Overview
This is a lesson intended to give students an opportunity to explore the claims of American researcher, Jay Hambridge, and others. They have established that the Golden Ratio can be found in the human skeleton.
Objectives
The student will:
1. measure a predetermined list of parts of
the human body to the nearest quarter of a centimeter.
2. use deductive reasoning to compare the data from all groups
of students and draw general conclusions based on the data.
3. determine sample size.
4. organize the data using Microsoft Excel
5. use the formula function to find the ratios of collected data
to several decimal points.
6. find patterns in data.
Audience
This lesson can be conducted with any age student who can read a tape measure with accuracy.
Prerequisite Skills
The student should be able to:
1. accurately measure an object to the nearest
quarter of a centimeter.
2. compute ratios of related body measures.
3. enter information into a given form (paper or Internet)
Materials Needed
tape measures for each student or pair of students
list of measurements to be taken for each student
chart to fill in
Procedure:
Rationale:
The activity will spark interest in the topic at hand. The golden ratio is present in many aspects in the world around us, including our bodies. Thus, we want them to grasp the fact that this is something they can use in practical ways. We chose the golden ratio for measurement, data collections, and analysis because it is meaningful mathematics for the students. We feel that it will be interesting to relate this mathematical concept to themselves and their peers.
Students are put into groups to facilitate discourse within groups. One students insight could help another student understand a concept or idea. The tables that the students complete provide a visual representation of their data. The importance of technology is evident in this lesson with the ease of computations in Microsoft Excel. This can help students in other mathematical endeavors.
When day 1 is completed, students should feel competent in the collection and organization of data. The homework for day 1 should accentuate the class activity and will increase the sample size, giving students a wider range of data.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on completion of measurements. Each groups data will be collected and recorded in a spreadsheet. Students will also be assessed informally during class discussions. The teacher can get a general idea of the ability of the students to recognize patterns in data. The teacher should look for participation, involvement, class discussion, and being on task.
Evaluation:
An evaluation of day 1 will be completed after the lesson has been taught. The following criteria will be evaluated; time management, behavioral modifications, student interest, and technology effectiveness.