Teachers Network
A World of Symmetry: Math-Geometry
Define and identify the three basic forms of symmetry translation, rotation, and glides with your class. They cut out and arrange paper pattern blocks to illustrate symmetry, create a Cartesian graph, and design a rug with a symmetrical...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math (K) Lab
In this shape instructional activity, learners cut out tangram shapes and create different pictures with them. They look at 3-D shapes as well. There is a nice, hands-on component built into this instructional activity.
Gatton Park
Magical Maths
A variety of activities take scholars outside the classroom to explore shapes, symmetry, measurement, patterns, sorting, and time in nature. Learners participate individually, and in teams, to measure found objects, go on a...
Curated OER
Small and Large Squares
Young mathematicians classify squares according to attributes. They sort squares according to specific attributes. Students explore squares in repeating patterns and order squares according to size. Engaging extension activities are...
State of Michigan
Pre-K Mathematics
Kick-start children's education with this pre-school math unit. Offering 31 different hands-on learning activities that develop young mathematicians' pattern and shape recognition, basic number sense, and much more, this is a...
Curated OER
Investigating Tessellations in 2 Dimensions
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.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Hurricane Shapes: Spatial Patterns on Satellite Images
In this earth science learning exercise, students match 21 hurricane satellite images to their appropriate shape. They also answer 4 short answer questions about hurricane shape classification.
Curated OER
Mosaic Tiles
I would consider this an outline and not a complete instructional activity. It would take a little work on your part because you would need to look on the internet for examples of Ojibwe art to show your pupils. They could explore the...
Curated OER
Shapes Are Everywhere
Third graders use various shapes to identify polygons and understand symmetry. They explore pattern blocks noticing their similarities and differences, then share with other team members. They draw 3 polygons in their journals and...
Annenberg Foundation
Geometry 3D Shapes: Euler's Theorem
How do you get a theorem named after you? Euler knows what it takes! The third lesson of five asks pupils to use an interactive activity to compare the faces, vertices, and edges of seven different three-dimensional solids. They use...
Curated OER
Poly-Mania
This hands-on activity takes young geometers on a tour of 2D polygons and 3D polyhedrons. After exploring different web resources and discussing geometric shapes, small groups construct models of polyhedrons using bendable straws. Note:...
Denton Independent School District
Pieces to the Puzzle Fraction Project
Four polygons each have a fraction with unlike denominators printed on them. Creative math minds select several shapes to create a design with and then write and solve a math problem involving the addition of all of the fractions...
Shodor Education Foundation
Visual Patterns in Tessellations
Geometers explore the concept of tessellations. They use a tessellation applet to manipulate shapes and design their own tessellation using the applet.
Noyce Foundation
Piece it Together
Score some problems all related to soccer balls. The first few problems focus on pattern blocks to see relationships between figures. More advanced problems focus on actual soccer balls, the patterns on the balls, and their volumes and...
Curated OER
Pattern Block Polygons
Sixth graders create polygons. In this shapes lesson, 6th graders explore prefixes such as oct, tri, quad, pent, etc. and share their findings. Students use pattern blocks to create two different polygons and label them.
Curated OER
Folding to Make Shapes
Second graders identify different polygons and their attributes. In this geometry lesson, 2nd graders get to know polygons by studying the vocabulary and finding polygons in their classroom. They create these shapes and then find their...
Curated OER
Combine Plane Shapes
In this early childhood math practice worksheet, students examine 3 shapes and then select the blocks that they would use to build a similar shape.
Curated OER
Patterns Here, There, and Everywhere!
Upper graders access the Microsoft Word program and create patterns by utilizing certain keys on the keyboard. They create picket fences, smiley faces, and hearts. It seems that this lesson has as much to do with keyboarding skills as it...
Curated OER
Tiling Tessellations
Students explore tessellations. In this shapes and geometry lesson, students describe the attributes of many of the shapes displayed on an Elmo. Students create examples of tessellations using pattern blocks.
Curated OER
Line and Pattern Design Paper Sculpture
The students create patterns and repeat colors for unity. They explore organic shapes and demonstrate awareness of design principles and art elements. They then create 3-D paper relief from a 2-D surface and demonstrate the difference...
Curated OER
Grade 3: What Can I Make with 30 Centimeters?
Third graders create polygons with perimeters of 30 centimeters, use the centimeter grid paper to determine the area of each shape, and organize the shapes to make generalizations from the patterns they see.
Curated OER
Exploring Tessellations
Fifth graders examine how to make tessellations. In this tessellation activity, 5th graders review the meaning of the word "polygon" while the teacher shows them various examples. They practice making tiling patterns or tessellation's...
Curated OER
Terrific Tangrams
Third graders construct tangrams. In this tangrams lesson, 3rd graders manipulate basic shapes to construct tangrams. Students explore how shapes can be combined in different ways and develop spatial sense.