LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

The Fibonacci series

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=134

A lesson plan for Grades 6–8 Mathematics

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades
6–8
Subjects
mathematics (patterns)
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

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The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is to appreciate and investigate a numerical pattern and to look for evidence of mathematical patterns in nature. In this lesson, students will explore the Fibonacci series. They will identify the pattern among the Fibonacci numbers, look for applications of these numbers, and explore the ways that this pattern can be related to objects and shapes in both the natural and designed world.

Science and technology are rich and especially important contexts in which to learn the value of mathematics and to develop mathematical problem solving skills, but they are not the only ones. This lesson uses examples from art and architecture, as well as nature, to reinforce the ideas in the central benchmarks. In grades 3–5, students should be encouraged to describe all sorts of things mathematically — in terms of numbers, shapes, and operations. In middle school, students should continue to have opportunities to reflect on the nature of patterns and relationships in a purely abstract way.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 6

  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of simple algebraic expressions.
    • Objective 5.01: Simplify algebraic expressions and verify the results using the basic properties of rational numbers.
      • Identity.
      • Commutative.
      • Associative.
      • Distributive.
      • Order of operations.
    • Objective 5.03: Solve simple (one- and two-step) equations or inequalities.

Grade 7

  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of linear relations and fundamental algebraic concepts.
    • Objective 5.04: Develop fluency in the use of formulas to solve problems.

Grade 8

  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will understand and use linear relations and functions.
    • Objective 5.01: Develop an understanding of function.
      • Translate among verbal, tabular, graphic, and algebraic representations of functions.
      • Identify relations and functions as linear or nonlinear.
      • Find, identify, and interpret the slope (rate of change) and intercepts of a linear relation.
      • Interpret and compare properties of linear functions from tables, graphs, or equations.