Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to apply geometric concepts to understand the shapes and structures found in animals.

Materials and Prep

Materials: Paper, pencil, ruler, and access to the internet for research.

Prior Knowledge: Basic understanding of geometric shapes and measurements.

Activities

1. Research: Look up different animals and observe their physical features. Identify the geometric shapes present in their bodies, such as the triangles in a bird's beak or the rectangles in a turtle's shell.

2. Drawing: Choose an animal and sketch its basic geometric structure, highlighting the shapes you observed in the research.

3. Measurement: Measure the dimensions of the geometric shapes in your animal drawing using a ruler. Calculate the area and perimeter of each shape.

Eighth Grade Talking Points

• Animals have unique physical characteristics that can be analyzed using geometry. For example, the wings of a bird can be represented by triangles, and the body of a fish can be approximated by a series of rectangles.
• Geometry helps us understand the structural integrity of animal bodies. Just like how we use geometry to build strong and stable structures, animals' bodies also rely on geometric shapes to provide support and functionality.
• By studying the geometric properties of animals, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and recognize the mathematical principles at play in the animal kingdom.