Geometry: Compass Investigations in Circles
“In his own magic circle wanders the wonderful man, and draws us with him to wonder and take part in it.” ~ Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Materials:
- compass
- high quality paper
- colored pencils
- Circles (Let’s Investigate)
Euclid in The School of Athens by Raphael Sanzio |
1. Experience how the ancients discovered geometry: drawing in dirt until a pattern, such as a square in the middle of a series of circles, finding other shapes by connecting different points in a circle, etc.
2. Learn how to draw circles with a compass. It’s not easy. It’s frustrating. It takes time and focus. It takes patience and forgiveness of your mistakes.
2. Once can draw a circle with a compass, start drawing circle upon circle, noticing the patterns that appear.
3. Highlight the patterns that interest you and color with colored pencils, highlighting the patterns.