ALEX Lesson Plan: "Polly"gon Pockets

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This lesson provided by:
Author:	Julie Maynard
System:	Bibb County
School:	West Blocton Middle School

Lesson Plan ID:

24064

Title:

"Polly"gon Pockets

Overview/Annotation:

In this lesson, students will explore the attributes of various polygons. Students will need to be in 12 cooperative groups (one for each shape being explored). They will complete a jigsaw puzzle to discover their shape and then list the attributes they notice about it. They will create a foldable that shows each polygon, describes its attributes, and lists items in our world that use that shape. Then, the students will create a collage using either magazines and 9x12 construction paper or the Internet and Microsoft Word to create a collage of items in our world that use polygon shapes.
This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.

Content Standard(s):

MA(2)	8. Describe attributes of two-dimensional (plane) and three-dimensional (solid) figures using the terms side, surface, edge, vertex, and angle.
MA(4)	11. Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, or octagons based on the number of sides, angles, and vertices.
MA(5)	8. Identify regular polygons and congruent polygons.
MA(6)	4. Identify two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures based on attributes, properties, and component parts.
MA(6)	6. Classify angles as acute, obtuse, right, or straight.
AED(5) Visual Arts	2. Apply variety and unity in the production of two- and three-dimensional works of art.

Local/National Standards:

Students will identify, compare, and analyze attributes of two-dimensional shapes and develop vocabulary to describe the attributes; classify two-dimensional shapes according to their properties and develop definitions of classes of shapes. (NCTM grades 3-5 Expectations) Students will compare polygons to geometric solids.

Primary Learning Objective(s):

Students will draw and describe the attributes of various polygons - triangles (equilateral, isosceles, and scalene), square, rectangle, rhombus, parallelogram, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, and decagon).

Additional Learning Objective(s):

Students will create a polygon collage using pictures from the Internet or from magazines that show polygons in use in our every day world.

Approximate Duration of the Lesson:

91 to 120 Minutes

Materials and Equipment:

Polygon puzzles, 12x18 light-colored construction paper, 9x12 construction paper (any color), markers, paper, pencils, scissors, rulers, and examples of polygons in use in our world (You need to find.)

Technology Resources Needed:

Computer, Internet, Microsoft PowerPoint and Word, printer, and digital projector

Background/Preparation:

Students should have vocabulary knowledge from previous grades to describe the attributes of polygons - edge, side, vertex, angle. Prepare polygon puzzles (cut them into puzzle pieces) and create a foldable to show students a finished product. Both are attachments below the procedures. Look for examples of polygons in use in our world - yield sign, stop sign, the Pentagon, etc.

Procedures/Activities:

1.)Divide the class into 12 groups - one for each polygon puzzle. Have them put the puzzle together and then observe the polygon and list all the attributes that they can.
(Figures and Polygons)
Super site for pictures of polygons, which are used in the PowerPoint presentation!

2.)Have each group share what attributes they noticed about their polygons with the class. You want to have a transparency or non-puzzle version of the shape they are discussing to display as each group presents their information. You could use the website link from step 1, too. Take note of things they say that are correct and that may not be in the PowerPoint show. In the attachments, you will find a checklist to document observations for each student.

3.)You will need to collect the polygon puzzles at this point and have students return to their seats if they scattered around the room to complete steps 1 and 2.

4.)Hand out a light-colored 12x18 piece of construction paper to each student. Instruct them to fold the paper in half "hamburger style" - short end to short end. They will have turned it into a 9x12 size. Then have them unfold it and fold the short ends into the middle fold line. It will look like a 9x12 again with "barn doors." Students then need to use their ruler to divide each door into horizontal 2-inch sections and cut only the door on that line to make fold-out flaps. See attached example "foldable."

5.)Have students draw an example polygon on each flap and name the polygon. For example, the first flap on the top left could be isosceles triangle. The students will draw this triangle and then write its name on the flap. You can do them in order of the PowerPoint presentation (attached).

6.)As you go through the PowerPoint show, the students will write the information on the inside of their flaps. They will lift up the flap and write the attributes on the left (in the PowerPoint) and the places or things in our world that use that polygon shape on the right (not included in the PowerPoint; talk about it as you go through each polygon). See example on the second page of the foldable attachment.
(Polygons)
This website is a great source of polygon information. On each polygon page you can manipulate the polygons to show equal sides, angles, etc. Some of the polygon pages show examples of them in our world.

7.)For the next day or as time permits, students will find real world examples of these polygons in pictures from magazines or on the Internet to create a collage. If they use magazines, give them a 9x12 sheet of construction paper to glue pictures onto. If they use the Internet, they will need to copy and paste pictures into a Word document (or other software program) to create their collage and then print them.

Attachments:**Some files will display in a new window. Others will prompt you to download.

Polygons.ppt
polygon puzzles.rtf
foldable.rtf
polygonchecklist.doc

Assessment Strategies:

Observe students as they list possible attributes of their shapes while in their groups. Make sure they discuss why it has that attribute. Check on students as they create their foldables to be sure they are writing attributes and real world examples for the correct polygons. Check collages for polygons. Make sure students did not add pictures that did not have polygons being used. Discuss their collage with them if they did this.

Extension:

If you need extra activites for those early finishers, Polygon Playground is a fun, interactive site for students to create a picture using various polygons. They can experiment with tessellation, symmetry, patterns, designs, edge comparisons, etc. If technology is not available or is limited, use hands-on manipulatives like power polygons or pattern blocks.

Remediation:

Work in cooperative groups. Check on student for understanding of directions and assignment. Polygon Playground is a fun, interactive site for students to create a picture using various polygons. They can experiment with tessellation, symmetry, patterns, designs, edge comparisons, etc. This website may help students see how polygons are similar and different.

Each area below is a direct link to general teaching strategies/classroom accommodations for students with identified learning and/or behavior problems such as: reading or math performance below grade level; test or classroom assignments/quizzes at a failing level; failure to complete assignments independently; difficulty with short-term memory, abstract concepts, staying on task, or following directions; poor peer interaction or temper tantrums, and other learning or behavior problems.

Presentation of Material

Using Groups and Peers

Assisting the Reluctant Starter

Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior

Be sure to check the student's IEP for specific accommodations.

Variations Submitted by ALEX Users: