Subjects:  Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies

Learner Outcomes:
1.  The student will know the definition of a Pythagorean triple.
2.  The student will setup a spreadsheet that will be used to determine if three numbers form a Pythagorean triple.
3.  The student will find and write some information about the mathematician Pythagoras.

Duration of Lesson:  One fifty-minute class period.

Materials:  Excel Directions Worksheet, Excel Spreadsheet, Pythagorean Triples Worksheet, Pythagorean Triples Worksheet Key, and computers

Technology Tools/Courseware:  Excel or other spreadsheet software program, Internet

Teacher Notes:
1.  Schedule the computer lab.
2.  Access prior knowledge for appropriate Excel skills.
3.  Check for any students who have not signed technology form.

Procedures:
1.  To review the Pythagorean Theorem, have the students access this interactive site and complete the activity.
2.  Ask students to use the Internet dictionary to find the definition of a Pythagorean triple and then write this definition in their notes.
3.  Ask students to use the Internet to find at least four pieces of information about Pythagoras and take notes.  They will need these notes later.  This site  Notes 2 has information.

4.  Distribute Excel Directions Worksheet.
5.  Guide the students through the steps to make the Excel spreadsheet.
6.  Allow time for them to respond to questions six and seven.  Encourage students to share their results and suggest how they could use the spreadsheet.
7.  Distribute the  Pythagorean Triples Worksheet.  The students enter the values on the spreadsheet and answer the questions.
8.  Have the students use their notes from the beginning of class to write a paragraph about Pythagoras.

Modifications:  The teacher will need to give individual instruction to those students with skill gaps using Excel.  Students may be paired for peer tutoring.  Those students not allowed on the Internet should be given access to reference books.

Enrichment Activities:
1.  Ask students to look for patterns on the Excel sheet for determining Pythagorean triples to discover and write families of Pythagorean triples.
2.  Ask students to visit this Mathematics Enrichment site and try picturing Pythagorean triples.

Evaluation/Assessment:  Use teacher observation to evaluate the creation of the spreadsheet.  Assess the worksheet exercises for percent accurate.  Use a rubric to assess the paragraph.

West Virginia IGOs:
     Mathematics:  7.15, 8.14, 8.36, 8.57, AM1.6, AM1.15, Al.1, Al.4, Al.20, G.12, and G.23
     English/Language Arts: 7.57, 8.49, and 9.47
     Social Studies:  6.41, 7.51, 10.38

National Standards:
         Mathematics:
            Uses a variety of strategies in problem solving process
            Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of geometry
            Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of functions and algebra
         English/Language Arts:
            Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
            Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written compositions
         World History:
            Understands technological and cultural innovation and change

Workplace process:  PW.2, PW.8, PW.9, PW.10, PW.27, PW.28, PW.36, and PW.44.
 Job/Career Cluster:  Engineering/Technical.

References:
Logica Public Server
Math Lab

Authors:  Dianne Smith
              Donna Pittman
              Teresa Lester
              Shady Spring Junior High School