AUDIENCE:  7th grade students who mostly live in a rural community.  90% of students were proficient in their 6th grade math.
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS:  Utah Core, Math 7, Standard 3, Objective 2: Represent relationships using graphs, tables, and other models. Model real-world problems using graphs, tables, equations, manipulatives, and pictures. 
Essential Questions:  How can graphs help you in your life?  Why are some equations called linear equations?
Skill Focus:  Creating graphs, linear equations and applying math to real life.
TIMELINE:  About 2 days.  Segment length will depend on students’ prior knowledge and math fluency.
PROCEDURE:  Segment 1:Using an LCD projector, present to the class various graphs, tables and pictures.  Possible resources could be weather websites, financial websites or statistical websites created by government agencies.  (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/warming/etc/graphs.html, http://finance.yahoo.com/, http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/states/49000.html)  Ask the students why the authors of the graphs and tables chose to use graphs and tables to represent their information.  Allow time for discussion.  Ask them where they see graphs and tables in their lives.  Discuss again why people would use graphs or tables to represent information.  
	Tell the students that they will create a graph.  Pass out graph paper.  Have them draw an x-axis and y-axis.  They should label the x-axis, time (months), and the y-axis, allowance ($).  Have them make 12 marks on the x-axis and label each as a month of the year.  Have them make at least 12 marks on the y-axis and label them as multiples of 10 so that 0 is in line with the x-axis.  Tell them that they are going to make a graph to show how much money they would save if they never spent any of a $10.00/month allowance.  On the backside of the graph paper, have them describe what their graph looks like.  Then have them explain why it made the shape that it did.  Ask the students to create an equation that represents the addition of their monthly allowance.   	
	Segment 2:  Using the projector, show the class the enlvm.usu.edu website.  Explain how they can navigate and use the website.  Tell them that they will be working with a partner on the Lesson the Loan activity, http://enlvm.usu.edu/ma/nav/activity.jsp?sid=__shared&cid=emready@lessen_the_loan&lid=3.  They should follow the instructions on the emodule.  They will submit their work as a partnership.
TECHNOLOGY INVOLVED:  The technology involved will be the enlvm.usu.edu website.  This website has emodules created and available for the public to use.  The students will work with a partner to complete the emodule.