GSP WebQuest

Your Introduction to The Geometer's Sketchpad

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Introduction

One of the most powerful but underused programs in Irving ISD's technology arsenal is The Geometer's Sketchpad.  Every high school student has this program loaded on the hard drive of his or her laptop.  It is loaded onto the lab computers in the middle schools.  Even elementary school teachers have access to this wonderful tool for teaching math in a more dynamic way.  We as teachers ought to make every effort to effectively use the program's capabilities to help our students better understand mathematics.

The Quest

You have been hired as a teacher in Irving ISD.  Your mission is two-fold.  First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the program.  In order to do this, you will create a new sketch (what GSP files are called) that meets certain parameters.  Secondly, you need to scour any and all resources for GSP lessons that you can use in your classroom immediately.  You will need to find at least three age-appropriate, TEKS-based, meaningful activities using GSP. 

(1) Spend about 10-15 minutes playing around with the Geometer's Sketchpad.  Use the Quick Reference guide to explore some of the more useful features of the program.

(2) Once you feel comfortable with your ability and knowledge, work toward making a sketch of your own that looks like this:

(3) After you have completed this task, you are ready to explore existing resources to find meaningful activities for use in your classroom.

(4) As you find activities and lessons that are useful, add the website at which you found them to your list of favorites in a folder you create called "GSP Lessons".

(5) Once you have found at least three favorites, e-mail jhylemon@irvingisd.net with a description of each of the activities and the grade level TEKS that correlate with them.

For All Grade Levels

Mathematics TEKS

General Search Engine

GSP Lessons from Key Curriculum Press

GSP Lessons from the Math Forum

For Elementary Grade Levels

GSP Lessons for Younger Learners

For Secondary Grade Levels

GSP Lessons from the Center for Technology and Teacher Education

GSP Lessons for Middle School

GSP Lessons from the University of Georgia

Upon successful completion of the Web Quest, please ask Jennifer Hylemon for her signature so that you will be awarded the appropriate number of points for your layered curriculum unit.  Remember that oral defense is one of the requirements for completion, so I will ask you some questions about what you learned before I sign.

Your explorations today have broadened your own knowledge about what is possible with The Geometer's Sketchpad.  Please spend just a few more moments this summer deciding how you will engage your students with this dynamic tool during the 2005-2006 school year.