There’s some resources below, but first… a nice desmos activity to help introduce the concept with a fun task first before introducing Pythagoras to students.
HANDS ON/PRACTICAL:
See this link to using an origami activity to teach Pythagoras! (scroll to bottom of article)
DEMONSTRATION:
Nice visual water demonstration seeing how pythagoras works: http://blogs.rosebank.nsw.edu.au/slotter/2014/04/16/pythagoras-theorem-water-demo/
Desmos titles this one “Pythagorean Theorem Proofs without words!”
ONE OF DAN MEYER’S QUESTION SCENARIOS:
http://threeacts.mrmeyer.com/tacocart/
Need to use Pythagoras and some thinking to work it out!
WORKSHEET:
Used for year 8, for students to practice being able to find both hypotenuse and short sides – to solve a riddle!
Another golf desmos activity – once they have the hang of Pythagoras or to check understanding maybe?
Can use the Taco Cart activity on Desmos as well for an application once they understand it.
NB: Robert K has this scarecrow activity as an intro… but not sure the context will capture interest?
How about this video – from about the mid-point – to inspire/challenge some thinking!! Talking about the pursuit of the perfect cuboid. An interesting video anyway discussing what mathematicians generally do (problem solving!)
And for an extension – check out the Q in the image below:
