Aaron Myhre

EDU-225
Brian Clark
April 17, 2016
RAFT
Mathematics
Row
1

ROLE (student)
Illustrate the
Pythagorean
Theorem

AUDIENCE
FORMAT
Classroom of Various blocks
math students such as Legos

Row
2

Demonstrating
slope

Math
classroom

Rulers,
measuring
tapes, possibly
GPS.

TOPIC
Can you prove
the
Pythagorean
Theorem is
true?
Slope is the
difference in
height over
the difference
in distance.
You can
remember it
as Up Over
Over or Rise
over Run.
Wheelchair

Row
3

A circle is what?

My math class Two pencils

and a string

ramp, grade
on a hill or
moving truck
ramp, all the
same
principle.
A circle is all
of the points
that are an
equal distance
from the
central point.
This is one
visual way to
illustrate it.

Example RAFT Task Card: Mathematics

Objective:
Illustrate the truth of the Pythagorean Theorem using blocks or Legos.
Meets ISTE Standards for Students 1 (a, b & c), 2 (d) and 4 (a, b & d)
Student Role:
Playing with blocks
Audience:
My students
Format:
Using blocks and Pythagorean Triples to illustrate the Pythagorean Theorem is true.
Topic:
Do you ever wonder if A squared plus B squared really equals C squared?
Directions:
1. Learn about the Pythagorean Theorem on
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/pythagthm.htm

2. Use the blocks provided to prove the theorem correct

3. Write your findings down and create a presentation about them.
4. Share with the class and explain your methods and results.
Resources:
Websites to visit:
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/pythagthm.htm
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PythagoreanTheorem.html
Assessment:
Observe students and offer guidance where necessary. Students will be graded for participation,
speeches and attendance.

Example RAFT Task Card: Mathematics

Objective:
Showing that the slope of a line really is the distance up or down divided by distance travelled.
ISTE Standards for Students 1 (a, b & c), 2 (d) and 4 (a, b & d)
Student Role:
Taking measurements, being the laboratory assistants
Audience:
My math classroom
Format:
Taking the measurement of a wheelchair ramp, a ramp for a moving van or a roads grade.
Topic:
Why is the formula of slope, a grade or wheelchair ramps what it is and not distance travelled
divided by distance risen/fallen?
Directions:
1. Use http://www.purplemath.com/modules/slope.htm to learn more about slope.
2. Measure a moving truck ramp, a wheelchair chair ramp or take a look at the grade of a
hill.
3. Show that slope is true even off the written page.
4. Explain your perspective to the class.
Resources:

Websites to visit:
http://www.coolmath.com/algebra/08-lines/06-finding-slope-line-given-two-points-01
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/slope.htm
Assessment:
Observe the students to see that they get the right answers but mostly consider their explanations
to their peers.

Example RAFT Task Card: Mathematics

Objective:
Explain the definition of a circle and understand why this definition exists
ISTE Standards for Students 1 (a, b & c), 2 (d) and 4 (a, b & d)
Student Role:
Math students/observers
Audience:
Classroom full of bright students of mathematics
Format:
Using a pencil sunk into corkboard or other soft material, a string connected to it and to another
pencil and using it for drawing circles.
Topic:
Why is the definition of a circle the set of all points an equal distance from a central point?
Directions:

1. Visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle to look up the definition of a circle

2. Record your findings with the string and pencils
3. Explain your findings to your classmates.
Resources:
Websites to visit:
https://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/circle.html
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Circle.html
Assessment:

Listen to and critique students presentations to the class.

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