Gold Seal Lesson:
Roof Trusses

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Mathematics

Grade:

9-12

ICLE Standards:

Problem Solving -  Acquire confidence in using mathematics  meaningfully.

Mathematics -  Use trigonometry to find missing lengths and angles.

Physical Sciences -  Develop an understanding of forces and motion.

Science and Technology-   Develop abilities of technological design.
Communication -  Use communication skills to relay information

Performance Task:

You are an architect and you are designing a roof truss for your latest masterpiece. First you must build a model example of a truss to get approval from Mr. Moneybags, the owner of the building. You know that Mr. Moneybags is tight with his money and will only allow you to use 100' of lumber. Your model is at full scale, or 1" = 1'-0". Therefore, you are given 5 model-building sticks that are 20" long. You get right to work. First you figure out which kind of truss you want to build from the list studied in class, depending on what kind of building you are going to build Mr. Moneybags. Then, you design your model on AutoCAD, or hand draft it to scale. After you build your model, using only your given supply of materials and attach the wood together with paper gussets, you practice your presentation to Mr. Moneybags in front of all of your "co-workers".

Knowledge / Skills:

Perform operations with signed (positive and negative) numbers, including decimals, ratios, percents, and fractions. M.1

Understand the properties and classification triangles by sides (i.e., scalene, isosceles, and equilateral). M.16

Know the basic trigonometric functions and ratios. M.18

Use the technique of dimensional analysis to convert units of measure (e.g., convert km/hr to m/min). Understand and use various techniques for estimating, making and converting measure; and using these to perform dimensional analysis. M.33

Plan and apply real or hypothetical models and constructions to facilitate investigation and learning and the solution to practical problems. 115

Prepare and deliver individual speeches by gathering information, rehearsing, making eye contact, speaking loudly enough, delivering information in a well-organized fashion, and appealing to the needs of the target audience. ELA.10

Rubric:

4 POINTS: The student was able to build the first model on CAD directly from printed drawings without "designing as he/she built it." The model was clean, neat, stayed within the parameters. The student had a clear understanding of the mathematical calculations used to compute the data accurately. The student's oral report correctly used the design to illustrate findings on why it was the best solution. The report was free from grammatical error.

3 POINTS: The student had few differences between his/her truss and their CAD drawing. The model showed stray strings of glue and did not fit together neatly. The student could grasp most of the mathematical calculations needed, but failed to complete all of them. The student's oral report did not directly explain in mathematical or scientific terms why the truss was designed the way that it was. There are a couple of grammatical errors in the oral report.

2 POINTS: The student generally followed his/her CAD drawing but mostly "designed as he/she went." The model was constructed incorrectly and used materials other than the ones supplied. The truss did not follow one of the ones from the list. Several of the calculations were incorrect. The oral report did not relate or include the mathematical information and had several grammatical errors.

1 POINT: The student did not follow the CAD drawing at all when building his/her model of the truss. The model was not neat and did not stay together when handled. The student lacks understanding of calculating and analyzing mathematical information. The oral report was not well organized, did not contain any mathematical information, and had major grammatical errors.

Keywords:

GEOMETRY
TRIANGLES
ANGLES STATISTICS
MEASUREMENT
PROBLEM SOLVING
TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
COMPUTATION
ORAL PRESENTATION 
RATIOS

Grades:

Kg [] - 1 [] - 2 [] - 3 [] - 4 [] - 5 [] - 6 [] - 7 [] - 8 [] - 9 [x] - 10 [x] - 11 [x] - 12 [x]

ICLE Application:

D

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