3. Geometry (G)
Eighth Grade
Understand and Use the Pythagorean Theorem
- G.GS.08.01 Understand at least one proof of the Pythagorean Theorem; use the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse to solve applied problems including perimeter, area, and volume problems.
- Figure This! Math Challenges for Families - Figure This! Mathematics challenges for families provides interesting math challenges that middle-school students can do at home with their families. Each challenge features a description of the important math involved, a note on where the math is used in the real world, a hint to get started, complete solutions, a "Try This" section, additional relational related problems with answers, questions to thinks about, fun facts related to the math, and resources for further exploration. Math challenges #3 and 4 are examples of problems that would help teach this particular objective.
- Math.Com (Geometry) - An informational site for teachers and students. There is some interaction for students in the lessons. Students can participate in quizzes at the end of each section. This is the general site for geometry. You will need to choose the area of interest. Great site for middle school geometry.
- Shape Explorer - Students can interact with area and perimeter on various shapes. Students will enjoy interacting with various shapes and observing how perimeter and area are both calculated and relate.
- Soda Constructor - This is a very interactive site in which the students will have the opportunity to actually construct shapes. The teacher must give directions of what shape the students are to construct and the teacher can also request the shape to be something that represents something in our physical world.
- G.LO.08.02 Find the distance between two points on the coordinate plane using the distance formula; recognize that the distance formula is an application of the Pythagorean Theorem.
- Count On - Worm Hunt is great for practicing the coordinate grid. The students choose a coordinate pair to try to find a worm. They get a response to let them know how far they are from the worm, thus the students have to practice figuring distances between points on the grid. This would be an excellent game for 5th and 6th graders.
- Latitude, Longitude, and Map Making - This lesson requires students to review the concepts of latitude and longitude and to use these concepts to create maps of different countries on the computer. They'll conclude by discussing the reasons why it's important to understand latitude and longitude and by creating quizzes in which other students can locate "mystery" places that they map on the computer. The Crack the Code activity has students using a map and latitude/longitude to track down some thieves.
- Taxicab Treasure Hunt - A treasure is hidden in the city. Students are given a map which shows the streets of the city. After picking an intersection, the computer will state how far it is to the treasure by using the shortest distance in blocks. Students need to use this new information, along with the old information, to determine where the treasure is. Students are then asked to write an explanation of the process that they used to locate the treasure. Although this explanation cannot be submitted to the creators of the site, the teacher could informally assess students' problem-solving skills by reading their explanations. Student can also read what other students have written in the past.
Solve Problems About Geometric Figures
- G.SR.08.03 Understand the definition of a circle; know and use the formulas for circumference and area of a circle to solve problems.
- From Corner to Corner - Students are supplied with an on-line ruler and must use it to measure the side of a square and a diagonal. Students then need to analyze the data to develop a rule for estimating the length of the diagonal given the length of the side without actually measuring the length. Students then need to consider if the rule would work for other shapes. They also need to reflect on their rule and submit a short explanation of why it works. (This could also be extended to include the Pythagorean Theorem.)
- Geometry - This is a good site for reviewing basic geometric terms, shapes and shape relationships. It includes animations and some interactivity.
- Geometry from the land of the Incas - Pentagons & Pentagrams - This dynamic geometry software provides an environment in which we can explore geometric relationships and make test conjectures. The site also has a section on Geometry Theorems and Problems and quizzes in other areas mathematics
- Geometric Terms - This is a concentration type game, where the student has to match up the term to the proper definition. The geometric definitions and terms are excellent for refreshing and practice.
- Learning about Length, Perimeter, Area, and Volume of Similar Objects - Students experiment with different ratios of side lengths to interpret the changes in perimeter, area, surface area, and volume. They use their data from perimeter and area to make a line graph and then interpret the reasons for differences in the graphs. They also create tables to organize and easily analyze their volume and surface area data to study the relationship between changes in length in both volume and surface area.
