This lesson is for : Grade 9,Grade 10,Grade 11,Grade 12:
Summary
In this lesson, students use their knowledge of geometry to develop mathematical theories and solutions for playing miniature golf, test their solutions by performing real putts, and reflect on the practicality of a mathematical solution. First, students interact with a putting simulator Flash game to explore and gain insight into the geometry of miniature golf. Students are then given the dimensions of a rectangular miniature golf hole and location of the cup, use the Geometer’s Sketchpad application to create a mathematical model, and calculate a theoretically accurate two-bank shot. Students test their theoretical solutions by performing putts using a putter, golf ball, and blocks of wood to represent walls. After writing a reflection on testing their solution, students apply their knowledge and experience to a new miniature golf hole while explaining their methods and reasoning to an audience. The project concludes with students reflecting on their performance to answer the question: Is the theoretical solution of a two bank shot in miniature golf practical? All learning from the project is collected on student pages of class Google sites.
TIPC Ratings
Research & Information Fluency
Rating: Approaching – Explanation:
- Through playing a simulation, calculating theoretical mathematics of a putt, practicing putting to test their theory, reflecting on theory versus reality, and finally performing a putt on a new hole layout, students are synthesizing experience and new learning to perform the task of explaining and executing a two bank putt in one shot.
- By interacting with tools: such as Putting simulator Flash game, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Google sites, Golf equipment, measuring tools, and video cameras, as well as collecting and displaying all elements of their learning from the lesson: including calculations, reflections, and video of performance, on personal pages of a class Google site, students are using tools in powerful ways.
Communication & Collaboration
Rating: Developing – Explanation:
- Students work in small groups to support each others learning and practice of using mathematics in putting.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Rating: Ideal – Explanation:
- Through the use of tools: digital (Putting simulator Flash game, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Google Docs, Google sites) and non-digital (Golf equipment and measuring tools), students draw from experience to develop a theory, mathematically calculate a strategy, apply their strategy in real life practice, reflect on the results of the practice versus the theoretical model, to solve the problem of explaining and executing a two bank putt in one shot.
- Twice in the lesson: first, after applying their theory in real life practice, and secondly, after their final putting performance, students use reflection as a tool for their current problem solving task, explaining and executing a two-bank putt in one shot, as well as setting critical thinking goals for the future by answer the question: Is the theoretical solution of a two bank shot in miniature golf practical? Include in your statement what you learned from applying your knowledge and experience in a new situation.
- In preparation for, and the execution of, their final putting performance, students are generating and responding to purposeful questions, as well as, justifying their decision-making, as to the mathematics of a two-bank putt.
- By interacting with digital tools: such as putting simulator Flash game, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Google sites, and video cameras, as well as collecting and displaying all elements of their learning from the lesson: including calculations, reflections, and video of performance, on personal pages of a class Google site, students are using tools to aid in higher order thinking skills needed to to explain and execute a two-bank putt in one shot.
Creativity & Innovation
Rating: Developing – Explanation:
- Students make predictions from existing knowledge and experience, to work on a class assignment that blends technology; including Putting simulator Flash game, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Google sites and docs, and video cameras, practice: in calculating a solution and testing the solution with real putting equipment, and performance; in explaining and executing a two-bank putt in one shot.
Lesson Materials
