Lesson Title: Shaping Up
Standards:
Math
Product: Geometric Shapes
Process:
- Problem Solving
- Reasoning
- Integration
Science
Product: Gravity
Process:
- Observing
- Measuring
- Using Numbers
- Questioning
- Relating
- Predicting
- Applying
- Constructing models
Learning Style:
- Visual
- Tactile/ kinesthetic
- Interpersonal
- Logical/ Mathematical
Goal: The students will learn that different geometric
shapes have different strengths when used as a means of support.
Grade Level: 4th
Time: 35 minutes
Background Information:
- Basic geometric shapes.
- Changing shapes of structures can make them weaker or stronger.
- Weight is distributed equally over a cylinder.
- Corrugated paper is stronger than regular construction paper.
- Gravity is the force that pulls all objects to the ground.
- A variety of examples in which geometric shapes are used
in real life.
Pillars in churches, beams, rectangular shaped beams, pyramids,
and tents
Prerequisite:
- Knowledge of shapes.
- Basic addition skills.
- Basic knowledge of gravity.
Exploration Phase
Objectives: Students will discover geometric shapes
can be used for support.
Materials:
- Already made from construction paper:
- Tent shape
- Rectangle
- Cylinder
- Text Book
Introduction of Lesson: Focus the students' attention
by showing shapes and asking which shape they think will hold
the textbook.
Procedure:
- Ask students "Which shape will hold the textbook?"
- Listen to their answers and responses.
- Conduct the experiment. Drop the book on each shape individually.
- Ask students "Why they believe this happened?"
- Discuss and have students give examples of geometric shapes
in real life.
Evaluation: Monitor students' involvement in classroom
discussion.
Invention Phase:
Objectives: Student will identify why certain geometric
shapes will hold more weight than others will.
Materials:
Procedure:
- Ask student "What causes the shapes to fall when the
book is set on top of them?"
- After listening to students ideas drop a book on the floor.
- Ask them "What makes the book fall to the ground?"
- Explain that gravity is the force that pulls the book to
the ground. Tell them that gravity is the force that pulls all
objects to the earth.
- Explain that gravity pulls all objects to the earth at the
same speed.
Discuss with the students why some of the geometric shapes
fell faster than others.
- Talk about the support that each shape has. Point out that
the tent shape has only two sides for support, the rectangle
has four sides, and the cylinder has no sides for support. The
weight is distributed evenly.
Evaluation: Monitor students' participation in discussion.
Expansion Phase:
Objective: Demonstrating their knowledge of geometric
shapes the students will construct an efficient model that will
hold a minimum of five pounds.
Materials:
- 1 ft. per group of corrugated paper.
- Construction paper
- 5 inches of masking tape per group
- Pre-weighed textbooks
- Sack full of students' names
- Paper for recording weights
- Pencils
- Calculator
Procedure:
- Explain project to students.
- Draw for partners.
- Allow students to get with their partners.
- Pass out materials
Corrugated paper
Construction paper
Tape
- Ask the differences between the paper.
- Ask student which paper is stronger.
- Show example of corrugated paper fully stretched out.
- Allow students to create their own shape.
- Test students' shapes by applying weights.
- Have students total the weight that their shape held.
- Allow students to check their addition with a calculator.
- Announce whose shape held the most weight.
- Have the students whose shape held the most explain their
design.
- Ask students "Why is geometry important in our lives?"
Evaluation:
- Monitor students' interaction with one another.
- Evaluate students' use of knowledge in construction of their
shapes and check to see if they will hold a minimum of five pounds.