- Math.Com (Geometry) - An informational site for teachers and students. There is some interaction for students in the lessons. Students can participate in quizzes at the end of each section. This is the general site for geometry. You will need to choose the area of interest. Great site for middle school geometry.
- MATHO - Fun way to allow students to review geometry terms. Students may need some simple direction before they begin. Several versions of the game board available.
- More Tangram Activities - Students will use tangram pieces to complete the following objectives: gain a better understanding of area without formulas, compute the area of polygons by decomposition, gain familiarity with the names of certain polygons (e.g., rectangle, trapezoid, and pentagon), learn the meaning of the term "similar", and will develop geometric intuition.
- Native American Geometry - This site describes who Native Americans used geometry is creating there artifacts. Could be used as a lesson in Social Studies as well. Several other links are included. Go to education and then hexagon parts.
- Paper Pool Games - This site allows the student to interact directly with the activity. It is a review of rectangular patterns, beginning skills on gathering data and looking for patterns.
- Quadrilateral Quest - Students assess their skills at matching quadrilaterals with their properties. This is a student interactive site that also includes a quiz.
- Sorting Activities for Polygons - In this activity, students identify and classify polygons according to various attributes.
- Surface Area and Volume - An interactive site for students to compare surface area and volume of different prisms. Student worksheet and teacher lesson plans are included.
- Waldo's Interactive Math Site - This interactive site allows students to manipulate lines, angles and triangles to discover some basic geometric rules. The site is easy for students to use and allows students to discover the rules.
- G.SR.08.04 Find area and perimeter of complex figures by sub-dividing them into basic shapes (quadrilaterals, triangles, circles).
- Bathroom Tiles - Outstanding - Students use an interactive game to perform transformations using reflections and rotations. Three levels of activities are given as well as solutions and hints.
- Constructing Your Own Set of Tangrams - Directions for constructing your own tangram. Extension activities with the pieces are available in which students will produce other shapes (http://forum.swarthmore.edu/trscavo/tangrams/activities.html) and gain a better understanding of area (http://forum.swarthmore.edu/trscavo/tangrams/area.html) with out formulas. These activities seem to be all linked together.
- From Corner to Corner - Students are supplied with an on-line ruler and must use it to measure the side of a square and a diagonal. Students then need to analyze the data to develop a rule for estimating the length of the diagonal given the length of the side without actually measuring the length. Students then need to consider if the rule would work for other shapes. They also need to reflect on their rule and submit a short explanation of why it works. (This could also be extended to include the Pythagorean Theorem.)
- Inversions by Scott Kim - This site has several examples of symmetry using inversions of people's names. It contains teacher lesson plans as well as several examples of various symmetries and unusual tesselations.
- More Tangram Activities - Students will use tangram pieces to complete the following objectives: gain a better understanding of area without formulas, compute the area of polygons by decomposition, gain familiarity with the names of certain polygons (e.g., rectangle, trapezoid, and pentagon), learn the meaning of the term "similar", and will develop geometric intuition.
- Welcome To Symmetry - This unit is designed to recognize the MCTM Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics concerning the need to give increased attention to "Coordinate and Transformation Approaches in Geometry at the secondary level. The lesson also demonstrates increased attention to: the active involvement of students in constructing and applying mathematical ideas; the use of a variety of instructional formats; and the use of computers for learning and doing mathematics. This has links to teacher resources and a student page dealing with symmetry (rotational, reflectional, translational).
- World of Escher - This is a commercial site selling MC Escher tesselations. It would be useful as a reference and has many examples of his art as well as those sent in by others. Check out "gallery" for Escher's work and "contest" for other people.
- G.SR.08.05 Solve applied problems involving areas of triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles.
- Figure This! Math Challenges for Families - Figure This! Mathematics challenges for families provides interesting math challenges that middle-school students can do at home with their families. Each challenge features a description of the important math involved, a note on where the math is used in the real world, a hint to get started, complete solutions, a "Try This" section, additional relational related problems with answers, questions to thinks about, fun facts related to the math, and resources for further exploration. Math challenges #3 and 4 are examples of problems that would help teach this particular objective.
