Content Area: Math

 

Index: 4.2A Grade 8 CPI 2

 

Standard: 4.2 - Geometry and Measurement

 

Strand: A - Geometric Properties

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 2 - The student will understand and apply the Pythagorean theorem.

 

Grade: 8

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        Students construct squares on each side of a right triangle on a geoboard and find the area of each square. They repeat this process using several different triangles, recording their results in a table. Then they look for patterns in the table.

 

·        Students measure the distance diagonally from first to third base on a baseball field and compare it to the distance run by a player who goes from first to second to third. They note that it is a shorter distance diagonally across the field than it is along the two sides. They repeat this type of measuring activity for other squares and rectangles, noting their results in a table and discussing any patterns they see. They calculate the square of each of the three sides of each triangle, record their results in a table, and look for patterns.

 

·        Students draw right triangles on graph paper with legs of specified lengths and measure the lengths of their hypotenuses. They record their results in a chart and look for patterns.

 

·        Students create a small right triangle in the middle of a ten-by-ten geoboard or on dot paper and then build squares on each side of the triangle. They record the areas of the squares and look for a relationship involving these areas.

 

·        Students use tangram pieces to build squares on each side of the middle-sized triangular tangram piece. They then describe the relationship among the areas of the three squares.