Beacon Lesson Plan Library

Diagonal Lengths

M Dennis

Description

Students collect, organize, and analyze data while studying the Pythagorean Theorem. They measure the length and width of several rectangular objects and compare the measured results to the calculated results.

Standards

Florida Sunshine State Standards
MA.C.3.3.1
The student represents and applies geometric properties and relationships to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.

Numeric Problem Solvers
03 Florida students use numeric operations and concepts to describe, analyze, communicate, synthesize numeric data, and to identify and solve problems.

Responsible and Ethical Workers
05 Florida students display responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, selfmanagement, integrity, and honesty.

Cooperative Workers
08 Florida students work cooperatively to successfully complete a project or activity.

Materials

-Calculators
-Metric rulers
-Wooden rectangular blocks
-Books
-Rectangular desk top
-Teacher-made worksheets (see attached file)
-Pencils for students to record data

Preparations

1. Compose and make copies of worksheet.
2. Gather blocks and books to be measured.
3. Gather metric rulers.

Procedures

1. Teacher leads a class discussion in Pythagorean Theorem

2. The teacher reviews:
a) Using metric ruler
b) Exponents
c) Square Roots

3. The class is divided into groups of three students (designate student A, B, and C in each group).

4. The groups will be working at a rectangular desk or table.

5. Each group is given a metric ruler, block, and book.

6. Teacher-made worksheets are passed out.

7. In each group, student A measures the length, width, and diagonal of the block, while student B records the data. Student C uses the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the length of the diagonal of the block.

8. In each group, student B measures the length, width, and diagonal of the book, while student C records the data. Student A uses the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the length of the diagonal of the book.

9. In each group, student C measures the length, width, and diagonal of the desk while student A records the data. Student B uses the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the length of the diagonal of the desk.

10. The groups are given 40 minutes for the students to measure and record information.

11. Each group shares their results in a teacher directed discussion.

Assessments

1. Worksheet
a) Measurement of length is correct.
b) Measurement of width is correct.
c) Measurement of diagonal is correct.
d) Pythagorean Theorem was used correctly.

2. Teacher observation
a) Contributes to class discussion
b) Uses calculator effectively
c) Works well in group

Attached Files

This is a classroom worksheet to record the length, width, and diagonal of the book, block, and desk. File Extension: pdf