- From Corner to Corner - Students are supplied with an on-line ruler and must use it to measure the side of a square and a diagonal. Students then need to analyze the data to develop a rule for estimating the length of the diagonal given the length of the side without actually measuring the length. Students then need to consider if the rule would work for other shapes. They also need to reflect on their rule and submit a short explanation of why it works. (This could also be extended to include the Pythagorean Theorem.)
- Geometry - This is a good site for reviewing basic geometric terms, shapes and shape relationships. It includes animations and some interactivity.
- Geometry from the land of the Incas - Pentagons & Pentagrams - This dynamic geometry software provides an environment in which we can explore geometric relationships and make test conjectures. The site also has a section on Geometry Theorems and Problems and quizzes in other areas mathematical.
- Geometric Terms - This is a concentration type game, where the student has to match up the term to the proper definition. The geometric definitions and terms are excellent for refreshing and practice.
- Learning about Length, Perimeter, Area, and Volume of Similar Objects - Students experiment with different ratios of side lengths to interpret the changes in perimeter, area, surface area, and volume. They use their data from perimeter and area to make a line graph and then interpret the reasons for differences in the graphs. They also create tables to organize and easily analyze their volume and surface area data to study the relationship between changes in length in both volume and surface area.
- Math.Com (Geometry) - An informational site for teachers and students. There is some interaction for students in the lessons. Students can participate in quizzes at the end of each section. This is the general site for geometry. You will need to choose the area of interest. Great site for middle school geometry.
- MATHO - Fun way to allow students to review geometry terms. Students may need some simple direction before they begin. Several versions of the game board available.
- More Tangram Activities - Students will use tangram pieces to complete the following objectives: gain a better understanding of area without formulas, compute the area of polygons by decomposition, gain familiarity with the names of certain polygons (e.g., rectangle, trapezoid, and pentagon), learn the meaning of the term "similar", and will develop geometric intuition.
- Native American Geometry - This site describes who Native Americans used geometry is creating there artifacts. Could be used as a lesson in Social Studies as well. Several other links are included. Go to education and then hexagon parts.
- Paper Pool Games - This site allows the student to interact directly with the activity. It is a review of rectangular patterns, beginning skills on gathering data and looking for patterns.
- Quadrilateral Quest - Students assess their skills at matching quadrilaterals with their properties. This is a student interactive site that also includes a quiz.
- Shape Explorer - Students can interact with area and perimeter on various shapes. Students will enjoy interacting with various shapes and observing how perimeter and area are both calculated and relate.
- Soda Constructor - This is a very interactive site in which the students will have the opportunity to actually construct shapes. The teacher must give directions of what shape the students are to construct and the teacher can also request the shape to be something that represents something in our physical world.
- Sorting Activities for Polygons - In this activity, students identify and classify polygons according to various attributes.
- Surface Area and Volume - An interactive site for students to compare surface area and volume of different prisms. Student worksheet and teacher lesson plans are included.
- Waldo's Interactive Math Site - This interactive site allows students to manipulate lines, angles and triangles to discover some basic geometric rules. The site is easy for students to use and allows students to discover the rules.
Understand Concepts of Volume and Surface area, and Apply Formulas
- G.SR.08.06 Know the volume formulas for generalized cylinders ((area of base) x height), generalized cones and pyramids ( ?? (area of base) x height), and spheres ( ?? π (radius) 3 ) and apply them to solve problems.
- From Corner to Corner - Students are supplied with an on-line ruler and must use it to measure the side of a square and a diagonal. Students then need to analyze the data to develop a rule for estimating the length of the diagonal given the length of the side without actually measuring the length. Students then need to consider if the rule would work for other shapes. They also need to reflect on their rule and submit a short explanation of why it works. (This could also be extended to include the Pythagorean Theorem.)
- More Tangram Activities - Students will use tangram pieces to complete the following objectives: gain a better understanding of area without formulas, compute the area of polygons by decomposition, gain familiarity with the names of certain polygons (e.g., rectangle, trapezoid, and pentagon), learn the meaning of the term "similar", and will develop geometric intuition.
