Gold Seal Lesson:
Tri-Bar Landscape

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Mathematics

Grade:

5-8

ICLE Standards:

Geometry: Visualize and represent geometric figures with special attention to developing spatial sense; understand properties of symmetry, perspective and patterns.

Mathematical Connections: Use and value the connections between mathematics and other disciplines.

Performance Task:

In geometry and art there are some shapes that are known as impossible shapes. They can be visualized and modeled on paper, but they are impossible to construct in three dimensions. The tri-bar below is one such impossible shape.
Your task is to create an advertising poster using the tri-bar. On a sheet of paper, sketch a rough draft of an illustration of a fantasy or science fiction landscape incorporating at least three tri-bars. For example, you could have a park with a tri-bar climbing structure or a museum with tri-bars on pedestals. Be creative with your design.

Conduct a color study to see which colors most appropriately enhance your design. Make a second draft of your illustration that includes color. When you are satisfied with your draft design, make your advertisement poster on a large piece of construction paper or poster board. The poster should be colorful, pleasing to the eye and should immediately capture the attention of the viewer.

Draft a two-page short adventure story that uses the landscape of your poster as the setting. Have another student in the class read and critique your short story. Rewrite the short story based upon your own review of it and the review by your classmate. 

Knowledge / Skills:

Understand the characteristics of parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines.  (m2)

Understand the properties and classification of polygons of more than four sides (e.g., pentagon, hexagon, octagon, decagon, etc.).  (m26)

Use writing as a way of expressing personal creativity.  (ela31)

Demonstrate knowledge of persuasive techniques used in visual advertisements.  (ela66)

Rubric:

The following materials must be handed in for grading: Rough draft of poster; Second draft of poster with color; Final poster; Short story draft; Final copy of short story.

4 Points  =  Student hands in complete packet. All parts of the task are well executed and crafted, using complex images.

3 Points  =  Student hands in complete packet. Most parts of the task are well executed and crafted, but images are simpler.

2 Points  =  Some parts of the task are poorly executed or one part of the task is missing.

1 Point  =  Student hands in incomplete packet. Only three of the five parts of the task are done. The tasks are not particularly well executed or crafted. Images are quite simplistic.

0 Points  =  Student hands in incomplete packet. Three or more parts of the task are missing. The tasks are poorly done. The student shows little understanding of the connection of geometry to other disciplines. He/she demonstrates little understanding spatial relationship.

Keywords:

GEOMETRY
GEOMETRIC SHAPES
OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
PARALLEL LINES
SPATIAL SENSE
TWO-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS 
CREATIVE WRITING
PERSUASION

Grades:

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

ICLE Application:

D

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