Animoto and Geometry

I always want my students to make connections between math and their surroundings, especially when it comes to Geometry.  We are just now wrapping up the chapter on parallel lines cut by transversals, and I think there are so many examples of some of the Geometric ideas that we cover in their everyday environment.  So, I had them download the free app Animoto and it was great because more than half of each class had the capacity to do so, which made groups small and doable.

I had students get into groups of two and walk around campus looking for various Geometric elements. I had a list of twelve, which they had to find a minimum of ten.  The list included:

• Parallel Lines
• Perpendicular Lines
• Alternate Interior Angles
• Alternate Exterior Angles
• Same-Side Interior Angles
• Corresponding Angles
• Intersecting Planes
• Supplementary Angles
• Complementary Angles
• Vertical Angles
• Parallel Planes
• Skew Lines/Segments

Overall, I found that the students took the activity seriously.  They loved being outside and making connections to what they were learning in class.  They still relied on me for things like, "Mrs. Murk, would this be an example of Parallel Planes?"  They still struggle with self-starting, but for the most part, they took the initiative.

Something that I would change for next time is I would be stricter, or more descriptive, as to what the pictures are of.  I don't want students to find two lines that are intersected by a transversal and use that picture for three or four different Geometric idea.  I just find this boring and not pushing the students very hard to be creative.

I've included some of my favorite videos below.

Geometry shtuff
Thomas and Ben's swag master geometry video
My Video