Grade Levels:

6^th to 8^th

Summary:

This lesson provides hints for students to discover the Pythagorean Theorem on their own. It also includes a review of all the essential material that they will need to succeed.

^{The students should gain a deeper understanding and a more rewarding experience by figuring out the theorem by themselves.}

Materials:

^{None other than access to a computer and pencil and paper.}

Procedure:

The majority of the books that I've seen, the websites that I have visited, and the lessons that I have been exposed to start by giving you the Pythagorean Theorem. Then they either go through geometric or algebraic demonstrations or actual proofs of the theorem. Then they go into basic exercises and/or word problems.

This lesson is intended for the students to work completely on their own and it provides all they need for them to figure out the theorem and make sure that they understand it.  The material review sections on themselves are worthwhile.  The lesson also gives them a historical perspective of both Pythagoras and the Theorem and finishes by exposing the students to interesting problems. Answers for all the problems are available but you need a key to access them. Just ask me for it and I'll send it to you right away.

A template with the basic figures used in three of the "tips" is provided. It can be printed out, the figures cut out, and the students can actually follow a hands-on approach for the tips

I hope that you use this lesson with your students and I welcome your feedback.