SD Teacher's Curriculum Bank
Key Word Search
Home Full Unit of Study Listing Advanced Search Submit a New Unit
Unit of Study #20
Unit Components
School District:Chester
Unit of Study Title:Geometric Wonders
Grade Level:9-12
Time Frame:3-4 days
Key Words:Geometric solids, pyramid, cylinder, surface area, voulme
 
Unit Designer:Shane Fods
Unit Designer E-mail:Shane.Fods@k12.sd.us
Date Added:6/12/2002 2:12:47 PM
Date Last Revised:6/12/2002 2:20:03 PM
 
Topic Area:Math
 
Peer Reviewer:Not yet completed
Peer Reviewer E-mail:Shane.Fods@k12.sd.us

Brief Summary of Unit: This project will allow the students to use information about geometric solids to research and complete a geometry lab. We will have covered all of the formulas for surface area and volume; however, they will have to find and then decide which data and formulas to use. Students will be put into random groups of 2 to 3, depending on class size and available computer space. Each group will have to delegate which student will work on what part of the project; i.e. who will sketch the blueprint, who will find surface area, who will find volume, etc. Each group will have to research the structures, then complete and hand in a lab worksheet. The teacher will be there to facilitate learning, not lecture or lead.
Students will Understand: How can students find surface areas and volumes of real 3-dimensional figures around the world? How can students find the information they need to find certain areas and volumes? How can students create scale diagrams using various computer programs?
Students will need to have an understanding of how to search on the Internet. They will have to use previous knowledge of how to find surface area and volume. Students who have used a drawing program will be allowed to create their blueprints with that program.

SD Content Standards
Link to Standards #1
Goal:

Math
Students will use the language of geometry to discover, analyze, and communicate geometric concepts, properties, and relationships.
Indicator:
Benchmark(s):
Other Content Standards:None Listed

Other Components
Essential Questions to Guide this Unit and Focus Teaching and Learning: How can students find surface areas and volumes of real 3-dimensional figures around the world? How can students find the information they need to find certain areas and volumes? How can students create scale diagrams using various computer programs?
Key Knowledge and Skills Students will Acquire: Students will need to have an understanding of how to search on the Internet. They will have to use previous knowledge of how to find surface area and volume. Students who have used a drawing program will be allowed to create their blueprints with that program.
Assessment Plan: The teacher will grade the student’s findings, according to actual answers. This can be a percentage value depending on correct answers, or a rubric stating grades for a certain amount done. This will only be a part of their final grade. The teacher will also take into account the participation grade given to the student by the other students in their group.
Learning Activities: The students will be given three real 3-dimensional figures that they will have to find the surface areas and volumes. The three figures used in this lesson are the: Great Pyramid of Giza, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Pentagon.
The students will use the Internet to find the needed dimensions of the structures from when they were originally constructed.
The student will sketch a blueprint of each figure by hand or computer. (If programs are available)
The students will use the information they find to compute the surface area, volume, and other items stated by the teacher.
The student will complete an attached lab worksheet.
The student will complete a grade sheet explaining what part of the project their partners completed.
Notes:Resource List & Links

http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/ (Great pyramid Site)
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pentagon/ (Pentagon Site)
http://www.endex.com/gf/buildings/ltpisa/ltpisa.html Leaning Tower of Pisa Site)
http://www.1728.com/ (Calculator Site)
Internet Resource Link: http://sf004.k12.sd.us

Adapted from the the work of Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins. Understanding by
Design. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Alexandria, VA. 1998.

SD Teacher's Curriculum Bank Disclaimer