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

Creating A firewise defensible space

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L664

A lesson plan for grades 6–8 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics


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Students will learn about creating defensible space around a home using a series of fire protection zones. Students will then draw the zones that surround a house and estimate the area of each zone. Illuminations provides an activity sheet and detailed instructions for completing the lesson.

Students will:

  • Model size in terms of their environment.
  • Describe the shape of zones and define the zone concept for firewise landscaping.
  • Estimate the area of an irregular shape.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Understand relationships among the angles, side lengths, perimeters, areas, and volumes of similar objects.
  • Draw geometric objects with specified properties, such as side lengths or angle measures.
  • Recognize and apply geometric ideas and relationships in areas outside the mathematics classroom, such as art, science, and everyday life.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 6

  • Goal 3: Geometry -The learner will understand and use properties and relationships of geometric figures in the coordinate plane.
    • Objective 3.04: Solve problems involving geometric figures in the coordinate plane.

Grade 7

  • Goal 3: Geometry - The learner will understand and use properties and relationships in geometry.
    • Objective 3.01: Using three-dimensional figures:
      • Identify, describe, and draw from various views (top, side, front, corner).
      • Build from various views.
      • Describe cross-sectional views.
    • Objective 3.02: Identify, define, and describe similar and congruent polygons with respect to angle measures, length of sides, and proportionality of sides.

Grade 8

  • Goal 3: Geometry - The learner will understand and use properties and relationships in geometry.