Jamie Davis Design Project Portfolio
Pythagorean Theorem
Intent of Project
The intent of this unit is to helps students learn about Pythagorean Theorem at their own pace, through interesting activities.
Topics to be Covered:
- Who is Pythagoras?
- Proof behind Pythagorean Theorem
- Finding missing side of right triangle
- Solving Real World Problems
- Finding distances on Coordinate Plane
Needs Analysis for Pythagorean Theorem
THE PROBLEM: All students learn different ways, at their own pace. This course will allow students to explore Pythagorean Theorem at their own pace in multiple different ways.
WHAT IS TO BE LEARNED: Students will learn the history of the mathematician, Pythagoras. After learning about the Greek culture, then will begin to see why the Pythagorean Theorem is important still today. Once the students have learned the history, they will begin to explore the Theorem, and see why does the theorem work, when is the theorem used. By the end of the course students will be able to create their own right triangles based on Pythagorean's theorem.
THE LEARNERS: The learners will be 7th grade students.
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTEXT: The majority of the activities will occur online, by the individual. Some activities will ask the learner to participate with hands-on activities.
EXPLORING THE PROBLEM AND SOLUTION: Learners will have the chance to participate in connecting math to real life through different activities. Upon completion students will be able to reflect upon their learning, and see the importance of Pythagorean Theorem today.
GOALS: For students to explore Pythagorean Theorem at their own pace, and see why these theories made long ago still exist today.
Performance Objectives
Through the participation in this interactive online course, students will be able to:
- determine the importance of history in mathematics.
- identify a right triangle.
- solve for a missing side measurement of a right triangle.
Task Analysis
Course Purpose
The purpose of this course is to provide a different way of learning, past notes on a blackboard, for students to become successful at their own pace.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- describe the importance of Pythagoras from history in mathematics.
- identify the parts of a right triangle.
- demonstrate use of Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems.
- determine if 3 measurements create a triangle, a right triangle, or no triangle.
- make sense of problems, and persevere to solve them. (New Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice -www.corestandards.org)
- choose future online units.
Prerequisite Skills
Essential Skills
In order to reach the goals of this unit, students must know how to/be able to:
- determine important information from a reading.
- think critically while reading.
- understand perfect squares, and square roots.
- use a calculator to find square roots of non-perfect squares.
- graph simple points on a coordinate plane.
- find distance of horizontal and vertical measurements from coordinate plane.
Supportive Skills
In order to reach the goals easier, students should:
- ask questions of the reading (Who?, What?, Where?, Why?, When?, How?, What is important?).
- look at the refresher pages before starting a new activity.
Curriculum Map
Take a look at the Sequence of Activities: Curriculum Map for Pythagorean Theorem
Resources and References
All of the following may be useful to you, as they have helped me create this unit.
New Common Core Standards www.nylearns.org
New Common Core Standards www.corestandards.org