University of Colorado
Patterns and Fingerprints
Human fingerprint patterns are the result of layers of skin growing at different paces, thus causing the layers to pull on each other forming ridges. Here, groups of learners see how patterns and fingerprints assist scientists in a...
Curated OER
Geometry and Quilting
Students create a quilt square for a class quilt using at least three, two-dimensional geometric figures. They research and write a brief description of at least two different quilt patterns that they find. Pupils discuss that quilts are...
Illustrative Mathematics
Grandfather Tang's Story
It's amazing the complex figures that can be made using only a few simple shapes. Following a class reading of the children's book Grandfather Tang's Story by Ann Tompert, young mathematicians use sets of tangrams to create models...
Curated OER
Symmetry in Shapes and Everyday Objects
Fifth graders discover lines of symmetry for shapes and everyday objects. In this lines of symmetry lesson, 5th graders use a butterfly outline to find lines of symmetry. Students analyze everyday objects for symmetry and use...
Curated OER
Rep Tiles
Third graders use pattern blocks of one shape at a time to try to create a similar shape. They compare the perimeter of the new figure with the perimeter of the original shape and look for a pattern. Students use the pattern to predict...
Curated OER
Cut, Construct and Think
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...
Curated OER
Transformations in the Coordinate Plane
Your learners connect the new concepts of transformations in the coordinate plane to their previous knowledge using the solid vocabulary development in this unit. Like a foreign language, mathematics has its own set of vocabulary terms...
Improving Measurement and Geometry in Elementary Schools
Rep Tiles
In addition to the catchy title, this lesson plan provides upper graders an opportunity to more closely scrutinize the attributes of plane figures. In particular, they focus on the similarity of different shapes. Both whole-class and...
Curated OER
Tiling the Plane
Students use pattern blocks and triangular grid paper to review shape names, be introduced to the concept of a tiling of the plane, and determine which pattern blocks tile the plane. They are asked: "Have you ever seen a floor or a wall...
World Wildlife Fund
Take 6
Investigate the various properties of the number six with this elementary math lesson. From simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems to the creation of hexagonal tessellations, this lesson covers all aspects of...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Tiling the Plane
Fifth graders use pattern blocks and triagular grid paper to reivew shape names, be introduced to the concept of a tiling of the plane, and determine which pattern blocks tile the plane. They are asked if they comprehend what a...
Curated OER
Geometric Solids
Students identify and create simple geometric shapes and describe simple spatial relationships. Through discussion, hands-on activities and show and tell, they identify geometric solids in real life and create graphs of commonly found...
Curated OER
Irregular Fractals
Students study and research irregular fractals and construct a few based on their research. Students practice pattern recognition skills and plane geometry skills calculating dimensions on the Fractured Pictures activity.
Curated OER
"How Many Snails?" by Robert Wells
Students represent algebraic patterns in various ways.
Mascil Project
Circular Pave-Stones Backyard
Pack the instructional activity into your plans. Young mathematicians learn about packing and optimization with the context of circular paving stones. They use coins to model the paving stones, and then apply knowledge of circles and...
Teach Engineering
Build the Biggest Box
Boxing takes on a whole new meaning! The second installment of the three-part series has groups create lidless boxes from construction paper that can hold the most rice. After testing out their constructions, they build a new box....
Curated OER
What do two-dimensional tessellations look like? Where in art can they be found?
Students explore the world of art and culture, including the works of M.C. Escher. They identify and create original tessellations. Students use a wealth of interactive multimedia applications. They explore the artistic representations...
Mathematics TEKS Toolkit
Grade 6: Exploring c/d = pi
Introduce your math class to the perimeter of a circle. Teach them that pi describes the relationship between the circumference and the diameter. As a hands-on investigation, pairs or small groups use string to compare these two values...
Curated OER
Investigating Nets and Polyhedra
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...
Curated OER
Learning by Sorting
Learners sort Lego Duplo pieces after determining the attributes to classify them by. They work in pairs to sort a group of Duplo pieces and explain their process to others.