Posted by David Wetzel
Geometry of Triangles
These resources offer online opportunities to explore the geometry of triangles.
From ideas of congruence to reflections to relationships among the triangle’s angles and sides.
Interactive Geometry Websites
Congruence - Using virtual manipulatives, students can arrange sides and angles to construct congruent triangles using Congruence of Triangles.
Angles - This interactive problem solving exploration of triangles begins at the beginning—with angles and their classification. Students can practice their understanding and then move on to construct triangles and consider the sum of the angles of any triangle. Finally, they explore the special relationship among the sides of a right triangle—the Pythagorean theorem, demonstrated here through a Java slide show using Geometry of Angles.
Equilateral - Students learn the theorems of triangle congruence using a challenging problem solving application. Here students are presented with an intricate figure showing two overlapping equilateral triangles. Because this resource is an applet, students can rotate the figure and easily see that two triangles in the figure are congruent. The challenge is to prove the triangles are congruent using Two Equilateral Triangles.
Transformation and Reflection - Students can manipulate one of six geometric figures on one side of a line of symmetry and observe the effect on its image on the other side. A triangle may be selected and then translated and rotated. The line of symmetry can be moved as well, even rotated, giving more hands-on experience with reflection as students observe the effect on the image of the triangle using Transformations and Reflection.
Posted by David Wetzel
Interactive Online Math
PBS has developed online math games called Math Active, which allow students interact with the each game as they study specific math concepts. There are 31 games and are designed for middle school math. These games focus on Protractors - Angle Action.
All interactive math games involve solving problems and include teacher directions. Some games have both Spanish and Navajo language versions.
Online Math
The following are examples of what type of games are available on the Math Active website.
Cones, Cylinders, & Spheres
Classify prisms, pyramids, cones, and cylinders by base shape and lateral surface shape. Identify the net (two-dimensional representation) which corresponds to a rectangular prism, cone, or cylinder. Recognize the three dimensional figure represented by a net.
Pythagorean Theorem
Solve applied problems using the Pythagorean Theorem. Solve problems using special case right triangles.
Transformation Trio
Students observe many examples of rotation, translation, and reflection transformations. Students using problem solving techniques for selecting the called-for type of transformation.
Resources
Math Active
Math Teaching Strategies
Posted by David Wetzel
Graphing algebra equations is a difficult concept for many students to grasp in beginning algebra courses. Especially when graphing quadratic equations, symmetries, and solving equations.
Maths Net has developed an interactive graphing program which allows students to adjust points on the “X” and “Y” coordinates on graphs. This allows students to inquiry into what quadratic equations, symmetries, and solving equations graphs and other graphs look like using various numerical values.
There are well over 200 different activities on this interactive website. Students are able to create their own diagrams and change them using a mouse to see the effect these changes have on the graphs and on the algebra involved.
Topics include coordinates, lines and curves. Some activities are algebra lines, find the function, and graphs with more than one line.
This interactive website is an excellent resource for learning about graphs or reinforcing graphing concepts.
