Exploring Triangle Congruence with SSS Postulate

Objective:

Students will be able to identify and apply the Side-Side-Side (SSS) Postulate to determine triangle congruence.

Assessment:

Students will demonstrate their understanding of triangle congruence by completing a worksheet where they must apply the SSS Postulate to prove triangles congruent.

Key Points:

• Understand the Side-Side-Side (SSS) Postulate for triangle congruence

• Identify when triangles are congruent using the SSS Postulate

• Apply the SSS Postulate to prove triangle congruence

Opening:

• Engage students by presenting two triangles on the board and asking them how they can determine if the triangles are congruent based on the SSS Postulate.

Introduction to New Material:

• Explain the SSS Postulate and its significance in proving triangle congruence

• Clarify common misconception: Having three congruent sides does not necessarily make the triangles congruent.

Guided Practice:

• Provide examples where students can practice applying the SSS Postulate to determine triangle congruence

• Scaffold questioning from straightforward examples to more complex scenarios

• Monitor student performance by circulating the classroom and providing feedback as they work through examples.

Independent Practice:

• Assign a set of problems where students must use the SSS Postulate to prove triangle congruence.

• Encourage students to work independently and ask for help when needed.

• Provide feedback on their work to ensure understanding.

Closing:

• Have students share their answers to the independent practice problems and discuss any common errors or misconceptions as a class.

Extension Activity:

• For early finishers, provide a challenge activity where they must create their own set of triangles and determine congruence based on given side lengths.

Homework:

• As homework, students should complete a worksheet where they identify congruent triangles using the SSS Postulate.

Standards Addressed:

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.CO.D.12: Make formal geometric constructions with a variety of tools and methods (compass and straightedge, string, reflective devices, paper folding, dynamic geometric software, etc.).

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.CO.D.12: Construct the inscribed and circumscribed circles of a triangle, and prove properties of angles for a quadrilateral inscribed in a circle.