Learning Experience

Overview

The concept of reflections in geometry is foundational to understanding rigid transformations and symmetry. This lesson is designed to engage students in active learning by combining discovery activities, structured instruction, interactive practice, and assessment. Utilizing tools like Patty Paper, Teacher Made, Desmos, and Performance Matters. All materials will be organized and accessible via Schoology. By integrating varied instructional strategies and resources, this learning experience adheres to inquiry-based learning pedagogies, ensuring students develop both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency.

Audience: High school students, primarily freshmen and sophomores.

Responsibilities: As a Geometry teacher, I design engaging and rigorous learning experiences that align with state standards, ensuring students are both challenged and supported in their understanding of key concepts.

Tools: Schoology, Microsoft Office, Loom, Teacher Made, Desmos, Kahoot, Gimkit, YouTube, Infinite Campus, Performance Matters.

Problem and Solution

Problem: Students often struggle to visualize and comprehend the mechanics of reflections, including the relationship between pre-image and image points as well as the role of the line of reflection.

Solution: A multi-modal approach will allow students to explore and visualize reflections through guided discovery, structured rules, and immediate feedback, enhancing their understanding. Hands-on tools like Patty Paper will support engagement and provide opportunities for tactile learning.

The Process

Introduction:

• Transformations are introduced through a song set to the melody of a popular hit, offering an engaging and creative way to present the concept.

Discovery Activity:

1. • Students will use Patty Paper to explore the properties of reflections. They will trace pre-images and lines of reflection, then fold the Patty Paper to observe how images align with their pre-images.

   • Guided questions will prompt students to identify congruence, orientation changes, and the pre-image and image relationship to the line of reflection.

General Rules for Transformations:

1. • After the discovery activity, the teacher will facilitate a discussion to derive general rules for reflections.

Guided Notes on Reflections:

1. • Guided notes will be distributed to solidify understanding, combining written explanations with graphical examples.

   • Students will complete guided notes detailing specific cases of reflections and the algebraic representation of reflected points.

   • Examples will include reflections over horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines.

Practice Problems with Teacher Made:

1. • Using Teacher Made, students will complete practice problems for reflections. This knowledge will build to problems that involve complex multi-step transformations.

   • The platform will provide immediate feedback, allowing students to correct errors and deepen their understanding in real-time.

Visual Animations via Videos:

1. • Short instructional videos will provide visualizations of reflection processes. These animations will reinforce key concepts and provide an alternatives for visual learners.

Desmos Practice Activities:

1. • Students will complete additional Desmos activities designed to apply their knowledge in various contexts, including real-world scenarios and geometric proofs.

Assessment:

1. • Formative assessments will be given using gamification programs such as Gimkit and Kahoot along with practice problems.

   • A summative assessment will evaluate students’ understanding of reflections. Questions will assess conceptual understanding, procedural accuracy, and application skills.

   • The summative assessment will be delivered through Performance Matters and linked in Schoology for streamlined access.