Date: September 2003
 
Title: An Internet Fractal Lesson Plan
 
Teacher's Name: Diana Lewis
 
Parish: Monroe City Schools
 
School: Neville High
 
Email: diana.lewis@mcschools.net
 
Subject Area: Geometry
 
Level: 7-12
 
Topics: Art, Language Arts, and Mathematics
 
Learning Objectives: The learner will go on an Internet scavenger hunt to learn more about fractals and then will make a fractal of his/her own using "Mandelbrot Explorer".
 
Louisiana Content Standards:
 
ELA-5-M2
locating and evaluating information sources;
CE-1VA-H6
producing works of art which describe and connect art with other disciplines
G-2-M
identifying, describing, comparing, constructing, and classifying geometric figures and concepts;
G-7-M
demonstrating the connection of geometry to the other strands and to real-life situations;
G-1-H
identifying, describing, comparing, constructing, and classifying geometric figures in two and three dimensions using technology where
appropriate to explore and make conjectures about geometric concepts and figures;

Materials:
Computer with Internet Connection
Blank computer disk (optional for saving student's created fractal)
Time: 1-2 days
 
Procedure:
 
1. After opening a web browser such as Netscape or Internet Express, type in the following web address (with no spaces):
http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrack.do?number=92498&nocache=1791771943
2. Follow the directions in the top window while looking at the web site in the bottom window. Each question's web page is provided in the
window on the left.
3. Record your answers to the questions on the worksheet provided by your teacher.
4. Make a fractal of your own using the instructions given at the end of the worksheet.
 
Explorations and Extensions:
 
1) Take a field trip outside to discover fractals in nature.
2) Explore the sites listed in "Other Internet Sites" below to get more information about fractals.
 
Evaluation Tools/Opportunities:
 
1) Write a report on fractals using the Internet and recording sites.
2) Write in a Journal about fractal findings in nature in a Journal.
3) Bring an object to class that demonstrates the fractal idea.
4) Worksheet mentioned at the beginning of this lesson.
5) Fractal created by the student using "Mandelbrot Explorer".
 
Other Internet Sites:
The Fractal Microscope
http://storm.shodor.org/eoe/mandy/
 
A Fractal Lesson
http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/frac/
 
Sprott's Fractal Gallery
http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/fractals.htm
 
Coolmath Fractals
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/fractals.html
 
Personal Comments from the Author: The worksheet will give the students a brief introduction to the fractals they are about to explore.
 
Feedback: If you are not the author but used this lesson plan, please send your comments to the author.
 
 

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