- G.SR.08.07 Understand the concept of surface area, and find the surface area of prisms, cones, spheres, pyramids, and cylinders.
- Geometry - This is a good site for reviewing basic geometric terms, shapes and shape relationships. It includes animations and some interactivity.
- Geometry from the land of the Incas - Pentagons & Pentagrams - This dynamic geometry software provides an environment in which we can explore geometric relationships and make test conjectures. The site also has a section on Geometry Theorems and Problems and quizzes in other areas mathematics.
- Geometric Terms - This is a concentration type game, where the student has to match up the term to the proper definition. The geometric definitions and terms are excellent for refreshing and practice.
- Learning about Length, Perimeter, Area, and Volume of Similar Objects - Students experiment with different ratios of side lengths to interpret the changes in perimeter, area, surface area, and volume. They use their data from perimeter and area to make a line graph and then interpret the reasons for differences in the graphs. They also create tables to organize and easily analyze their volume and surface area data to study the relationship between changes in length in both volume and surface area.
- Math.Com (Geometry) - An informational site for teachers and students. There is some interaction for students in the lessons. Students can participate in quizzes at the end of each section. This is the general site for geometry. You will need to choose the area of interest. Great site for middle school geometry.
- MATHO - Fun way to allow students to review geometry terms. Students may need some simple direction before they begin. Several versions of the game board available.
- Native American Geometry - This site describes who Native Americans used geometry is creating there artifacts. Could be used as a lesson in Social Studies as well. Several other links are included. Go to education and then hexagon parts.
- Paper Pool Games - This site allows the student to interact directly with the activity. It is a review of rectangular patterns, beginning skills on gathering data and looking for patterns.
- Quadrilateral Quest - Students assess their skills at matching quadrilaterals with their properties. This is a student interactive site that also includes a quiz.
- Sorting Activities for Polygons - In this activity, students identify and classify polygons according to various attributes.
- Surface Area and Volume - An interactive site for students to compare surface area and volume of different prisms. Student worksheet and teacher lesson plans are included.
- Waldo's Interactive Math Site - This interactive site allows students to manipulate lines, angles and triangles to discover some basic geometric rules. The site is easy for students to use and allows students to discover the rules.
Visualize Solids
- G.SR.08.08 Sketch a variety of two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional solids including orthogonal views (top, front, and side), picture views (projective or isometric), and nets; use such two-dimensional representations to help solve problems.
- A Review of Basic Geometry: Space the Final Frontier - Planes, Cylindric solids/surfaces, Conic solids/surfaces, Spheres, Platonic Solids, Archimedian Solids, Pentominoes, Symmetry, Views, and Nets, Map Coloring, and Link to Flatland.
- Cool Math - Middle school problem solving activity to construct non congruent triangle in a dot grid. More of an activity to do off line. You print out a sheet of dots. You can't create them online, although solutions are given.
- Exploring Geometric Solids and Their Properties - Outstanding - Geometric solids are all around us. This site starts out by explaining the parts of a solid and gradually builds to constructing similar solids.
- Figure This! Math Challenges for Families - Figure This! Mathematics challenges for families provides interesting math challenges that middle-school students can do at home with their families. Each challenge features a description of the important math involved, a note on where the math is used in the real world, a hint to get started, complete solutions, a "Try This" section, additional relational related problems with answers, questions to thinks about, fun facts related to the math, and resources for further exploration. Math challenges #3 and 4 are examples of problems that would help teach this particular objective.
- Geometric Constructions - The purpose of this web site is to give students complete directions for using The Geometer's Sketchpad® software to construct the basic geometry constructions encountered in an introductory geometry course. Each sketch is followed by an interactive Java applet. Try dragging various points in the sketch to explore additional cases. The Geometer's Sketchpad® software is available from Key Curriculum Press. Angles, Circles, Inscribed-Circumscribed , Lines, Polygons, Triangles.
