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...
Activity
Noyce Foundation

The Shape of Things

For Students K - 12th Standards
Investigate the attributes of polygons. A thorough set of lessons presents problem scenarios for elementary through high school classes. The first lessons focus on basic characteristics of polygons, including the line of symmetry. As the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Tessellations in 2 Dimensions

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students analyze tessellations.  In this geometry lesson, students discover which shapes can or cannot be used to create a tessellation.  Students watch a video, then create their own tessellations.
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

2D and 3D Shapes

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Have your class use online activities to recognize the names and properties of 2D and 3D shapes. They will listen to their teacher describe a mystery shape and try to guess it. Additionally they will watch clips online about a 2D shape...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marshmallow Geometry

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create 2D and 3D shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks. In this geometry lesson plan, 3rd graders create their shapes and document the number of faces, edges, corners, angles, and sides. They share one shape and its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Six Squares

For Teachers K - 6th
Students create different shapes on grid paper.  In this two-dimensional geometry lesson, students take turns outlining a shape made of six squares on the graph paper.  They identify all shapes they see once everyone has had a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cutting Positive and Negative SYMMETRICAL SHAPES

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars cut intricate symmetrical shapes on the fold. Also, they identify positive and negative shapes and warm, cool and neutral colors. Finally, they glue shapes to create a pleasing design.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dancing Polygons and Non-Polygons with Patterns

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders study movements. In this dance lesson, 2nd graders draw patterns selecting one to represent through movement with their body.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Metallic Mosaic

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students engage in a lesson about polygons while creating a mosaic pattern. They concentrate upon creating a pattern that is geometric and has the look of a quilt design. The lesson includes steps to complete the project and helpful hints.
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

Creating Polygons

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students describe, make and compare polygons. For this creating polygons lesson, students identify properties of quadrilaterals and describe common features of two dimensional shapes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shape & Form

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze the difference between shape and form. They identify, explain and use the basic elements of design and determine that forms are three-dimensional and shapes are two-dimensional. They sketch it on their paper and then...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Free Printables: Nets (3D Models)

For Students 3rd - 6th
In this 3D shapes worksheet, students cut out the 3D shape on the page and fold on the lines to create the correct shape. The worksheet states which shape should be build with the cut-out.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Zigzag"

For Teachers K
Students listen to the book "Zigzag" by Robert D. San Souci, and examine the concepts of friendship, respect, and determination. They answer story comprehension questions, then create a fabric doll using the shapes from the book.
Writing
Curated OER

Poems: calligrams

For Students 1st - 3rd Standards
Have fun with shape poems! First and second graders write calligrams that add to the meaning of their poems. Great for your poetry unit or if you want to combine poetry and art lessons. 
Lesson Plan
Code.org

Canvas and Arrays in Apps

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Scholars learn how to make a digital canvas and fill it with artwork by creating a drawing app using the canvas element. The activity requires learners to previous knowledge of arrays and return commands to draw images.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shaded Bottles

For Teachers K - 6th
Learners draw, and then paint three-dimensional bottles to practice shading which shows shape and perspective. The step-by-step process for creating dimensional still life art is outlined, which makes teaching art an attainable task. Oil...
Printables
Positively Autism

Color Clips

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
R-E-D spells red. Kids manipulate squares of color and match a lettered, color square with the same letter printed on a clothespin.
Worksheet
Curated OER

I Can Name Them All!

For Students K - 2nd
Six 3-D shapes are featured in this figure-recognition book template. As they create a "My 3-D Shapes Book," young scholars place shapes on the appropriate pages, which already have text indicating the shape and its color. Although it is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circles, Rectangles, Squares, Triangles

For Teachers K
Students identify, compare and classify the various shapes. For this shapes lesson, students listen to descriptions of shapes with words such as sides, angles, congruent, and parallel. Students then give the teacher examples of shapes...
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

Making Triangles

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students use interactive geoboards to identify simple geometric shapes. In this making triangles lesson, students describe the properties associated with geometric shapes. Students develop spatial sense and the mathematical meaning...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polygon Necklaces

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore geometry by creating jewelry in class. In this polygons lesson, students identify different shapes and characteristics while creating polygon figures from construction paper. Students utilize a multitude of shapes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creature Design

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders create mathematical creatures. In this geometry lesson, 5th graders create a creature from regular and irregular geometric shapes. Students review vocabulary and construct an original creature based on a rubric.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Geometric World

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the attributes of polygons. In this geometric shapes lesson plan, 3rd graders review quadrilaterals, squares, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons in order to create hanging polygons. Students...