Gotcha Covered, Pardner! Dory Marcus
	4-6  3-5 classroom periods

The Cyberchase kids' adventures at "Sensible Flats" introduce students to the concept of area in an engaging and entertaining way. Cyberchase is a daily, animated adventure television series and multimedia project for children ages 8-11, about a team of kids on daring missions in Cyberspace. Our heroes have to use math and brain power. In this episode, the Cyberchase kids have to prove that regular and irregular shapes may have the same area in order to save the day. Interactive Web sites will provide students with practice in calculating both area and perimeter, and real world problems will encourage students to discover that math is fun and something we experience, not just in school, but all around us, everyday. Students will be able to: Select and apply a variety of strategies to solve problems Calculate the area and perimeter of regular and irregular shapes Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between area and perimeter National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards http://standards.nctm.org/document/chapter5/index.htm Connections Students will recognize and use connections among mathematical ideas. Geometry Students will analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships. Students will apply transformations and use symmetry to analyze mathematical situations. Students will use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems. Measurement Students will understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement. Students will apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements. Problem Solving Students will build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving. Students will apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems. Video: Cyberchase #105: Sensible Flats Web sites: Area Explorer http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/perm/index.html Shape Explorer http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/permarea/index.html Perimeter Explorer http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/permarea/index.html These three interactive sites challenge students to determine the area of a shape based on its perimeter or the perimeter of a shape based on its area. Virtual Manipulative - Geoboard http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/frames_asid_125_g_1_t_3.html Follow the activities for this interactive, manipulative tool to visually represent the area of irregular shapes or create ones to match specific instructional objectives. Optional Software: Geometer's Sketchpad http://www.keycurriculumpress.com/catalog/products/software/Prod_GSP.html Mac/PC, Key Curriculum Press. This program enables students to visualize mathematical concepts. Per student or pair of students: Set of markers or crayons Pair of scissors Glue stick or other adhesive Per Student: Area Explorer handout