Reply To: Lesson 3-1: Question

[Noel McMillin]

The video was so fitting for my experience today. Our quiz today was on polygon angles and similar triangles. We’ve been using proportions for a long time – like years probably. On the quiz, there was a picture of two similar triangles with one side length missing. I literally told the kids to use a proportion to solve. I was shocked (not shocked) to see how many missed the problem altogether. It is apparent that too many have no idea what it means to have a proportional relationship and worse yet no entry point to solving that kind of problem. It actually crushed my spirit.

However, it makes sense to me why that is the case. There obviously was not enough of a productive struggle. I spent too much time talking about the bike tires, handlebars, gears, etc. all independently of one another, and not enough time on the bike.

I honestly don’t even like to teach “cross products are equal in a proportion”. It becomes a crutch without any long-lasting learning.

Thanks for sharing another lesson that is moving the needle.