Title of Lesson Day 1: Who was Pythagoras, and what was his theorem?

Unit Topic Pythagorean Theorem and Radical Expressions

Enduring As a result of this lesson, students will understand:
Understandings
What specific • None.
concepts will
students acquire as
a result of this
lesson?
Content As a result of this lesson, students will know:
Knowledge
What specific • The Pythagorean Theorem and what a,b, and c represent in the formula
content knowledge 2 2
a b =c .
2
will students acquire • That the Pythagorean Theorem can be used with right triangles.
as a result of this
• Vocabulary used for right triangles.
lesson?

Skills As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:

What are the
specific skills • Identify the hypotenuse of a right triangle.
developed by this • Identify a right triangle.
lesson?
Stage 1 Desired Students will understand that:
Results that this
lesson will support • U1: the Pythagorean Theorem is a relationship between the areas of
(Understandings, three squares with side lengths equivalent to the three side lengths of a
Knowledge, Skills) right triangle.
• K3: the Pythagorean Theorem.

Length of Lesson 45 minutes

Approximately how
long will this lesson
take?
Overview of Students will be introduced to Pythagoras, a Greek mathematician, and his
Lesson contribution, the Pythagorean Theorem, to mathematics. In addition, students
Brief summarize the will learn the vocabulary that will be needed throughout the unit to discuss right
lesson. triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem.
Prior Knowledge • None
Are there specific
knowledge or skills
the students must
have before they
begin this lesson?
Resources Needed • Short reading excerpt about Pythagorean Theorem and Right Triangles
Books?
References? A/V
Materials?
Process of Lesson 5 min: Transition time between classes/Get out Math Notebooks and respond to
Explain how lesson the prompt
will unfold. Write this Prompt: What do you know about the Pythagorean Theorem? Have you
section so that heard of it before, or is it something new to you?
another teacher
could follow your 8 min: Using students' notebook entries we will construct a KWL chart for the
instructions. Be sure Pythagorean Theorem. This chart will remain up in the classroom throughout
to include a hook or the unit. As student questions arise during lessons, these questions can be
warm-up and added to the Want To Know section.
assessment
activities. How 8 min: Distribute reading about Pythagoras and the Pythagorean Theorem.
much time do you Students will read through the reading individually and highlight 3 facts about
estimate each step Pythagoras, 3 facts about the Pythagorean Theorem, and 3 facts about right
will take? triangles.

9 min: In groups have students compile their facts and record 5 facts about
Pythagoras, 5 facts about the Pythagorean Theorem, and 5 facts about right
triangles on chart paper.

10 min: Class discussion about the Pythagoras, Pythagorean Theorem, and

right triangles. Discussion will begin with right triangles because it is most
important that students know the vocabulary and what makes a triangle a right
triangle before moving on with the rest of the unit.

Discussion about right triangles should cover:

• legs of a right triangle
• hypotenuse
• right angle

We will transition from right triangles to the Pythagorean Theorem. In

discussing the Pythagorean Theorem, students will be asked to identify with
which shapes the Pythagorean Theorem can be used. In addition, we will
discuss how the formula a 2b2=c 2 corresponds to the legs and hypotenuse.
If time permits, we will discuss Pythagoras and students will be asked to share
interesting facts about the mathematician.

3 min: Exit Ticket (3-2-1): Three things that make up a right triangle. Two
variables of the Pythagorean Theorem that represent the lengths of the legs of
a right triangle. One variable of the Pythagorean Theorem that represents the
length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

2 min: Collect exit ticket and dismiss class.

Assessment The Math Notebook entry along with the KWL chart will be used as an
How will you know assessment to see what prior knowledge students have about the Pythagorean
that the lesson was Theorem.
successful?
Describe what type The exit ticket will be used to see if students know which components make up
of student a right triangle. It will also be used to see if students know which variables from
assessments you the Pythagorean Theorem correspond to which side lengths. It is important that
will use to evaluate students know the terminology used to describe right triangles in order to
understanding. understand what will come later in the unit related to right triangles. Students
Include the criteria also need to know which side is represented by which variable in the
you will use or Pythagorean Theorem. A misconception here will cause the student to struggle
attach a rubric. as the unit progresses.