Remember back to the preassessment you were given
Remember back to the pre-assessment you were given a few weeks ago. . . Problem 1: Given a measuring tape, a ruler, and a protractor, how could you find the height of a building? Include a diagram of this scenario.
There were some common ideas for this problem. . . • • using measuring tape only to find the height making a ratio measure the shadow of the building create a triangle (what kind of triangle? )
NOTE: There will be no climbing on buildings today
So, why do we care? • Where does this idea/problem come from? • Can we come up with a method of finding the height that will work for any tall object, of any shape, in any kind of weather?
In the olden days, long before Google. . . Thales, a Greek philosopher, traveled to Egypt, and saw the great structures Egyptians had constructed. He used his knowledge about triangles to find out how tall they were.
For today's activity: • You will be finding the height of the cafeteria ceiling. You will do this by measuring the angle of elevation to the top of the object with your protractor, the ground distance from the protractor to the base of the object, and any other information you find valuable.
Each person in your group must have a job during the data collection stage. They are as follows:
• Job 1 - Hold the protractor aimed at the top of the object. • Job 2: - Read the protractor while person 1 is aiming it. - Hold one end of the measuring tape when measuring the ground distance from the protractor to the base of the object. • Job 3: - Hold one end of the measuring tape when measuring the ground distance from the protractor to the base of the object. - Write all data on the data collection table.
Notes: • Angle measures are in degrees. • Distance measurements are in inches. • When finished with all measuring, wait patiently for the other groups to finish and head back to the classroom with your teacher. • Once back in the classroom, if there is time, you may begin working on your poster.
On the schedule: • With your groups, finish up your calculations from yesterday’s activity (Remember: you’re calculating the height of the ceiling). • Students who were either not present yesterday, or attended the assembly will complete the activity with Ms. Schans. • Once you finish your calculations with your group, begin working on your group’s sticky note, which you will present. It should include: - a diagram representing the problem (include the tools) - a brief explanation of how you solved the problem - your calculations • If your group finishes the sticky note, put it up on the board, and begin working on the Critical Thinking Problems (on the back of your activity sheet).
- Slides: 10