Background Information for Teachers

Although geometry is not usually associated with middle school math, teachers are increasingly asked to introduce the subject informally. Triangles from Three Sides includes topics that you may want to investigate further, such as proof and similarity, in introducing your students to geometry. These resources offer background on the topics.

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The Pythagorean Theorem http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/geometry/session6/index.html

In an online course for K-8 teachers, you will look at a few proofs and several applications of one of the most famous theorems in mathematics. The course also offers well-illustrated, classroom-worthy applications of the theorem. This free course is part of Annenberg Media’s Learning Math: Geometry.

Similarity http://www.learner.org/channel/courses/learningmath/geometry/session8/index.html

In this workshop session, you will explore similar triangles, geometric similarity, and basic ideas in trigonometry. Ideas are explained through hands-on interactive work as well as through diagrams and text. Practice problems, with accompanying solutions, help build the learning. The workshop is from Learning Math: Geometry, a free online course for K-8 teachers.

Pythagorean Theorem http://www.cut-the-knot.org/pythagoras/

More than 70 proofs of the Pythagorean theorem! Not as dull as you might think! Many of the proofs present diagrams and algebraic outlines, but several are presented through interactive applets or as slide shows. One colorful diagram offers a "proof without words." There is interesting work here for students as well as their teachers. This page is from Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles. MSP full record

An excellent book on teaching geometry at the middle school level, Navigating Through Geometry in Grades 6-8, is available from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The emphasis is on geometric thinking and hands-on exploration. An accompanying CD-ROM offers interactive activities as well as further readings for teachers and student activity sheets. Find ordering information at http://my.nctm.org/ebusiness/ProductCatalog/product.aspx?ID=12174.

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Copyright January 2007 — 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.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.