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Math Mysteries: Giant Pictures of South America

In south America there are giant geoglyphs etched in the ground. Where did they come from? What do they mean? How can we use math to understand them?
Toni Redmiles (Bryant)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(358)
Class
Play

What's included

1 live meeting
1 in-class hours

Class Experience

In south America there are giant geoglyphs etched in the ground. Where did they come from? What do they mean? How can we use math to understand them?

In this class, we will look at the Nazca lines located in the desert plains of the Rio Grande de Nazca River Basin. We will look at the different theories behind how and what created these geoglyphs. 
After we discuss the theories, we will look at: 
•	geology of the area 
•	lines and geometric shapes used to create the geoglyphs
•	how math could have been used to create a scale model for the artist to go by
•	how someone could have enlarged the scaled model to make the giant geoglyphs
•	what a theory is and how to develop our own
We will do an in class scale model of one of the geoglyphs (the spider or dog) discussed in class. 
Lastly, we will take everything we learned and make our own theory. I will explain to students that a theory is an educated guess that we can change at any time when presented with more information.
Students should have a basic understanding of measurement, fractions, and percentages before taking this class.

Learning Goals

Students will learn the following:
To identify the following shapes: triangles, rectangles, trapezoids, spirals, arrows, zig-zags, and wavy lines.
The layers of dirt and pebbles located on the desert floor.
How to create scale models 
How to work with proportions to create a larger design.
How to develop a theory
learning goal

Other Details

Supply List
A ruler or straight edge
Pencil and paper
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2018
4.9
358reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
From August of 2014 till June 2018 I worked as an adjunct math instructor and the program coordinator of the learning lab at Southern WV Community and Technical College. As the program coordinator of the learning labs I saw a lot of student who had been taught to memorize math instead of discover math. My experience not only as a math instructor, but as a radio engineer and data analysts has led me to the belief that math is best learned through skill building, discussion, and discovery. 
I decided that I wanted to work with students starting in Pre-algebra, Algebra one, and Geometry. Currently I teach the following classes: (Make sure to scroll to the end to find out about office hours)
Pre-Algebra Year one:
Discovering Pre-Algebra Part one
In this class we will discover the organization and purpose of order of operations. How to perform order of operations with different types of rational numbers (exponents, square roots, decimals, fractions, integers, absolute value).
Discovering Pre-Algebra Part two
In this class we will discover proportional thinking and how it applies to different ideas in math (unit rates, unit conversions problems, discounts, tax, gratuity, markup’s, markdown’s, late fees, similar figures). We will also look at simple interest.
Discovering Pre-algebra Part three
In this class we will discover statistics and how to collect (Mean, median, mode, mid-range), display (box plots, stem and leaf, histograms, circle graph, and more), and interpret data (Venn diagram, tree diagram, Probability, and odds).

Pre-Algebra Year two
Discovering Pre-Algebra Part four
In this class we will discover the basics of Algebra (combining like terms, one and two step equations, one variable inequalities, absolute value equations, basics of exponents and radicals, scientific notation)
Discovering Pre-Algebra part five
In this class we will discover basic geometry skills for 2-d and 3-d shapes.
Discovering Pre-Algebra Part six
In this class we will discover graphing and linear equations.
Algebra one:
Discovering Algebra one: Part 1
Discovering Expression, Equations, Inequalities, linear equations and mathematical reasoning.

Discovering Algebra One Part 2
Shifting and reflecting Linear equations, Function families, domain and range, systems of equations and inequalities.
Discovering Algebra One Part 3
Discover the rules and properties of exponents and radicals. How to apply the Pythagorean Theorem and is converse to real life situation.

Discovering Algebra One Part 4
In the class you will work with polynomials, factoring and quadratic equations.

I love math and I hope that your learner finds my love for math infectious!

******* On Thursday, Friday and Saturday I have another job (well I babysit my grand babies) if you email during one of these days I may not be able to get back to you until Sunday or Monday. 

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
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$10

per class

Meets once
60 min
Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
2-6 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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