In Search of Pythagoras
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This learning activity provided by:
Author:
Morgan Boyd
Organization: Retirement
General Activity Information
Activity ID:
1885
Title: In Search of Pythagoras
Digital Tool/Resource: Braining Camp
Web Address – URL:
Overview: Students will discover how the Pythagorean Theorem describes the relationship between the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. By using this digital tool, students will understand the visual and algebraic proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem. Students will apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find missing lengths and to calculate distances between points on the coordinate plane.
This activity results from the ALEX Resource GAP Project.
Associated Standards and Objectives
Content Standard(s):
Mathematics 28. Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths of right triangles, including real-world applications
Unpacked Content
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students: Given real-world and mathematical problems in two and three dimensions,
Apply the Pythagorean Theorem in order to solve problems and justify solutions and solution paths for finding side lengths in right triangles within the problem contexts. Teacher Vocabulary:
Knowledge:
Students know:
The Pythagorean Theorem.
Appropriate labeling of a right triangle,
leg and hypotenuse. Skills:
Students are able to:
Solve equations involving one variable and square root.
Represent real-world and mathematical contexts involving right triangles in a variety of formats
(drawings, equations).
Justify solutions and solution paths using conceptual understandings and vocabulary related to the Pythagorean Theorem (right angle, hypotenuse). Understanding:
Students understand that:
the properties of right triangles can be used to solve problems. Diverse Learning Needs:
Essential Skills:
Learning Objectives: M.8.28.1: Discuss strategies for solving real-world and mathematical problems.
M.8.28.2: Solve problems using the Pythagorean Theorem, with or without a calculator.
M.8.28.3: Identify right triangles.
M.8.28.4: Demonstrate how to find square roots, with or without a calculator.
M.8.28.5: Solve problems with exponents, with or without a calculator.
Prior Knowledge Skills:
Define exponent, numerical expression, algebraic expression, variable, base, power, square of a number, and cube of a number.
Compute a numerical expression with exponents, with or without a calculator.
Restate exponential numbers as repeated multiplication.
Choose the correct value to replace each variable in the expression (Substitution).
Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards
AAS Standard:
Learning Objectives: The student will apply the Pythagorean Theorem to real-world problems using the digital tool, Braining Camp.
Strategies, Preparations and Variations
Phase: After/Explain/Elaborate
Activity: This learning activity is best used after teaching a lesson on Pythagorean Theorem.
The teacher will visit the website Braining Camp and demonstrate to the students how to access the problems. This tool can be used for differentiated instruction and to check for understanding of Pythagorean Theorem.
Place the students into groups of 3 and assign one of the activities (lesson, manipulatives, questions, problems, challenge) from the website.
The students should write their problems and answers from each activity on paper to submit to the teacher at the end of class. This will be used as their exit slip.
Assessment Strategies: The students will be assessed on successful completion of problems from each activity on exit slip.
Advanced Preparation: The teacher will need an internet-connected computer and an interactive whiteboard. The teacher will need to be familiar with the website. The teacher will need to work the different activities so that he/she will be able to assign the correct activity for the students. The students will need internet connected devices (one per group).
Variation Tips (optional):
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
Keywords and Search Tags
Keywords and Search Tags:
