Title - Online Introduction to Fractals
By - Pam Brown
Primary Subject - Math
Secondary Subjects - Computers / Internet
Grade Level - 7-9
Concept: This lesson plan was designed to introduce students to the concept of fractals through web research.
Standards: Geometry/Technology
General Goal: To research the general topic of fractals through an open-ended web-search.
Objectives:
To develop a working definition of fractals.
To become familiar with mathematicians responsible for the study of fractals.
To recognize specific fractal designs.
To learn terms "self-similar" and "iteration".
To recognize fractals in nature, art and music.
To identify web-sites specializing in fractals.
Required Materials: Computers with access to the world-wide-web, list of questions for research (see below for examples), log to document helpful websites.
Directions and question examples:
FRACTALS WEB UNIT
BEGIN YOUR EXPLORATION OF FRACTALS WITH A "SEARCH FOR FRACTALS" WEBQUEST. CHOOSE A SITE AND BEGIN EXPLORING. YOUR SEARCH CAN TAKE YOU IN THOUSANDS OF DIRECTIONS. SPEND SOME TIME EXPLORING, THEN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS. REMEMBER TO LIST IN YOUR WEBLOG THE WEBSITES THAT YOU FOUND TO BE MOST INTERESTING.
1. FIND A DEFINITION OF FRACTAL.
2. WHO WAS BENOIT MANDELBROT?
3. WHO WAS WACLAW SIERPINSKI?
4. WHAT IS THE "SIERPINSKI TRIANGLE"?
5. WHAT IS THE "SIERPINSKI CARPET"?
6. WHAT IS THE "KOCH CURVE"?
7. LIST AT LEAST 5 EXAMPLES OF FRACTALS IN NATURE?
8. EXPLAIN THE JURASSIC PARK/FRACTAL CONNECTION.
9. WHAT IS ITERATION?
10. WHAT DOES THE TERM "SELF SIMILAR" MEAN?
11. NOW WRITE A DEFINITION OF "FRACTAL" IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
12, 13, 14. WRITE AND ANSWER 3 QUESTIONS OF YOUR OWN THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT FRACTALS.
15. LIST THE WEB ADDRESS OF AT LEAST 5 SITES THAT YOU FOUND TO BE THE MOST HELPFUL AND INTERESTING.
Closing: Class discussion of topics covered in the web unit.
This introductory unit can also lead to a variety of art and math activities.
Math
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Art
Computers & Internet
Music
P.E. & Health
Other
Multi-Disciplinary
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