- Geometry from the land of the Incas - Pentagons & Pentagrams - This dynamic geometry software provides an environment in which we can explore geometric relationships and make test conjectures. The site also has a section on Geometry Theorems and Problems and quizzes in other areas mathematics.
- Learning about Length, Perimeter, Area, and Volume of Similar Objects - Students experiment with different ratios of side lengths to interpret the changes in perimeter, area, surface area, and volume. They use their data from perimeter and area to make a line graph and then interpret the reasons for differences in the graphs. They also create tables to organize and easily analyze their volume and surface area data to study the relationship between changes in length in both volume and surface area.
- Math.Com (Geometry) - An informational site for teachers and students. There is some interaction for students in the lessons. Students can participate in quizzes at the end of each section. This is the general site for geometry. You will need to choose the area of interest. Great site for middle school geometry.
- MathsNet Interactive Geometry - Solids - Outstanding - This interactive site includes a variety of activities to cover solid geometry. Level of difficulty and topic can be changed by the user.
- Shape Explorer - Students can interact with area and perimeter on various shapes. Students will enjoy interacting with various shapes and observing how perimeter and area are both calculated and relate.
- Soda Constructor - This is a very interactive site in which the students will have the opportunity to actually construct shapes. The teacher must give directions of what shape the students are to construct and the teacher can also request the shape to be something that represents something in our physical world.
- Surface Area and Volume - An interactive site for students to compare surface area and volume of different prisms. Student worksheet and teacher lesson plans are included.
Understand and Apply Concepts of Transformation and Symmetry
- G.TR.08.09 Understand the definition of a dilation from a point in the plane, and relate it to the definition of similar polygons.
- A Fractals Unit for Middle School Students - This site is for kids. It teaches them about dimension of objects and the drawing and measuring of them. Also congruent, parallel and perpendicular lessons.
- About a Line and a Triangle - This site is about rotation of a line around a fixed point. This is a student activity.
- Classification of Patterns - This site contains a complete lesson plan which could be used to introduce geometric transformation. A teacher's guide and some reproducible materials are included. Some of the lesson could be done in and interactive manner on the computer.
- Dilations - An interactive site to experiment with dilations.
- Interactive Transformations - This site allows the student to interact with the computer to discover the difference between translations, rotations, and reflections. It also allows them to make an object larger and do a combination of transformations.
- Learning About Length, Perimeter, Area and Volume - The student learns about length, perimeter, area, and volume of similar objects using interactive figures. This site contains two different interactive components. These activities help the students to learn about geometric relationships among similar objects.
- Math.Com (Geometry) - An informational site for teachers and students. There is some interaction for students in the lessons. Students can participate in quizzes at the end of each section. This is the general site for geometry. You will need to choose the area of interest. Great site for middle school geometry.
- Math Files - Bathroom Tiles - Outstanding - This is a student game where students need to decide how to rotate, reflect, and translate one object to another object. Students can get hints from the computer and can click on "key ideas" to learn more about the various transformations. This is a very interactive site for students.
- Math Forum - This sight gives detailed explanations of tessellation, using history, vocabulary of geometric shapes and the use of symmetry. There are several other links of tessellations including software information.
- MathsNet Interactive - This site includes a variety of activities and information that cover reflections, enlargements, rotations and translations. Activities increase in difficulty so the site is actually appropriate for a wide range of grade levels.
- NCTM Translations,Reflection,Transformations - Interactive site that reviews reflections, transformations, and translations. Students can see the shape go through theses topics.
- Quilts - Students have to decide which type of symmetry is used in a quilt and then replicate that quilt by clicking on the appropriate squares. Because the different types of symmetry used are denoted by H, M, S, and B, this is probably best used in grades 5-6. Teachers should teach students the correct transformational language. This activity involves spatial visualization.
- Symmetries and Their Properties - This "Illuminations" site describes and illustrates rotational symmetry, reflections, translations, and glide reflections. Although the investigation is coded for grades 9-12 this is appropriate and applicable for Middle School.
