Geometry: Triangle Inequality Theorem

1. Have student come up with examples of triangles and record the side lengths (from least to greatest). Then, do the same for non-triangles. If you student doesn't already see the patterns himself, encourage him to find the patterns and not give up. 

2. Always require students to write their observations out in complete sentences. As he notices the reasoning behind the property or theorem, encourage him to improve his sentence before adopting his final rule that should come close the official definition for the Theorem. If he gets stuck, encourage him to try writing in an "if ___, then ___" format. Sometimes using a conditional structure helps him to get his rule into writing.

3.  At this point, have him test and revise it. 

4. Have him compare his rule to the theorem. Have him practice applying and using the theorem.