Activity Detail

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	Mapping a Leaf

Activity Overview

In this activity, students will identify and record ordered pairs from a coordinate plane. They will examine symmetry about the axes, reflections, and symmetry in nature. They understand geometric concepts like area and perimeter, and various types of transformations.

Before the Activity

Install the TI Connect™ or TI-GRAPH LINK™ software on the TI-73 using the TI Connectivity cable and the unit-to-unit link cable

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity

Print pages 91 - 101 from the attached PDF file for your class

Activity Downloads:

(file types)

DataCollection_MG_Act06_MappingALeaf.pdf
DataCollection_MG_AppendixA.pdf
DataCollection_MG_AppendixB.pdf

During the Activity

Distribute the pages to your class.

Follow the Activity procedures:

Place a big leaf on a grid paper such that its base is on the origin

Mark a point at the end of the stalk (petiole) and where the flat portion (blade) starts

Continue to mark points that represent the perimeter of the leaf

Transfer the coordinates of these points to a list with x and y values

Plot a graph of the points to see the outline of the leaf

Create a reflection on the y-axis and generate a list of new x- values

Plot the points to view the reflected leaf

Two leaves (opposite) at the same node on the stem show such reflection

Model alternate type of leaves (offset on the stem) by translating the values on the y-axis up

To plot the third leaf on the stem, use the original x and y values and increase the y-values by the number that represents the distance between the nodes

Save the plot with the leaves

After the Activity

Students will fill in the Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet.

Review student results:

As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging

Re-teach concepts as necessary

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