Desmos Online Graphing Calculator

This is a online graphing calculator that students have access to at school and at home (no account needed). It's imperative that students get familiar with this one since it will be embedded in every district and state assessment.

The CORRECT website is: https://www.desmos.com/testing/texas/graphing. Please be aware that if a student "googles" Desmos Online Graphing calculator, it will bring them to the INCORRECT one.

✅CORRECT✅

Desmos Online Graphing Calculator

❌🙅🚫⛔INCORRECT⛔🚫🙅❌

Desmos Online Graphing Calculator

You'll notice the correct version is specific to Texas. It's programed to have the same functionality as all district and state assessments. We will go over this functionality throughout the year. The incorrect version will have a lot more feature that are NOT available during any assessment we take in class. If the students want to practice like how they will be assessed, they will use the green calculator on the left. 😊

TI-Nspire CX

Both images are of the TI-Nspire CX calculator that we will use in class. You may buy the new version (CX II), but do NOT buy the CAS. That version is not allowed on state tests (SAT, ACT) and in some college courses.

Usage in Class

Grade 7 Math

Since the students are learning only the Grade 7 TEKS, they will not use the calculators until the end of the school year. At that time, teachers will go over basic usage so they are somewhat familiar before they enter 8th grade.

Grade 7 PAP Math

These students cover both 7th grade TEKS and 8th grade TEKS. As a result, they will use the calculator several times throughout the school year, as they will be expected to use it frequently in Algebra the following year.

Intro to Algebra / Grade 8 Math

We will use these calculators nearly EVERY DAY. You will be able to use them on the STAAR test, so it's important that you become familiar on how to utilize all the functions. Of course, I will expect you to know the concepts by hand before I introduce how to use the calculator.

It's NOT required to buy one, but it will certainly help. I've seen them on Amazon for around $140 (sometimes a lot cheaper). Yes, they are expensive, but they can be used even through the end of college. If you do happen to buy one, make sure it's the TI-Nspire CX and NOT the CAS. There are functions on the CAS that aren't allowed on certain state and national exams. Also, you really don't need all the "bells and whistles." If you decide to get one, just buy the calculator (should come with a charger).

PAP Algebra 1

Once the students have demonstrated mastery of the content, we will introduce how to use the calculator with the particular topic. When the students understand the process without a calculator, it helps the student recognize answers that aren't reasonable. We will use the calculator a lot more in the Spring semester. It's NOT required to buy one, but it will certainly help.

Calculator Resources

TI-Nspire_CX_Handheld_GettingStarted.pdf