Linear vs Nonlinear Functions Pixel Art

Distinguishing linear from nonlinear functions doesn’t have to be stressful and boring for you or for your students. This winter-themed pixel art activity transforms the task of identifying functions from being stressful and boring activities that bore students silly for you and your students. This is because for a long time, the task has involved hurrying through the activity on a sheet or making educated guesses about examples.

There are twenty problems where students decide if the function is linear or nonlinear based on graphs, equations, and tables. This variety in representation serves its purpose. Rather than learning one concept and applying it throughout to ensure it works this way too, students make connections between different forms of the same thing.

Each time the student gets it right, another section of the winter pixel art appears. When an answer is put in that’s incorrect, nothing unlocks to solve it; this forces students to go back and try again.

This is completely self-correcting in the most positive way possible—with no penalty to be suffered by understanding something anew.

There is nothing to prepare for this activity. You won’t have to set anything up, explain complicated instructions, or prepare anything else. Just put the digital version of this activity out, and the students can get started. It is perfect for a day when you have small groups while you are instructing, and you have the remainder of the class productively busy.

You also have access to an accompanying worksheet that is printable so that you have options when technology is not an option or if you are wanting to do an assessment or review on paper. There is an answer key that you or your students are able to use if you choose to grade it quickly.

Teachers especially appreciate the versatility of this activity. It can be used for class review or for independent practice. It can be used on the computer and worked on as a class, used for a quick assessment, completed for homework, or kept on file for sub plans. Early finishers can get right into the activity without further instruction, and struggling students will get immediate feedback to help them correct their mistakes.

The students examine each function to determine if it is linear or nonlinear and quickly see the effect of this determination. This provides instantaneous feedback to give them confidence and conviction to move the process along. If you are trying to find a winter math activity that will reinforce an essential concept while not adding any prep or grading work to your plate and can do multiple formats, this pixel art assignment fits the bill. It is well-organized and fun to do; exactly what busy classrooms need.