LEARN NC

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

Mathematics — Grade 8

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

Objective 3.02. Apply geometric properties and relationships, including the Pythagorean theorem, to solve problems.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

The story of pi
In Critical thinking in science, page 3
In this lesson, students design an experiment to test the importance of decimal places by rounding the value of pi. The collected data is used to answer questions and write a short editorial.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)
By Daniell DiFrancesca.
Problem-centered lesson on the Pythagorean Theorem
This lesson is designed to help students give meaning to solving problems using the Pythagorean Theorem in a useful and meaningful situation.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)
By Brent Bustle.
Mirror, mirror on the ground!
In this lesson, students will use their knowledge of similar triangles and indirect measurement to measure the heights of various objects.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
By Denise Corbett.
Measuring pots
In Intrigue of the Past, page 2.7
Students will use an activity sheet or modern pottery rim sherds to compute circumference from a section of a circle and construct analogies based on their own experience about possible functions of ancient or historic ceramics.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics and Social Studies)
Landscape architects: Working with indirect measurement
In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 3.5
In this lesson plan, students use indirect measurement to discover the height of the school's flagpole. Students learn about careers in landscape architecture.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
By Valerie Davis, Sonya Rexrode, and Monika Vasili.
Interior designers: Working with right triangles
In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 3.2
In this lesson, students will use their knowledge of right triangles to create a design for an abstract work of art.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
By Valerie Davis, Sonya Rexrode, and Monika Vasili.
Giving meaning to volume and surface area
This lesson is designed to help students give meaning to volume and surface area by solving problems using a meaningful situation rather than formulas.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
By Grayson Wheatley.
Fire in Pythagorville: Problem-centered lessons
Students will work on problem-centered lessons which use the application of the Pythagorean theorem to put out a fire in the fictional town of Pythagorville.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)
By Kelly Crisp.
Dear Tootsie Roll company
The students will measure the surface area and wrapper area of five pieces of candy. Using appropriate formulas and measuring techniques, they will complete information needed for a spreadsheet and database. Students wrap up the lesson by writing a letter to the company with the most wasted paper to explain how the waste affects them as consumers and a suggestion for correcting the problem.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 English Language Arts and Mathematics)
By Tonya Thompson.
Calculating slope of a ramp
In On track learning: Safety through technology and design, page 9
In this lesson, students build a ramp and calculate its slope at different heights. They will also test cars to see how the height of the ramp affects speed.
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–10 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)
By Roxanne Moses.

Resources on the web

Understanding the Pythagorean relationship using interactive figures
The Pythagorean relationship, a2 + b2 = c2 (where a and b are the lengths of the legs of a right triangle and c is the hypotenuse), can be demonstrated in many ways, including with visual 'proofs' that require little or no symbolism or explanation. The... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Polygon capture: A geometry game
In this lesson, from Illuminations, students classify polygons according to more than one property at a time. They move from a simple description of shapes to an analysis of how properties are related, all in the context of an enjoyable game. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Patterns and functions
In this lesson, students investigate properties of perimeter, area, and volume related to various geometric two- and three-dimensional shapes. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Mathematical proofs
The purpose of this lesson is to explore that nature of logic, evidence, and proofs in the context of mathematics. In this lesson, students will explore the nature of mathematical proofs and mathematical inquiry. This lesson would be appropriate... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Mathematics)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Blue squares and beyond
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students manipulate two rectangles to create examples of similarity and to study the effects on area ratios. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Mathematics)
Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics