can you help me with finding the rate of change and slope in algerbra 1?

They are both the same. If you look at a line equation, y=mx+b the rate of change and slope is the m. If you are looking at a graph then to find the slope/rate of change you choos two points usually one after another and then see how many places horizontally (run) over to the right or left. Then you see what the difference is in the rise. Then you make an equation... rise/run (rise over the run) and your teacher my have his preference wether to keep it as a fraction of make into a decimal. Good luck