EMS 580 Fall 2018 Dagmara Ciliano

Geometry Lesson Plan

Constructing Snowflakes with Geometric Transformations

Mathematics Learning Objectives:

● Students will be able to construct geometric figures using translating, reflecting, and
rotating
● Students will make conjecture about geometric figures congruences and symmetries
● Students will be able to verify properties of geometric transformations empirically

Language Objectives:
● Students will be able to describe geometric transformations of translating, reflecting, and
rotating.
● Students will be able to compare and contrast the effects of various geometric
transformations
● Students will be able to describe symmetry

Essential Question:
How can I use translations, rotations, and/or reflections of geometric figures to create a desired
shape?

Common Core State Mathematics Standards:

● 8.G.A.1 Verify experimentally the properties of rotations, reflections, and translations

● HSG.CO.A.5 Given a geometric figure and a rotation, reflection, or translation, draw the
transformed figure using, e.g., graph paper, tracing paper, or geometry software. Specify
a sequence of transformations that will carry a given figure onto another.
● HSG.CO.A.1 Know precise definitions of angle, circle, perpendicular line, parallel line,
and line segment, based on the undefined notions of point, line, distance along a line, and
distance around a circular arc.
● HSG.CO.A.4 Develop definitions of rotations, reflections, and translations in terms of
angles, circles, perpendicular lines, parallel lines, and line segments
● HSG.CO.D.12 Make formal geometric constructions with a variety of tools and methods
(compass and straightedge, string, reflective devices, paper folding, dynamic geometric
software, etc.)
● Optional: HSG.CO.D.13 Construct an equilateral triangle, a square, and a regular
hexagon inscribed in a circle.

Materials:

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 EMS 580 Fall 2018 Dagmara Ciliano
Geometry Lesson Plan

● Geometric Transformations Review PPT

● Hook video Snowflake Watching (3 min 30 sec)
● Inspiration video Six-Sided Snowflake (1 min 53 sec)
● Transformation Snowflakes Worksheet
● GeoGebra web based dynamic tool.
● Sample Transformation Snowflake
● Padlet file for sharing snowflake designs (password: Snowflake)

Notes to the reader:

In previous lessons, students have learned definitions and basic constructions of
geometric transformations (translations, reflections, and rotations). Students have a basic
experience with GeoGebra software. Students should be comfortable with definitions of lines,
circles, and angles.
This is a an open-ended task. Students’ constructions will likely vary greatly in the end
design of their snowflakes. Students should be guided to start with a basic regular shape to create
symmetry.
Optional: Students can start by constructing an equilateral hexagon inscribed in a circle.

Detailed Plan for Instructional Time

Time: 90 minute lesson

Time What is the teacher doing? (Be sure to What are students doing? If they are
include questions the teacher will ask and interacting with a technology tool or other
academic language supports and details of materials, please describe.
technologies or other materials used)

5 - 10 mins Warm-Up: The teacher has drawn a polygon Students will be instructed to follow Warm-
on whiteboard/smart-board and ask students to Up directions.
sketch geometric transformations of the figure.
Sample Questions Anticipated Answers:
● What are the four types of geometric ● Translations (drag), rotation (turn),
transformations? reflection (flip), dilation (stretch and
● What are the differences between the shrink)
transformations? ● Some transformation change the shape
● What kind of transformation produces while some only change the
a congruent image, what kind don’t? orientation
PPT ● Answers can vary, students might
realize that for example sometimes a
reflection and rotation or translation
can create the same image.

5-10 mins Review: The teacher will use Power Point Students will follow a review of geometric

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 EMS 580 Fall 2018
Geometry Lesson Plan
(Transformations Review) to review formal
definitions of geometric transformations.
PPT
5 -10 mins Lesson Intro: The teacher will start the
discussion about real life objects that display
geometric transformations, leading up to the
snowflake design.
5-10 mins Launch: Teacher will present two videos:
● Hook video Snowflake Watching (3
min 30 sec)
● Inspiration video Six-Sided Snowflake
(1 min 53 sec)
5 minutes Groups: Teacher will group students
according to the classroom management and
technology availability. This task does not
require students to work in group/pairs
This time will be used to set up
computers/tablets and or other devices needed
to use the dynamic technology.
20-25 mins Activity: Teacher will provide a sample
geogebra applet (Sample Transformation
Snowflake) if necessary, depending on
students’ familiarity with the software.
Teacher will guide students to a blank
GeoGebra file and to start their own
exploration while following the worksheet as a
guideline. Teacher will monitor students work
and provide guidance as needed.
5-10 mins Sharing: Teacher will provide a padlet link
for students to share their snowflake designs
with a short description of transformations
used.
10-15 mins Presentations/Connections: Teacher will
select students’ sample work and close the
lesson with focus on different geometric
transformations used. More than one sample
can be used to show that certain shapes can be
created with different transformations.
Dagmara Ciliano
transformations to recall appropriate
vocabulary and properties of each
transformation
Students will give examples of geometric
transformations in context. Examples: sweater
patterns, wallpaper design etc
Students will watch the video and discuss the
snowflake patterns. Students can point out
that not every snowflake is perfectly
symmetrical. The inspiration video will give
examples (and ideas) of six-sided snowflakes.
Students will follow teachers directions on
how to divide in groups/pairs if so required.
Students will be getting computers/tablets and
logging in to start the dynamic software
exploration.
Students will open a sample GeoGebra applet
and/or open a blank GeoGebra file to start the
exploration task.
Students will open a blank GeoGebra file and
start their own exploration while following
the worksheet as a guideline.
Students will share their design and
descriptions in the padlet file.
Students will be ready to explain their designs
and transformations used. Some students
might notice that certain designs could have
been accomplished with different
transformation (ex, rotation instead of
reflections)
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EMS 580 Fall 2018 Dagmara Ciliano
Geometry Lesson Plan

Appendix

In this appendix, you will find the list of file links, GeoGebra screenshots of anticipated student
graphs, the student handout, and a teacher key.

FILE LINKS:
● Videos: Snowflake Watching, Six-Sided Snowflake
● Dynamic Software: GeoGebra
● GeoGebra Help: Construction Tutorials
● Transformation Snowflakes
● Sharing/Presentation Site

GEOGEBRA SCREENSHOTS
Sample Students’ Work

Figure 1. Snowflake with “seven circles” construction. (Optional)

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EMS 580 Fall 2018 Dagmara Ciliano
Geometry Lesson Plan

Figure 2. Snowflake with regular hexagon construction.

Figure 3. Rotation around the point construction

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EMS 580 Fall 2018 Dagmara Ciliano
Geometry Lesson Plan

Figure 4. Padlet entry example