Overview and Background

Students must examine the original Zig, Zag, Zug to determine which 2 are related (Similar / Proportional) and which is an imposter.
Students must justify their choices by referring to the dimensions of each figure.
Students must construct their own set of 3 figures (I, A, U) where 2 figures are similar and 1 is not and again students must justify why 2 are related and the 3rd is an imposter.

Optional:
Set up each teams’ design to display in front of the class, have each other team guess at who the imposter is for other teams.

Lesson Plan and Activity

Either Print out or present the original Zig Zag Zug for students.
Launch: “Meet my friends: Zig, Zag and Zug. They all look very similar and in fact two of them are related but 1 is an imposter attempting to sneak into the Z family reunion. How could we tell which one is the imposter? Well all members of the Z family are “similar” to one another, their dimensions must be proportional. We need to measure each one to find out who the imposter is but before we accuse anyone you must have proof!”

Explore: Have students record the dimensions of each figure.
For printed designs split teams 1, 2, 3, and each team member has 5 minutes to gather all the data for 1 figure. Be sure students know how to properly use a ruler or caliper.
For presented designs display 1 on screen at a time using (F) fit to screen. Isolate each shape and have students record the dimension (not as engaging)

Justify: Have students construct a justified accusation of who the imposter is.
Possible sentence frames:
We believe that is the imposter because their dimensions are ____.
Meanwhile the dimensions of and are .
Since __ and __ are proportional that proves .

Construct: Students must now make their own family of I, A, U s
You can specify the complexity of student designs based on their experience.
Recommend students draw their designs on graph paper first, require a check in to go over measurements before moving to tinkercad. Teams of 3 means one person can make 1 figure, students can copy and paste to one file or share with one another.

Materials Needed

Graph paper, ruler or caliper

Skills Learned

Duration of Lesson

1 hour depending on the complexity of the design.