The Engineering component is in the part of the activity in which the students use the grid paper to construct rectangles, squares, parallelograms, and triangles and then develop the formula for the area of each based on prior and/or practice knowledge. For example, they know that they can calculate the area of the rectangle or square by simply counting the number of square centimeter boxes inside the figure. They are then able to develop a formula for the parallelogram by cutting off a triangular section from one side of the parallelogram and reattaching it to the other side. This results in making a rectangle and thus they know the formula for these two polygons is the same. Then, they can take a square or rectangle and simply cut it in half to make a triangle. So a triangle with the same dimensions (base and height) will have half the area of the square/rectangle.

Cancer and Geometry Charity Manis, NSF Scholar, 2002-03 Mathematics & Science Center and The University of Virginia Developed with funding from the National Science Foundation (DGE0086320) Major Understanding Based on the present and past, cancer is very real. It touches families as well as individuals when they least expect it.

In this lesson, the engineering component is the students making the different polygons on the Geo-Boards, using the rulers to measure their areas and perimeters, and then comparing the results of making the different shapes and sizes of these polygons.

Ok, think I am starting to get this Diigo site a little bit.

National Science Teachers Association - NSTA

I do not think I am doing the sticky note correctly. Can someone please comment on this and let me know if I am getting it correct?

Khan Academy is a really awesome self-paced website that allows students to practice math skills on their ability level. It also allows them the opportunity to master the skills they are learning and gradually move forward to work on more challenging skills.