Combining Technology into your lessons to create fun lessons in mathematics

1. Educator: Miss Mahomed
Mathematics for Grade 9: Geometry of 3D objects
Subtopic: Platonic solids
According to the CAPS document:
By the end of this topic, learners should be able to:
Classifying 3D objects
• Revise properties and definitions of the 5 Platonic solids in terms of the shape and
number of faces, the number of vertices and the number of edges
• Recognize and describe the properties of:
-- spheres
-- cylinders
Building 3D models
• Use nets to create models of geometric solids.
Working independently as well as collaboratively with their peers
They could achieve these outcomes by the aid of the following resources:
Access to the tablets available in class
Internet access
Prescribed textbooks
The links to recommended resources:
http://www.transum.org/software/SW/YouTube/Video.asp?Movie=gVzu1_12FUc
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/math/geometry/solids/

2. Authentic Task
Important:
 Read all instructions carefully! (0_0)
 This task is divided into 3 activities. If you submit your activity on the due
date, you will receive a merit. Failure to comply with the due date will result
in demerits.
 Activity 1 is to be completed individually, whereas activity 2 & 3 are to be
completed in groups of 5.
 Each group member must take up at least one responsibility.
 After submission of each activity you are required to provide your own
reflection of the activity.
 After each activity, write a SHORT reflection on the activity. Guideline
questions are given, however your own input is imperative.
 Be creative and make use of various resources.
Activity 1
Criteria: Completed individually
Time allocated for this activity: 1 period (45 minutes)
You are required to watch a video pertaining to platonic solids on your tablet. Type
in or copy and paste the link in the Google chrome browser.
http://www.transum.org/software/SW/YouTube/Video.asp?Movie=gVzu1_12FUc
Once you have watched the video complete the following:
Outcomes:
1.1. Tabulate a summary of the solids explained within the video. [12 ½ marks]
Hint:
Type of
platonic
solid
Number of
vertices
Number of
edges
Number of
faces
Number of
sides on
one face
1.2. Use the information from the table above to draw the solids named in the
video. [2½ marks]
Total marks: 15 Due: 13/09/2015
Reflection: In your workbook, reflect on the activity.
Here are some guideline questions:
What is a platonic solid?
How many platonic solids are there?
Why is it impossible to make more platonic solids?

3. Which one is most intriguing to you? Why?
Where do we see these shapes in our daily lives?
Activity 2
Criteria: Completed in groups
Time allocated for this activity: 2 periods (90 minutes)
In this activity you are required to form groups of 5. As a group you will make a
decision, however EACH member of the group needs to select and complete a task.
Use your discretion.
(Note: make use of previous knowledge and concepts when answering the following
questions)
Outcomes:
2.1. Create the net of each of the 5 platonic solids.
(Can be done on graph paper) Follow the link below to help. [2½ marks]
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/math/geometry/solids/
2.2. As a group choose one platonic solid and create it. [5 marks]
2.3. Scenario:
Design a new product/packaging of an existing product that your team will
manufacture.
Your group should pick a product/packaging, then draw the 3D design that you have
envisioned, including dimensions (*your entire design should not exceed 30cm x
30cm). Moreover your design *must include your chosen platonic solid in 2.2 as well
as others, and must contain one or more simple 3 Dimensional shapes (cylinders,
cuboids, pyramids etc.) [5 marks]
2.4. Decide and gather the necessary materials you brought to class to make the
model in 2.3. Then draw, cut and create this model. Provide a name, logo,
ingredients etc. Decorate it accordingly [10 marks]
2.5. Write a speech on cue cards. Answer the following questions:
What sort of product/packaging have you designed? (Describe the name, its purpose
and so on)
Where would you use this product/packaging?
Why did you design this product/packaging?
What shapes did you use and how did you design the product/packaging?
What materials could I use to make the product/packaging eco friendly? [2½ marks]
Total marks: 25 Due: 20/09/2015
Reflection: In your workbook, reflect on activity 2
Here are some guideline questions:
Have we used our imagination?

4. Is our product unique?
Does our product serve one or more purposes?
What were my personal ideas?
Activity 3
Criteria: Completed in groups
Time allocated for this activity: 1 period (45 min)
Outcomes:
Using the cue cards in activity 2.5, as a group you are going to present your model to
the class. Each member of the group must choose a cue card answering a question
that they will present.
The order in which the presentation will follow is:
What product have you designed?
Where would you use this product?
Why did you design this product?
What shapes did you use and how did you design the product?
What materials could I use to make the product eco-friendly?
The presentation should be no longer than 5 minutes.
Total marks: 10 Due: 22/09/2015
Reflection: In your workbook, reflect on activity 3.
Here are some guideline questions:
How well did our group work together?
Was there room for improvement? How?
What was interesting from the other groups ideas?
Grand total: 50 Marks