Projects

Triple Nine Wall Clock by Rachel Rose

Projects are a unique part of Mr. L’s class. The vast majority of students have never worked on projects like the ones they complete in this class. Projects are normally a way to culminate a lesson or concept and allow students to visualize and artistically internalize their learning. Many students begin the year doing their project work with paper and pencil; it doesn’t take long, however, for most of them to realize that it is easier to do their work on a computer. After proper modeling by Mr. L using an LCD projector, students can begin their projects using one of the ten classroom computers. They can then email the partially completed work to their home computer for finishing, at which point they may add color, graphics, check their work, and print the project.

On the day projects are due we begin the period by having the students place their completed work on their desks. We then take a few minutes to have a Project Promenade, where students walk around the room and admire the work of their fellow classmates. After this, the work is collected. Often I will make comments about several of the projects to bring out important points. Students are encouraged at this time to compliment the work of their neighbors. Students are shown work from prior years as models so they know the target they’re shooting for. As we progress through the year the quality of their work steadily increases. Many times students produce work which is as good as that found on commercial websites.

I have posted on the internet many projects from former students. The Student Project Site is hosted by Picasa (run by Google) for its ease of use and the ability to view projects in slideshows.

Here are some of the Student Projects:

• Average Rate of Speed
• Mr. Slope Projects
• Exponent – Log Project
• Pi Day Art March 2009
• Pi-ku Poetry 2009
• Parabola Projects
• Ellipse Projects
• KenKen projects
• Triple Nine Wall Clock
• Squares Forever
• Conic Sections – Equation Recognition
• Kali Wallpaper – Kaleidoscope Art
• Pi Art – Celebrating a Mathematician’s Favorite Day
• Pentomino Tessellations
• Similar Triangles to Infinity 30-60-90
• Infinite Geometric Series
• Baravelle’s Spiral
• Math Speaks to Me
• Fibonacci Square Puzzle
• Geometry at FHS student papers
• Student Projects Brad Fulton