After discussing the slope of a linear line, one Math 102 student asked “How do you find the slope of a parabola?” – led me right to where I was planning to go ;)
I showed them the x y table for a linear and a quadratic and they could totally see how they differed. Next, we will discuss the algebra involved in finding the slope – the first derivative – and apply it to the parabola.

Worked with a student last night on the unit circle, cos goes with x and sin goes with y – it is alphabetical!!

Have also seen lots of logarithms lately including using logs to solve radioactivity and interest/financial problems. Using log 100 = 2 simplifies the procedure (and therefore concept) to the student. Teaching by example (rather than by concept) gets student to understand and remember the material!!