The goal of this lesson is to estimate and calculate the square root of a whole number.
The lesson starts by defining the terms _square root_ and _perfect square_. The first example gives a visual example of what a perfect square is, and follows up with three practice questions. The second and last example gets students to determine the first 10 perfect squares (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100), and then asks students to calculate the square roots of certain numbers.
I haven't explained in the lesson how to calculate square roots using a calculator, and you may choose to do that at this point, or to teach how to estimate them instead.
If your students are looking for a more detailed explanation, this series might help.
Without further ado, here are the notes: 2014-09-03 1.6 Square Roots.pdf [file unavailable]
\* Consider teaching lesson _1.7 Exploring Square Roots and Squares_ before assigning the support questions in section 1.6. Section 1.7 contains examples that will help students with some of the questions in section 1.6.
**Chapter Overview / Table of contents.** Not what you're looking for? Try the main Grade 8 Nelson Mathematics Lesson Plans [file unavailable].