Graphic Organizer Assignment

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Given quadrilateral ABCD, if ABCD is a parallelogram, then opposite sides are
congruent.
Given quadrilateral ABCD, if ABCD is a parallelogram, then opposite angles are
congruent.
Given quadrilateral ABCD, if ABCD is a parallelogram, then the diagonals bisect each
other.
Given quadrilateral ABCD, if ABCD is a rectangle, then ABCD is a parallelogram with
congruent diagonals.
Time for completion: 3 days
Directions: First, everyone will sign up for one of the theorems above. You will
then create your own mind map for proving the theorem. Note: when proving
the theorem you chose, you may assume, without proof, the other three
theorems listed above. You will first use the mind map to brainstorm ideas for
proving the theorem. Write down a couple of preliminary ideas for starting the proof
and see where they take you. Dont worry about getting the right answer right
now, this part is to help you get started. Once everyone thinks they have proved
the theorem or have a good start, you will gather in groups of 4 (with the same
theorem). You will compare mind maps, and hopefully, at least two people have
different proofs. If everyone has the same proof, everyone in your group will
need to think together to come up with another way to prove the theorem.
Note that the proof does not need to be radically different, it just needs to have a
few different steps. (Nearly every proof can have variations, so if you get stuck
come see me!) If your group cannot prove the statement in a different way, you will
prove the converse to your chosen theorem. In any case, your group is
responsible for two proofs.
For homework, your group will then start a Google Doc that formally writes up both
proofs of your theorem. Two people will write a first draft of the proof, and two
people will serve as editors of the proofs. A picture or pictures need to be included
in the write-up.
Finally, your group will design a poster board-size flow chart which provides the
skeleton to each proof. The skeletons just need to include each statement and
reason, without the formal language. The diagrams used in your write-ups should
be included on your poster board. We will have time to work on these posters in
class.
In class, we will have very informal presentations of your poster boards. With each
board stationed around the room, you will walk around and write down a version of
the proof you like best.

Everyone will then turn in a copy of the collaborative formal write up and their own
mind maps, and leave the posters in the classroom.
How this helps: Every theorem listed above is included in content standard GCO.11. The mind map helps you consider different possible ways of looking at
proving a theorem. Gathering into groups allows you to go expand your ways of
thinking by compare two specific ways of proving a theorem. If your group chose to
prove the converse to the theorem, you still see other ways of thinking by
collaborating together to prove a statement. Creating and observing all the flow
charts helps you remember the proofs of each theorem without memorizing the
proofs word for word.