Students
use pattern blocks to build successively larger generations
of similar figures. They use the same pattern block units
for each succeeding generation. For example, how many square
pattern blocks will you use to create the next larger square
for each generation? They observe the pattern of growth
as well as the characteristics of similarity.
Students
experience proportional relationships using similar figures.
They apply three methods using similar triangles to find the
height of a flagpole.
In
this lesson, teachers create and use a poster (directions
and word-strips included below) along with a Geometer’s
Sketchpad activity to help students understand the concept
of Geometric Mean.
In
this lesson students use ratios of side to predict the squareness
of rectangles. Then they examine the ratios and relationships
in edges, perimeters, areas, surface areas, and volumes in
similar rectangles, rectangular prisms and similar triangles.
