Subject: Basic Calculus

Grade Level: Grade 11

Topic: Chapter 2 Unit 1 Lesson 5.2 The Equation of a Tangent Line
Content Standard: The learners demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts of
derivatives.
Performance Standard: The learner shall be able to formulate and solve accurately
situational problems involving extreme values.

Objective:
1. Relate the derivative of a function to the slope of the tangent line.
STEM_BC11D-IIIe-3 (Note: This is the LC)
2. Understand the concept of limits as they pertain to derivatives.
3. Apply the derivative to solve real-world problems involving rates of change.

Learning within the curriculum:

1. The concept of limits in calculus is foundational for understanding derivatives. In
the previous lesson, students learned about limits and how they are used to define
the derivative. This connection is vital as it allows students to see how derivatives
are derived from limits, reinforcing their understanding of both concepts.
2. The application of derivatives in finding local maxima and minima of functions. In a
subsequent lesson, students will explore how to use derivatives to determine the
highest and lowest points of a function, which is crucial in optimization problems in
various fields like economics and engineering, thereby extending their understanding
of the practical applications of derivatives.

Learning across the curriculum:

1. Physics: The concept of velocity as the derivative of position with respect to time.
This relates to the objective as it shows how derivatives can be applied in
understanding motion, where the slope of the position-time graph gives the velocity,
demonstrating a real-world application of derivatives.
2. Economics: The concept of marginal cost as the derivative of the total cost
function. This connects to the objective by illustrating how derivatives are used to
analyze costs and optimize production levels in business contexts, providing
students with a clear understanding of the relevance of calculus in economic
decision-making.

Elicit:
Teaching Strategy: Cooperative Learning
Instructional Materials: Whiteboard, markers
Anecdote 1: "When I was your age, I used to ride my bike along a straight road. I
noticed that the faster I pedaled, the quicker I reached my friend’s house. This
experience relates to how we can measure speed, which is like finding the slope of a
line that represents my journey over time."
Anecdote 2: "In our Filipino culture, we often say that patience is a virtue. Just like
when we wait for a fruit to ripen, we can think of the changes in the fruit's size over
time as a way to understand growth rates, similar to how we measure changes in
functions using derivatives."

Engage:
Teaching Strategy: Interactive Learning
Instructional Materials: Graph paper, rulers
Energizer 1: "Slope Race" - Students will create a simple linear graph on graph
paper and find the slope by selecting two points. They will then race to see who can
calculate the slope the fastest, fostering a competitive yet collaborative environment.
Energizer 2: "Tangent Line Challenge" - In pairs, students will use a ruler to draw a
tangent line on a given curve (a simple quadratic function). They will then discuss
with their partner how the slope of their line relates to the function's behavior at that
point, promoting peer-assisted learning.

Explore:

Activities
Activity 1: Tangent Line Exploration
Teaching Strategy: Inquiry-Based Learning
Materials: Graphing software or graph paper, rulers
Significance: This activity allows students to visualize the concept of tangent lines
and their slopes, enhancing their understanding of derivatives as rates of change.

Instructions:
1. Choose a simple function (e.g., f(x) = x^2).
2. Graph the function using graph paper or graphing software.
3. Select a point on the graph and draw a tangent line at that point.
Rubrics:
- Accuracy of the graph: 5 pts.
- Correctness of the tangent line: 5 pts.
- Explanation of the slope: 5 pts.

Assessment Questions:
1. What does the slope of the tangent line represent?
2. How does changing the point on the function affect the slope of the tangent line?
3. Can you find a point where the slope is zero? What does that mean?
Activity 2: Real-World Application of Derivatives
Teaching Strategy: Project-Based Learning
Materials: Access to a real-world scenario (e.g., speed of a car, growth of a plant)
Significance: Students will apply their knowledge of derivatives to a real-world
context, reinforcing the practical significance of calculus.

Instructions:
1. Choose a real-world scenario involving rates of change (e.g., speed of a vehicle).
2. Collect data relevant to your chosen scenario over time.
3. Calculate the derivative (rate of change) based on your data and present your
findings to the class.

Rubrics:
- Relevance of chosen scenario: 5 pts.
- Accuracy of calculations: 5 pts.
- Clarity of presentation: 5 pts.

Assessment Questions:
1. How did you determine the rate of change in your scenario?
2. What challenges did you face in collecting and analyzing your data?
3. How can understanding derivatives help in everyday life?

Explain:
Activity 1 - The derivative represents the rate at which a function is changing at any
given point, which is visually demonstrated through the slope of the tangent line.
Understanding this concept allows students to connect graphical representations to
algebraic definitions, deepening their comprehension of calculus.
Activity 2 - Limits provide the foundational definition of derivatives, illustrating how
we can find the slope of a curve by examining the behavior of the function as we
approach a specific point. This connection between limits and derivatives is crucial
for students to grasp advanced calculus concepts.
Activity 3 - The application of derivatives, such as finding local maxima and minima,
showcases the practical utility of calculus in various fields, allowing students to see
the relevance of their studies in real-world situations.

Elaborate:
Teaching Strategy: Experiential Learning
1. Task: Students will conduct an experiment measuring the speed of a toy car
rolling down a ramp. They will calculate the average speed at various intervals and
then use the concept of derivatives to find the instantaneous speed at a particular
point.
2. Task: Students will create a diary of a growing plant, measuring its height daily.
They will analyze the growth rate and apply derivatives to determine the rate of
growth at specific intervals.
Discussion: Students will share their findings and discuss how understanding rates
of change can apply to various real-life situations, such as vehicle speeds or plant
growth, reinforcing the relevance of derivatives.

Evaluate:
Teaching Strategy: Formative Assessment

Questions:
1. How does the slope of a tangent line relate to the derivative of a function?
2. In what situations might you need to calculate the derivative in real life?
3. Why is it important to understand limits when studying derivatives?

For Higher Order Thinking Skills:

Questions:
1. How can understanding derivatives help in predicting future trends in economics?
2. In what ways can derivatives be applied in different scientific fields?
3. Describe a scenario where a derivative might not exist, and explain why.

Answers:
1. Understanding derivatives allows economists to analyze rates of change in
markets, helping to forecast economic trends.
2. Derivatives are used in physics to analyze motion, in biology to study population
growth, and in engineering to optimize designs.
3. A derivative might not exist at points where the function has a sharp corner or
discontinuity, as the slope cannot be defined at those points.

Extend:
Teaching Strategy: Contextualized Teaching
Instructional Materials: Real-life scenarios
Usecase 1: Students will analyze the speed of a bus in their community, measuring
how changes in traffic conditions affect its speed over time, applying the derivative
concept to real-world transportation systems.
Usecase 2: Students will monitor the growth of a local tree, measuring its height
over weeks and applying derivatives to predict future growth, thus connecting
calculus concepts to environmental studies and conservation efforts.

Assignment:
1. Write a short essay on how derivatives are used in your everyday life, providing at
least two specific examples. You may use interviews, observations, or research to
support your points.