Field Study at Episcopal Church

Observing geometric shapes and their symbolism

The Assignment

• Students are asked to complete a scavenger hunt. • Students will be given the names of objects that

the teacher wants them to find. Students will be required to research the history of the object, determine the geometric shape or mathematical concept of the object and define that shape or concept.

• Students will then go to the Episcopal Church and take pictures of the objects.

The Objects

• The first object is a Prayer Labyrinth. Use this website to determine the significance of the Prayer Labyrinth, what geometric shape can be found in the Prayer Labyrinth and write the definition of that shape.

See Sample Response

The Objects

• The next object you will be required to find is the Trefoil & Equilateral Triangle Intertwined. Follow these websites to determine the significance of the Trefoil & Equilateral Triangle Intertwined, what geometric shape can be found in the object and write the definition of that shape.

See Sample Response

The Objects

• The next object you will be required to find is the Music Staff Lines. Follow this website to determine the significance of the Music Staff Lines, what mathematical concept(s) is represented by the Musical Staff Lines and write the definition of that concept.

See Sample Response

The Objects

• Last, you must find a cross.• Follow this website to determine the

significance of the cross, what mathematical concept is represented by the cross and write the definition of that concept.

See Sample Response

Prayer LabyrinthAt a glance it looks like concentric circles but upon closer observation it is a never-ending circuit path to the center and back.

With its four quadrants it is symbolic of the cross.

It is a labyrinth in which you can not get lost , as it represents your life journey through faith going to the center, toward God and putting Him in the center of your live physically and spiritually. Then as you pray on your way back out you have God with you.

Origins date back to ancient Greece.

Go to Next Object

Trefoil & Equilateral Triangle IntertwinedA symbol of the Holy Trinity was developed in the late Middle Ages.

Many religions around the world consider the number three to be very holy or divine.

Go to Next Object

Music Staff Lines These parallel lines have been dated around 500 A.D. In Greece and Rome. A Roman writer and statesman, Boethius, can be credited for developing a system of octaves.The musical notes are calculated with ratios.

Go to Next Object

Stone cross in walkwayThis perpendicular intersection of rock pathways is symbolic of the wooden cross on which Jesus was crucified. It is a common symbol used by many Christian to help remind them of their faith.It was used before Christianity.

Alternate Assignment

• Teacher selects the number of each type of geometric figure the students are to identify and photograph.

• After the pictures are taken students are instructed to make a product that identifies the figure and the historical significance behind it.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_labyrinth

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2097/who-invented-musical-notation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_cross

http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/26/2651.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trefoil