8.10.B

Math8th Grade

The Standard

differentiate between transformations that preserve congruence and those that do not

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students decide whether a translation, reflection, rotation, or dilation keeps a figure the same size and shape. They justify decisions by comparing corresponding side lengths and angle measures.

What Mastery Looks Like

Students correctly classify translations, rotations, and reflections as motions that keep size and shape. They explain that a dilation with a scale factor other than 1 changes side lengths, so the figures are not congruent.

Common Misconceptions

Students often think a reflected figure is not congruent because its orientation changes. They may assume every dilation changes congruence, overlooking scale factor 1, or trust a sketch instead of measurements.

How to Assess It

Give students four diagrams showing a translation, rotation, reflection, and dilation with scale factor 2. Ask them to label each as congruent or not congruent and justify each choice.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Trace a triangle on patty paper, then slide, turn, and flip it before comparing corresponding side lengths and angles.

  2. Ask students to explain why a reflection changes orientation but not congruence, using side lengths and angles as evidence.

  3. Play a card sort with transformation diagrams, placing each under congruent or not congruent and defending one disputed choice.

  4. Compare an original photo with copies printed at 100% and 150%, then decide which copy is congruent to the original.

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