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In this math lesson, learners use hinged mirrors to discover that regular polygons are composed of triangles tessellating around a center point. Learners then sketch these triangles on paper models of regular polygons with 3 to 10 sides and compute the measure of the center angles formed by these triangles in each of the different polygons. Next, learners explore geometric concepts as they use mirrors and paper polygons to determine which regular polygons tessellate. Learners are challenged to give reasons why some polygons tessellate and others do not.
- 30 to 45 minutes
- 1 to 2 hours
- 1 cent - $1 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 11
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Large chart (Copy of Activity Sheet: Will It Tessellate?)
- Activity Sheet: Polygon Cut-Outs for template
- Activity Sheets: On the Dot
- Hinged Mirrors (formed by taping the edges of two small hand mirrors together)
- Activity Sheets: Will It Tessellate?
- Calculators
- Cut-outs of polygons (See Activity Sheet: Polygon Cut-Outs for template)
Subjects
-
Mathematics
- Geometry
-
Measurement
- Circles
- Polygons
- Reasoning and Proof
-
The Nature of Technology
-
The Design Process
- Problem Solving
-
The Design Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, PBS, 2012
Funding Source:
- US Department of Education