In this Unit for Geometry, students at Roberto Clemente Community Academy are focusing on being IB Communicators by presenting new terminology, concepts, and examples of geometric transformations to their teachers and classmates. Transformations in geometry include translations, reflections, rotations, as well as dilations of shapes. Students are exploring the relationship between rigid motions and the coordinates of shapes on a two-dimensional plane. They are creating examples for their presentations and exploring the relationships and patterns that exist in the numbers and visual representations.
In this image, students are presenting on adjustment of the Y-axis along a horizontal line, or the X-axis. For example, if a shape (ie. triangle) were to “reflect” across (X+3), the Y-axis shifts from its point of origin to the right 3 units. Patterns arise when students observe and compare a shape’s original coordinates to their new placement as it adjusts along the “horizontal line.”
Such steps are necessary to understanding how grids and coordinate planes are used in mapping and design placement in the real world. Being able to communicate effectively is essential to justification of a shape’s orientation in time and space. For the purposes of this activity, students discussed what effective communication looks like, and practiced using correct notation, terminology, and examples to present to their classmates. The IB Summative Task in this unit will require students to use these skills to design a logo and justify its placement on a billboard based on their knowledge and understanding of transformations on the coordinate plane.