Lesson Plan
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Illustrative Mathematics

3-D Shape Sort

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
From the apple on your desk and the coffee cup in your hand, to the cabinets along the classroom wall, basic three-dimensional shapes are found everywhere in the world around us. Introduce young mathematicians to the these common figures...
Lesson Plan
World Wildlife Fund

Shapes

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Investigate the properties of three-dimensional figures with this Arctic-themed math lesson. Beginning with a class discussion about different types of solid figures present in the classroom, young mathematicians are then given a...
Unit Plan
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Virginia Department of Education

Exploring 3-D Geometry

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Take young mathematicians on an exploration of the world of 3-D geometry with this seven-lesson unit. After first defining the terms perimeter, area, and volume and how they apply to the real world, students continue on...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Understanding Three-Dimensional Figures

For Teachers 7th Standards
You can't judge a book by its cover ... or a cube structure by just one face. A creative lesson looks at the shape of several cube structures described by level slices. The 20th lesson of the 29-part series expects young mathematicians...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's a 3-D World Out There!

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students construct polygons. They identify attributes of three-dimensional shapes. Students name common three-dimensional shapes. They draw three-dimensional shapes, and sort three-dimensional shapes. Students use K'NEX materials sets to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3-D Figures Part 1

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Elementary schoolers explore 3-D shapes. They transition from thinking of shapes as only 2-D. Pupils read Cinderella as a launching activity for their upcoming adventure, and explore a new world of 3-D shapes in this introductory lesson.
Lesson Plan
National Security Agency

Classifying Triangles

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Building on young mathematicians' prior knowledge of three-sided shapes, this lesson series explores the defining characteristics of different types of triangles. Starting with a shared reading of the children's book The Greedy...
Performance
Radford University

Coal Silo Design Task

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The coal is mined. Now what? Scholars design a coal silo that stores mined earth using at least two different three-dimensional shapes. They calculate the volume, determine the amount of mined earth produced in a day, and find the amount...
Unit Plan
Radford University

Green Acres is the Place to Be!

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Nurture a love of math and farming at the same time. Pupils apply geometry concepts, such as surface area and volume of three-dimensional shapes and similarity ratios, to farming contexts. They consider the dimensions of bales of hay,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art or Junk? Discovering the Triangle Inequality

For Teachers 6th
Middle schoolers study the triangle inequality. They will identify, compare, and analyze attributes of two and three-dimensional shapes. Then they develop vocabulary to describe the attributes. They also use manipulatives to analyze the...
Lesson Plan
Fayetteville Public Schools

I've Seen That Shape Before

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd Standards
The objectives in the resource allow students to explore the characteristics of simple solid shapes. Youngsters learn to recognize the face shapes, corners, and edges that make up 3-D figures by filling in a chart. Lastly,...
Performance
Radford University

Swimming Pool Dilemma

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Different shape, same volume—that's quite a challenge! Scholars design a pool for an imaginary client using three-dimensional figures. They must then create a second pool for another client with the same volume, but using different shapes.
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Surface Area and Volume

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Partners use materials to wrap three-dimensional objects to determine the formula for surface area. The groups use an orange to calculate the amount of peel it takes to completely cover the fruit. Using manipulatives, individuals then...
Lesson Plan
American Institute of Physics

African American Inventors in History

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
A two-part lesson introduces young historians to the work of famous African American inventors. Groups first research and develop a presentation of an inventor that includes biographical information and information about one of their...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Fish Forms

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd Standards
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you can add art to any lesson! While little learners are discovering why fish have specific body parts such as, scales, fins, and gills, they start making three-dimensional fish forms. Children...
Unit Plan
Partnership for Educating Colorado Students

Mayan Mathematics and Architecture

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Take young scholars on a trip through history with this unit on the mathematics and architecture of the Mayan civilization. Starting with a introduction to their base twenty number system and the symbols they used, this eight-lesson unit...
Lesson Plan
National Security Agency

Awesome Area - Geometry and Measurement

For Teachers 2nd - 4th Standards
Break out those math manipulatives, it's time to teach about area! Capturing the engagement of young mathematicians, this three-lesson series supports children with learning how to measure the area of squares, rectangles, and other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soft Sculpture Birds

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Art can mimic life, and animals are always interesting subjects. Learners create large soft sculptures (stuffed) birds using paper, paint, and other basic collage materials. They view images of birds, and discuss bird traits and shapes....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet/Constellation Mobile

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students construct three-dimensional solar system mobiles.
Lesson Plan
National Gallery of Canada

My Treehouse

For Teachers K - 3rd
If you could build your own treehouse, what would it look like? Using a piece of contemporary art as inspiration, learners draw their own treehouses and add geometric and organic shapes. The lesson touches on Visual Thinking Strategies...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Basic Right Triangles

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Elementary schoolers examine the attributes of triangles. In this triangle lesson, learners compare regular triangles and right triangles. They explore vertices and angles and investigate obtuse and acute angles. Pupils draw multiple...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shapes to Forms

For Teachers 1st
Here is a math lesson that is really a visual arts lesson in disguise! In it, pupils utilize their knowledge of geometric shapes and forms to create a detailed version of a cylinder. The instructions on how to go about the task are very...
Activity
DiscoverE

LIDAR: Mapping with Lasers

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
We would be lost without maps! How are they made? Introduce junior topographers to LIDAR technology with a fascinating activity. Set up a mock city, then have learners operate a laser measure to determine the shape of the landscape using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Nets and Polyhedra

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders create a net for a given polyhedron. They determine the corresponding polyhedron for a given net. Students investigate several polyhedra (cube, tetrahedron, and one of their choosing) and their corresponding nets. They...