely and look for the "story" behind each coordinate.
Embedded media
PAUSE 1 0:25 — Predictions
PAUSE 2 1:38 — Debts & Profits
PAUSE 3 2:49 — Your Turn!
Pause & Predict
Look at Maria's graph. Before the narrator explains...
What do the X and Y axes represent?
Hint: Think about what someone selling shirts would track.
The Story Components
Y-Intercept
"The Beginning"
What happens at time zero? Initial height, starting price, or startup cost.
Vertex
"The Turning Point"
The peak or valley. Maximum height/profit or maximum debt/lowest point.
X-Intercept
"The Zero Moment"
When does the value hit zero? Landing on the ground or breaking even.
MISSION: THE STORY OF A GRAPH
1
Study the Graph
Look at the direction, the intercepts, and the vertex.
2
Write the Narrative
Compose a 3-sentence story explaining the "Beginning", "Turning Point", and "Zero Moment".
3
Swap & Match
Give your story to a partner. Can they find the graph that matches your tale?
Success Criteria
- ✅ Mention the Starting Value
- ✅ Describe the Turning Point
- ✅ Explain the Final Value (Zero)
- ✅ Keep it creative!
Curve Stories Worksheet
Curve Stories
Parabola Narratives & Interpretation
Name
Date
Warm-up: Motion Sketches
1. Roller Coaster Hill (Height vs. Time)
Height Time
2. Playground Slide (Height vs. Time)
Height Time
Video Predictions & Notes
Pause 1 (0:25)
What do the axes represent on Maria's graph?
Pause 2 (1:38)
What does a negative Y-intercept mean for Darius?
Pause 3 (2:49)
Solve Jennifer's Drone Problem intercepts:
The Story of a Graph
3 SENTENCE STORIES
Case A
0 Vertex: (3, 4.5) (6, 0)
The Tale of Case A
Write 3 sentences explaining the (0,0), the Vertex, and the (6,0).
Case B
(0, 8) Vertex: (1, 9) (4, 0)
The Tale of Case B
Write 3 sentences explaining the (0,8), the Vertex, and the (4,0).
Case C
(0, -5) Vertex: (2, -9) (5, 0)
The Tale of Case C
Write 3 sentences explaining the (0,-5), the Vertex, and the (5,0).
