Subjects
Mathematics
--- Geometry
Physics
Grades
6-8
9-12
Brief Description
Understand why geometry is important by seeing the connections between sports and geometry.
Objectives
Students will recognize
the various shapes in sports (their fields, their equipment, their rules…).
angles, arches, measurement, and shapes in sports.
the concepts of size, speed, and weight as they apply to sports.
Keywords
angles, arch, measurement, shape, speed, size, weight
Materials Needed
Layouts of a
basketball court
tennis court
baseball field
pool table
soccer field
You can find some helpful sources of this information on these Web sites:
Athletic Field Dimensions
Sports Court and Field Dimensions
Sport and Activity Dimension Index
Note: A standard tournament-play pool table is 4.5 x 9 feet.
The Lesson
Arrange students into groups of 3 or 4 students. Ask each group to choose a sporting event from the list of field layouts you’ve made available.
Challenge students to use the field layouts to identify geometry concepts in those sports/activities. They should identify the various shapes in their sport field and the tools/equipment of the sport too.
They will create a miniature version of the field layout and plan a presentation that shares with the other groups how geometry plays a role in the sport.
Lead a discussion of other ways -- outside of sports -- in which geometry applies to everyday life.
Assessment
You might use a presentation rubric (example 1, 2, or 3) to grade student presentations. Perhaps students will use the rubric to grade their peers and/or themselves.
Extension activity: Discuss the importance of why standards are set for sports playing areas.
Submitted By
Debbie Miskiel, Workman High School in La Puente, California
Education World®
Copyright © 2007 Education World
05/17/2007
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