Activity Description:
This hands on activity allows students to explore and analyze the Pythagorean Theorem in small groups. Students visually see how the theorem came about, and apply newly learned knowledge to standard paper/pencil problems. To start off, students will insert the cardboard right triangular fence between the 3 squares. They will notice that a square is formed on each side of the triangle. Then, students will completely fill the two smaller squares on the legs of the right triangle with one layer of M&M’s, without overlapping any M&M’s. Students will record their data in the given chart, remove the cardboard right triangular fence and push all the M&M’s into the square on the hypotenuse. After the cardboard right triangular fence is re-inserted and all M&M's are flattened into a single the layer, students will verify whether the M&M’s completely cover the square on the hypotenuses and data will be recorded.
Reflection:
This was such a fun activity to teach to students. It was engaging for students and allowed them to problem solve in order to find a solution. Based on research, hands on activities are one of the most effective ways to help students retain and learn new concepts. This type of activity will also aid students who are visual learners. I believe group and stations work best for this activity because it allows students to collaborate and hear the problem solving strategies of their peers. If doing this activity with older students, I would have them construct their own models and test them out. I think the lesson went really well and next time I will definitely bring in extra M&M's for the students to eat.
This hands on activity allows students to explore and analyze the Pythagorean Theorem in small groups. Students visually see how the theorem came about, and apply newly learned knowledge to standard paper/pencil problems. To start off, students will insert the cardboard right triangular fence between the 3 squares. They will notice that a square is formed on each side of the triangle. Then, students will completely fill the two smaller squares on the legs of the right triangle with one layer of M&M’s, without overlapping any M&M’s. Students will record their data in the given chart, remove the cardboard right triangular fence and push all the M&M’s into the square on the hypotenuse. After the cardboard right triangular fence is re-inserted and all M&M's are flattened into a single the layer, students will verify whether the M&M’s completely cover the square on the hypotenuses and data will be recorded.
Reflection:
This was such a fun activity to teach to students. It was engaging for students and allowed them to problem solve in order to find a solution. Based on research, hands on activities are one of the most effective ways to help students retain and learn new concepts. This type of activity will also aid students who are visual learners. I believe group and stations work best for this activity because it allows students to collaborate and hear the problem solving strategies of their peers. If doing this activity with older students, I would have them construct their own models and test them out. I think the lesson went really well and next time I will definitely bring in extra M&M's for the students to eat.
Activity Worksheet | |
File Size: | 92 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Activity PowerPoint | |
File Size: | 2296 kb |
File Type: | pptx |