Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Big and Strong

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Middle and high schoolers explore the concepts of architectural rigidity. They analyze a variety of polygons, and explain why some shapes add more strength to structures than others. The PBS video, "Building Big," is utilized in this plan.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Terrific Tangrams

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders construct tangrams. In this tangrams lesson, 3rd graders manipulate basic shapes to construct tangrams. Students explore how shapes can be combined in different ways and develop spatial sense.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pop-it...Stop-it

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students observe how certain geometric shapes can be used to make some structures rigid and others flexible. The activity involves construction of a 30-60 right triangle, folding while following directions, and identifying polygons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quilt Squares

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research the history of the quilt in American History and view a PowerPoint Presentation. They create a quilt square with colored paper using polygons, transformations, rotations, and reflections on the computer and on a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cut, Construct and Think

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students complete geometrical shapes construction activities. In this geometrical concepts lesson, students cut shapes from a worksheet to create a geometrical study activity. Students analyze their shapes and complete a table. Students...
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

Length and Perimeter

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore tessellations and the spatial concepts used in creating them.  In this tessellations lesson, 3rd graders rotate, reflect and transform shapes to create tessellations.  Students become familiar with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bone Transformations

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students create a picture from the shape of a bone. In this life science and art activity, students discuss their bones and their purposes, then use a picture of a bone as a starting point for an artistic transformation. Lesson can be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tessellmaniacs

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create 3 original tessellation using polygons. They slide, turn, rotate and glide their designs on the computer. They print their tessellation on a T-shirt and teach the 6th graders about tessellations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tantalizing Tessellations Lesson III: Creating a Slide Translation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore tessellations and the artwork of M.C. Escher. They view and discuss a video about M.C. Escher, create a slide template out of cardboard, and create a poster with their tessellation pattern.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Metamorphosis

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars select organic object and transform it to an inorganic object in five or six steps, and complete value rendered drawings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Native American Home

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore different types of Native American shelters. In this Native American homes lesson, 1st graders compare the shapes of shelters used by Native Americans. They build a home using the program "Community Construction...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scenario Challenge

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners create a quilt, using different patterns. In this geometry lesson, students apply prior knowledge as they use different patterns to help them create a quilt using transformations and geometric shapes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tessellating Art

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create artwork showing their own unique tessellating shapes. They apply the symmetries of a regular polygon and describe the reflection or rotational symmetry of a figure or object. They share their art work with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cranimals in 3D

For Teachers K - 5th
Students design their own mix and match animals, using lesson framework that emphasizes transformation, explore differences between clay and model magic, experiment with clay, and shape their animals into 3D sculptures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polygon Quilt

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners participate in a game with different types of polygons. They use triangles to create as many polygons as possible. They also review their colors by having different polygons be a different color.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Give It a Whirl

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine and identify polyhedron shapes on a math website. They write journal reflections about two- and three-dimensional shapes, and transform a square into a pinwheel.
Activity
PBS

Using Symmetry to Create Corporate Logos

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Young mathematicians investigate the use of symmetry in graphic design. After first learning about reflection, translational, and rotational symmetry, children use this new knowledge to identify symmetry in letters of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Equations in Motion: Design and construct a mobile

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners participate in a lesson that covers the concepts of solving equations and inequalities. To master the concept they must demonstrate visually and verbally how both sides of an equation must be balanced. They construct a balanced...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crayola® Model Magic® Colored Courtly Characters

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Students create a "Noh"-style mask, based on Japanese Noh theatre masks. They experiment with different colors of modeling clay and explore ways to show facial character.