- The Mathematics of Seminole Patchwork - This site provides background information on the symmetry of the designs contained in the Seminole Patchwork. Examples and explanations of the types of transformations that are used in the designs are given. An excellent resource for integrating art, history, and multicultural mathematics.
- Waldo's Interactive Math - This interactive sites includes an activity allowing students to manipulate practice reflections and rotations on a coordinate plane. It allows for practice and/or testing of skills. Some teacher direction may be needed initially although the directions are clear. This site uses JAVA applets.
- G.TR.08.10 Understand and use reflective and rotational symmetries of two-dimensional shapes and relate them to transformations to solve problems.
- A Fractals Unit for Middle School Students - This site is for kids. It teaches them about dimension of objects and the drawing and measuring of them. Also congruent, parallel and perpendicular lessons.
- About a Line and a Triangle - This site is about rotation of a line around a fixed point. This is a student activity.
- Classification of Patterns - This site contains a complete lesson plan which could be used to introduce geometric transformation. A teacher's guide and some reproducible materials are included. Some of the lesson could be done in and interactive manner on the computer.
- Dilations - An interactive site to experiment with dilations.
- I Took a Trip on a Train - Students are shown an overhead view of a circular train track as well as photos "taken" from the train's perspective. They must put the photos in chronological order. This deals with different perspectives and positions as related to time.
- Interactive Transformations - This site allows the student to interact with the computer to discover the difference between translations, rotations, and reflections. It also allows them to make an object larger and do a combination of transformations.
- Learning About Length, Perimeter, Area and Volume - The student learns about length, perimeter, area, and volume of similar objects using interactive figures. This site contains two different interactive components. These activities help the students to learn about geometric relationships among similar objects.
- Math.Com (Geometry) - An informational site for teachers and students. There is some interaction for students in the lessons. Students can participate in quizzes at the end of each section. This is the general site for geometry. You will need to choose the area of interest. Great site for middle school geometry.
- Math Files - Bathroom Tiles - Outstanding - This is a student game where students need to decide how to rotate, reflect, and translate one object to another object. Students can get hints from the computer and can click on "key ideas" to learn more about the various transformations. This is a very interactive site for students.
- Math Forum - This sight gives detailed explanations of tessellation, using history, vocabulary of geometric shapes and the use of symmetry. There are several other links of tessellations including software information.
- MathsNet Interactive - Transformations - This site includes a variety of activities and information that cover reflections, enlargements, rotations and translations. Activities increase in difficulty so the site is actually appropriate for a wide range of grade levels.
- Math to Build On - This page provides links to information on the same website. There are lessons on parallel, perpendicular, collinear, and more. Good general site for geometry. This site contains teacher lesson plans.
- NCTM Translations,Reflection,Transformations - Interactive site that reviews reflections, transformations, and translations. Students can see the shape go through theses topics.
- Quilts - Students have to decide which type of symmetry is used in a quilt and then replicate that quilt by clicking on the appropriate squares. Because the different types of symmetry used are denoted by H, M, S, and B, this is probably best used in grades 5-6. Teachers should teach students the correct transformational language. This activity involves spatial visualization.
- Stem and Leaf Plots - Stem and leaf plots explained.
- Stem and Leaf Plots - Stem and leaf plots explained.
- Stem and Leaf Plots - Stem and leaf plots that build and compare the line plot of the data set to the stem-and-leaf plot.
- Symmetries and Their Properties - This "Illuminations" site describes and illustrates rotational symmetry, reflections, translations, and glide reflections. Although the investigation is coded for grades 9-12 this is appropriate and applicable for Middle School.
- The Mathematics of Seminole Patchwork - This site provides background information on the symmetry of the designs contained in the Seminole Patchwork. Examples and explanations of the types of transformations that are used in the designs are given. An excellent resource for integrating art, history, and multicultural mathematics.
- Waldo's Interactive Math - This interactive sites includes an activity allowing students to manipulate practice reflections and rotations on a coordinate plane. It allows for practice and/or testing of skills. Some teacher direction may be needed initially although the directions are clear. This site uses JAVA applets.