Golden Ratio Ideas

[tcox]

Does anyone have any ideas on teaching the golden ratio to 7th graders?

[seastarmath]

There is a classic cartoon from the 1950's entitled "Donald in Mathmagicland." I got an old VHS, but I think they have re issued it in DVD format. Anyway, a good part of that is on the golden ratio and I show that to my kids. Then we create the rectangles and some other art using the golden ratio. Or have the kids research come classic architecture and make a ratio of the height of the building to the length. Or cereal boxes. They may notice the ratios all approach the value of the golden ratio. That is a spring board to discussions of WHY things are made using the golden ratio.

Try googling "Donald in Mathmagicland" and see if you can find a cheap copy. Sometimes you can pick one up on ebay.

[tcox]

Thanks. I'm showing them that movie, I just needed some things to tie into it. I think those ideas will work

[Boxcar]

I watched that movie in 7th grade! It was pretty neat. I wasn't really into math, but I enjoyed that lesson! We also got to make pictures using the Golden Rectangle and the other Golden Shapes. I forget what they are now. I think one is a triangle... Maybe? I know there is a rectangle because I traced a credit card to get my ratio shape.