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
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