Introduction
Geometry can be an exercise arena for strengthening those logic muscles that
middle school students need to flex. When we work with a geometric figure—a
circle, for instance—and apply the ancient tools of compass and
straightedge, geometry can become a rich ground for developing design. And a
circle has size, so a unit on this topic necessarily brings in the mathematics
of its measurement. Circles, then, is a geometric topic that can provide mental
challenge, opportunity for artistic development, and connections to both the
history of measurement and its everyday applications.
For this unit we have selected online activities that will enable your students
to look at circles from these various viewpoints. The activities range from
measurement to theorems about the circle to art and symmetry. Many will engage
students in solving problems or in creating designs. Others will allow them to
investigate the thinking behind the area and circumference formulas, either
through virtual simulations or hands-on projects. We hope these activities will
add to your repertoire of ways to present the "many-sided" topic of circles.
If you would like to refresh your own understanding of the circle, the
Teacher Background section offers online reviews of the properties of
circles, their measurement, and rotational symmetry. A final section,
NCTM Standards, considers thoughts offered on the teaching of this
integrated topic in Principles and Standards for School Mathematics.
by Terese Herrera
Terry Herrera taught math several years at middle and high
school levels, then earned a Ph.D. in mathematics education. She is currently a
resource specialist for the Middle School Portal. Please email any comments to
msp@msteacher.org.
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Copyright
June 2006 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work
supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of
the National Science Foundation.
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This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
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