Pennsylvania Department of Education
Creating Polygons
Students describe, make and compare polygons. In this creating polygons instructional activity, students identify properties of quadrilaterals and describe common features of two dimensional shapes.
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Fractions of a Set
Third graders use fractions to describe part of a set. In this fractions lesson, 3rd graders are introduced to fractions through a book and use pattern blocks to describe a fraction as a part of a set. This lesson includes a scripted...
Cornell University
Resolution—Not Just for the New Year
Experiment with optical resolution using an inquiry-based lesson. Young researchers calculate fellow classmates' optical resolutions. They apply the information to understand the inner workings of optical instruments.
Inside Mathematics
Magic Squares
Prompt scholars to complete a magic square using only variables. Then they can attempt to solve a numerical magic square using algebra.
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Wardrobe
Sixth graders observe the wardrobe and discuss the role of the wardrobe in the culture of viceregal Mexico. They research the design and the influence of Moorish decoration in the geometric pattern on the door. Students identify...
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Bench
Sixth graders examine and discuss the marquetry ornamentation on an antique bench. They design and create a symmetrically designed jewelry box using marquetry techniques.
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Compatible numbers to 20
Students practice theories dealing with equals sign used as a balance, inequality symbols and practice utilizing a box or some other geometric shape to represent an unknown number. They assess numeracy problems embedded in language-rick...
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Creating Adinkra Symbols
Students discover examples of adinkra cloth. They explain the history of the symbols themselves. They create a larger pattern using geometric symbols. They discover how the symbols can be used to communicate with one another.
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Arti'stick Mobile
Young scholars examine works of stained glass in one dimensional art form then adapt it a three dimensional transparent mobile. They create their mobile using patterns of shapes and simple images from computer line art, printed art books...
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Sports Bag
Learners determine an efficient layout of the pattern pieces needed to make a sports bag with given dimensions and specifications. Given a word problem, data set and a diagram, students evaluate the information they have available and...
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Tiling the Plaza (Geometry)
Students make patterns with a variety of pattern blocks. Pupils experiment with making tile designs using only one shape by rotating that shape around a point. They enter a contest for creating the best tile design for the new plaza...
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Sew, You Want To Quilt?
Students become familiar with the achievements of the artist Faith Ringgold. They take notice of the patterns in their environment. They connect the mathematical concept of patterns to create a class quilt.
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Math Challenges
Students engage their critical thinking skills to solve challenging math problems. In these problem solving lessons, student work with tessellations, weights/measurement, reasoning, surface area, geometric shapes, and algebraic procedures.
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Applying Proportionality in Scale Drawings
Sixth graders examine a blue print and discuss the reasoning behind using blue prints. In this proportionality lesson plan, students collaborate with their teammates to create a scale drawing. Once that is complete, 6th graders...
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That's So Square
Students familiarize themselves with the three most common geometric shapes: circles, triangles and parallelograms. They sketch, sort, and name the shapes.
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Building Shapes From Numbers
Learners experience how to illustrate some of the many connections between number and geometry. Through this 2-3 day focus on square numbers and triangular numbers, students make connections among mathematical topics.
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Grade 5: Testing for Tessellations
Fifth graders use formal geometric language to describe polygons (and other shapes) that will tessellate the plane and those that will not. Students make generalizations about the characteristics of a polygon (or other shape) that will...
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Tessellations
Learners identify and construct figures that tessellate. They investigate which regular polygons tessellate and how to modify them to make other tessellating figures. Students explore how naturally occurring tessellations have been...
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Tangram Puzzles
Learners explore the origin of tangram. In this algebra lesson, students form different shapes and figures using tangram. They solve for the area of different shapes without using any geometric formulas, but the idea of tangram being put...
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Rainbow Fish: The Copycat Fish Lesson Plan
Students explore the concept of copying one another. In this early childhood lesson plan, students discuss what a copycat is and why people copy one another. Students then discuss the story Rainbow Fish: The Copycat Fish, recording...
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Literacy Activity: Mouse Shapes
Learners listen to the book Mouse Shapes and identify the shapes in the book as it is being read. In this shapes lesson, students identify the shapes in the book, and then play with cut out shapes that they can hold in their hands.
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Snapping Your Fingers
In this algebra worksheet, students calculate how many snaps is done over a certain amount of time. They chart and graph their data. There is an answer key.
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Quilt Squared
Students study West Virginia quilts. In this mathematics instructional activity, students use symmetry, geometric shapes, and patterns to create their own quilt square.
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Basic Shapes
Students create books about shapes. In this shape lesson, students select a topic such as points, lines, angles, planes, polygons, quadrilaterals, triangles, circles, and polyhedra. In groups, they create an illustrated...