VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2018

For Good Measure…

Classroom News in Geometry
This issue - A showcase of the technology used in our classroom

This Month: Angles and Circles

INSCRIBED ANGLE
CONSTRUCTION AND PATTERN
RECOGNITION

Geometer’s Sketchpad

Geometer’s Sketchpad is an interactive software application program that our class has
started using to support and reinforce the concepts and topics covered in class. Every
student will have access and specified time to use the program each week through
station work and independent learning. Currently in Geometry we are focusing on
circles, specifically the angles formed by circles and their intersecting chords, tangents, TANGENT, SECANT, AND CHORD
and/or secant line segments. Geometer’s Sketchpad allows students the opportunity to EXPLORATION AND FORMULA
create examples quickly and accurately instead of using extended time to hand draw DERIVATION
examples. In addition, this program can animate figures and students can make small
changes in their examples and immediately recognize the effect it has had on the
figure they are viewing. The students will be able to recognize patterns in data from
their constructions which will reinforce the derivation of formulas and theorems we
will attend to in class. This program will offer a chance for students to explore
concepts more deeply and fully and will encourage more independent study and
curiosity. This application will also offer different opportunities for assessment for
different types of learners. We will continue to use this program throughout the year
VARYING ANGLE SIZE
since it has capabilities in many different topics and arenas, such as with triangles,
AND SHAPE TO OBSERVE
coordinate geometry, similarity and congruence. In addition to practicing topics and
RELATIONS AND MAKE
concepts learned in class, students will also have the opportunity to explore new ideas CONNECTIONS
and curiosities. Hopefully, the use of Geometer’s Sketchpad will increase the overall
learning and comprehension of every student and increase the students’ excitement
and passion in the STEM fields.
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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2018

putting forth for Geometry. We

Khan Academy will continue to utilize the many
Practice, practice, practice… benefits of Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a website that offers
resources for practicing and improving your
mathematical skills for free! The website
offers numerous instructional videos on
many of the topics and concepts we will
cover in class and additionally offers practice
questions and quizzes to ascertain whether or not
the user is comprehending the material. Each month
for my class, students can earn credit toward their
effort and participation score by logging hours on
Khan Academy. This month while we delve deeper
into the properties of circles and angles formed by
intersecting lines, students can watch videos
explaining topics we covered in class, such as
inscribed angles and the proof of the Inscribed throughout the year and students can also elect to
Angle Theorem. Many students need multiple explore the website deeper and use it for their other
avenues to reach rich understanding and Khan classes as well as for PSAT or SAT practice and
Academy offers another pathway to greater preparation.
comprehension. Every topic is broken down in a
very organized manner and for every instructional
video they offer an accompanying informational
“Geometry enlightens the intellect and
page. In addition for every practice problem the sets one’s mind right” - Ibn Khaldun
website offers hints and a fully detailed explanation
of each solution. All of these attributes make Khan
Academy an excellent supplemental Geometry Geometer’s Sketchpad and Khan Academy are just two of the many
resource. Even if your student is flourishing in my technological tools we will be using this year to extend and deepen
class, Khan Academy offers challenge problems and our knowledge of Geometry and mathematics in general. I am very
arenas for ever greater knowledge aquisition. I excited to implement these new tools and hope many of the
students will be inspired by what they can do with Math and
understand that many of my students are very busy
technology! However, as helpful as technology can be we must
but they will have dedicated time in the computer
always remember its limitations and the necessity and brilliance of
lab each week, in addition to their study periods or
the human mind to to make every greater connections.
time at home, to “log in” their hours of Khan
Academy and show the effort and resilience they are

CONTACT INFORMATION
Ms. Brittany Bachant bachant@bc.edu
978-621-1593 Milton High School

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or for further

information regarding the exciting technology we are using in the
classroom or for more resources to enhance your student’s learning.