Strategies and resources are presented to help students learn how to use technology as a tool for processing information, visualizing and solving problems, exploring and testing conjectures, accessing data, and verifying solutions. Students share their initial response to Staff Development programs, Part I and Part II, emphasizes the importance of geometry and spatial awareness in the mathematics curriculum, from 1st through 8th grades. Students work cooperatively to develop an understanding of such geometric concepts as similarity, congruency, tessellation, and how to apply transformations. Multiple technologies are incorporated into the instruction of the lessons. Online resources are presented.
Students use origami to review names and properties of polygons.
They sort and classify using Multicultural Design cards. Students test a variety of polygons to see if they tessellate by exploring angles. They begin to determine WHY certain shapes tessellate. The create jackets and investigate properties. Students use Polydrons to construct pyramids and prisms.