Toothpick and Marshmallow Shapes

This post is an updated version of something I wrote earlier in the week. I must have been tired when I wrote it because I indicated that we used pretzels instead of toothpicks for our shape lesson - although that would have been a great idea as well! I'll have to remember it for next year. Although it was a minor detail, I thought I'd update:

To help the students recognize the number of vertices and sides each two-dimensional shape has, they created models of the shapes with toothpicks and marshmallows. The toothpicks help them visualize the sides and the marshmallows visualize the vertices. In case you wonder why the marshmallows look so strange, it is because the melted...but it was still fun!

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Shape Pets

Since we were studying about both pets and shapes last week, we decided to make shape pets. The students chose from a variety of shapes which they put together to make a shape pet. They then wrote about their pet using our writing program, Write From the Beginning. We are currently working on the Observational Comment Writing level so the students had a concrete object to write about. It was a fun way to combine art, math, and writing! Click below to see all of their shape pets.

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Shapes All Around Us

As we studied 2D shapes, we created a class grid to compare and contrast the attributes of the shapes. The students are expected to know how many sides and vertices each shape has as well as identify how the shapes are the same and different. After comparing the shapes, the students worked in small groups to illustrate real-life objects that are the same shape as their assigned shape - either a triangle, circle, square, or square rectangle. Each group then presented their posters to the class and became the "experts" who reviewed the class on how many sides and vertices their specific shape had.

Shape Spotters

As a quick review of 2D shapes, we played a game of shape spotters. The students raced around the room finding various shapes to identify and point out. Click below to watch a short slideshow of some of their favorite shapes.

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Shape Sorting

To help students recognize the unique attributes of 2D shapes, they worked in small groups to sort various shapes in examples and non-examples. Sorting this way helps students justify why they made their sorting choices and teaches them to use content specific vocabulary to defend their choices. For example, as I walked around monitoring the students' sorting, the students would tell me that they knew which were triangles because it had three sides and three vertices and the other shapes (such as diamonds, rectangles, etc.) did not. We continued this process through several shape sorts.

How to Be a 3D Shape

Last week the students used what they learned about 3 dimensional shapes to write a "how to" paper. The students used our class created grid to identify how many faces/surfaces, edges/rims, and vertices/points each shape had. They then formated them into notes on a graphic organizer which they then used to form complete sentences. Thank you to my teammate, Mrs. Linnabary, for finding this great lesson idea on LessonPlanSos.

3D Shape Sort

In computer lab today, the students created their own six-part chart in Pixie 2 to sort clipart into 3D shape categories. Enjoy a quick movie below of their work:

3D Shapes

This week we have been learning about 3 dimensional shapes and their attributes. The students are expected to know how many faces or surfaces each shape has, the number of vertices or points, the nubmer of edges, and real life examples. To practice this, the students practiced making the shapes out of playdough. They then counted the number of faces, vertices, and edges each shape had. The students also worked in cooperative groups to sort real life objects on a large thinking map.

Math Tubbing

This six weeks I introduced Math Tubbing to the students. Math Tubbing is like Literacy Stations but with math content. Instead of going to a station, the students get a container filled with content-specific materials (games, books, manipulatives, etc.) that they can work on independently or in small groups. While the students are working on previously taught concepts, I work with small groups in Guided Math. In Guided Math we focus on the specific areas that individual students struggle in. The Math Tubs that the students are using right now include Number Recognition, Place Value, Graphing, Addition/Subtraction Operations, Shapes, Fractions, and Patterns. Students also have the opportunity to use our online computer program, First In Math. Below are some pictures of the students working with Math Tubs.

More Shapes

As review, the students created four-part charts about shapes. They had to identify and draw one real-life object that is one of the basic two-dimensional shapes. Then, in computer lab a few weeks ago, the students created their own four-part chart using the technology skill of "click, hold, and drag" to sort clipart into the correct shape category.

Pumpkin Shapes

The students created abstract pumpkins out of squares and triangles during our study of two-dimensional shapes. The goal was to see different ways squares and square rectangles could be made using smaller squares. It was a good way for the students to see that no matter the shape of the square or square rectangle, its attributes stayed the same - it had four vertices (corners) and four sides. The students were challenged to make pumpkin leaves by creating large triangles out of smaller triangles. They had to focus on turning the small triangles to make a pattern. Enjoy a quick slideshow below of their work:

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Shape Spotters

This last week the students explored the features of 2-dimensional shapes in many way. The students found shapes at home to share with classmates during "Shape Show and Tell", created clowns and identified the number of each shape used, sorted shapes into example and non-example groups, created pictures of everyday objects from shapes, and created posters of triangles and rectangles to identify how many sides and vertices each has. The students even used pretzel sticks and marshmallows to create models of triangles, squares, and square rectangles. The pretzel sticks were a good representation of the sides and the marshamllows gave the students a hands-on example of how many corners, or vertices, each shape has. To see all of the shape spotting the students did over the week, check out the slideshow below:

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Art in Motion

This week in math we have been identifying and exploring 3D shapes. In science we have been experimenting with motion. So, today we combined both in an art project. The students rolled spheres, or ping pong balls, covered in paint across their paper to make various designs. As the students worked, we discussed the attributes of various shapes and if they will roll, slide, or do both. The students are currently reflecting on their learning through writing. Enjoy a quick slideshow video of the students experimenting with shapes and motion.

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