Lesson+9+-+Splitting+Complex+Shapes+into+Simple+Shapes

= Lesson #9 =

Title of lesson: Splitting Complex Shapes into Simple Shapes
Description of lesson: Students will use what they've learned so far about circles and polygons to split complex shapes. Complex, or compound, shapes are shapes that can be split into other shapes. Students will use this to understand how to find the area of complex shapes in the next lesson.

Assignment: We will work as a large group, in small groups and individually to solve for the areas of various complex shapes. We'll begin the lesson with a warm-up problem where students will work individually to find the area of a sector, segment, or annulus using what they learned in the previous lesson. After the students have been given 5 minutes to work individually, we will take 5 minutes to discuss the solution as a class.

An L-shaped figure will be displayed on the smartboard/promethean board and we discuss how we could break this shape up in order to find the area. These other shapes we can easily find the area of and combine them to find the total area. We will work together to split the L into two rectangles. Then we can find the area of each rectangle (we won't actually solve for the area in this lesson). The next shape shown will be an F-shape. We will work together to split this shape into 3 rectangles. This should take approximately 10 minutes. A house shape will then be shown on the board and the students will be divided into groups of 3-4 and asked to split it into smaller shapes (a triangle and a rectangle). They will be given 5 minutes to work on this. After the students have had time to work in their groups, we will spend about 5 minutes discussing the solution as a class. The students will then be shown a capital A. We will discuss as a class how to split it into other shapes that would help us solve for its area (look at the A as a triangle with a triangular piece missing from inside the top half and a trapezoid missing from the bottom. This should take about 10 minutes. The students will then be shown a picture of an audio cassette and asked to work individually to decide how to split it into smaller shapes and share their answers with the class.

For homework, the students will be assigned a short worksheet of practice problems and asked to listen to the podcast about finding the area of a rectangle.

Resources/materials needed: Students may use the textbook as an additional reference. We will be using the smartboard/promethean board during class and students will need to bring their notebooks, and a pencil. The worksheet will be posted on the class website along with the podcast:

Splitting Complex Shapes: media type="file" key="Splitting Complex Shapes.mp3"

Technology reflection: The podcast for the lesson will reinforce learning. It will provide the formulas and definitions used in class so that students can use them for their homework. It will also provide parents with a source for information if they'd like to check or help with the students' homework.

Evaluation: I will need to focus on making sure all of the students' needs are met by the lesson and that no one is being left behind. I will need to make sure I keep on track in terms of timing so that we are able to cover the unit in the time allotted. I will also need to make sure I have a backup plan in place just in case there is a technical problem with any of the technology. For example, I'll need to make sure I have chalk or dry erase markers in case the smartboard/promethean board isn't working. I'll also need to make sure I have a few copies of the homework printed in case there are any problems with the class website or there are students who can't access the internet for some reason.