The learning progression will be used in a 9th grade high school class. The common core standards that this progression will be aligned to are HSA.REI.C.5, HSA.REI.C.6 and HSA.REI.C.7. Mathematical practices MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, MP3: Construct viable argument and critique reasoning of others and MP5: Use appropriate tools strategically will be aligned to the learning progression as well.
The Pyramids of Giza are an unfathomable creation by the Egyptians. These structures are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. They also make good math problems for students.
The Pyramids can be used when teaching volume of shapes. There are three main pyramids and the students will be looking at the volume of all three. This assignment could also go further, if just finding the area is too easy, by looking at similarity between the three pyramids. Students could find the area of all three pyramids and then look at similarity between the three to see how consistent the Egyptians were in their architecture. The problem can be modified to make it easier or more difficult for the given group of students.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.GMD.A.3
Use volume formulas for cylinders, pyramids, cones, and spheres to solve problems.*
Technology is a growing tool that teachers can use to help in student learning. In a generation where technology is a part of life, teachers can use technology to get students involved and also aid in understanding. In this activity students will be modeling a given scenario with a CBR (Calculator Based Ranger) and then identify important parts of the graph they develop aligned to the Common Core State Standard HSF.IF.B.4. The students will be observing relationships between distance and time and how their movement can model the situation in the worksheet. This activity will get students engaged in the activity because they get to to do something physical. This activity will also aid in students understanding because they will be able to see why the graph is increasing and why the graph is decreasing because they will be doing the action themselves.
Worsheet: What am I doing
In this article you will see a lesson that uses the technology of GeoGebra. GeoGebra is a free software that can do many things. The program allows you to do basic graphing and can find intersections points as well as make shapes. The lesson uses GeoGebra to graph functions that students came up with to model a given situation. The students can use the program to find intersection points in two equations or find end behavior. The lesson uses the GeoGebra as a tool to aid in students learning.
