Problem of the Week Sixth Grade

Using a T.P. roll, cut it on its seam and unroll it. You will

discover its shape to be a familiar one. Name it and then

trace it on graph paper to find that shape's areas. Measure

it in square units.

Now study your shape. Can it be rearranged in any way

so that you could determine its area in an easier way....

rather than counting squares could you use a formula?

Think of what we have learned for the area of a rectangle.

And the area of a triangle w

1/2 b x h

Once you have decided on a formula for finding the area, try cutting your cardboard and reforming it and prooving your idea.

Jan 14 2008

Using the six sided star in the poster in class you must first determine how many total triangles of different sizes there are. Then show what other regular polygons are also found within the star. In your solutions I should find a chart showing how many of each type there are. You may also repeat the star pattern and color in different shapes to show your results. In your comment you should use geometric terms and measurements of angles. I should see a pattern in how many degrees are in each shape. Do you see the pattern? Can you make a conjecture about how many degrees are in a particular polygon?

The next POW continues with our exploration in shapes. Can you use the tangram pieces given to create the polygons, square, rectangle, trapezoid and rhombus. Explain your strategies under comments....Also find the areas and perimeters of each in cm.

Pattern block Fraction to Decimal to Percent POW

Using the pattern blocks as found on the game page (go to the rabbit, then click on the computer , and scroll to Pattern Blocks), can you create a symetrical picture. Then find the fraction value of each color in your picture. The hexagon is 1/2. The trapezoid is 1/4. The triangle is the base unit of 1/12. Convert that to decimal form. Then make a percent circle that shows the % of each color. Your work is the chart showing the values of each color, changed to a decimal and shown in a circle graph.

Use at least three different shapes and three different colors.

THE TOWER POW.....Take a look at some famous towers... Do you recognize their locations? What similarities and differences do you notice between these towers?

Your job is to build a tower of fractions using the digits 1-12 in both the numerator and denominator. Your display must be accurate as far as showing that some fractions are larger than others. Some fractions are equivalent to one another. You may use your fraction decimal equivalent chart to verify your order. Place one whole as the base and you may show all wholes on that first level. Your plan is critical for showing a good strategy to make sure all fractions are included and all fractions are ordered correctly.