String Art Geometry: Parabolic Curves

The Parabolic Curve line design is a basic and versatile configuration in geometric design. The basic principle is that curved shapes are created from the intersection of straight lines. Curved designs are created by connecting equally spaced coordinate points that are placed on two lines (horizontal and vertical) that meet at a 90 degree angle. The more points on the angle will create a more compact curve. Constructing a model of how straight lines create curved lines is one of the foci of this lesson. Using a multi-sensory approach to instruction, whereby we engage one or more of
our senses to make connections and preparing them to learn. This lesson uses string art as a multi-sensory strategy moving students from the concrete to the representational and finally the abstract level. Concrete models help students bring meaning to written symbols (NCTM, 2000) and the model itself becomes a visualization that improves comprehension (Jones, 2000).