Fibonacci in Nature
Students will learn about the Fibonacci sequence and how it relates to growth patterns in plants, shells, and other natural forms.
LESSON PLAN
Materials:
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Projector and slides
Time Needed: 30 minutes
I Do: 10 minutes
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Explain the Fibonacci sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13... (each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers)
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Discuss where the Fibonacci sequence is found in mathematics (e.g., ratios, golden spirals)
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Show examples of how the Fibonacci sequence appears in nature (e.g., the arrangement of leaves, the spiral of a nautilus shell, the pattern of sunflower seeds)
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Explain why this sequence often appears in nature (growth)
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We Do: 15 minutes
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Have the kids go outside. Each should form their own Fibonacci sequence by either finding flowers or pinecones
You Do: 5 minutes
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Start a Fibonacci sequence. Once one student gives the answer to the next number in the sequence, they can leave