Title:  Everyday Polygons

Grade Level(s): 6, 7

Subject: Mathematics, Reading & Language, and Technology

Learner Outcomes: The students will develop a particular or favorite way to identify geometric shapes. They will know that a polygon is a multi-sided shape with sides that are straight line segments that are named for the number of sides they have. They will understand that life is full of geometric shapes both naturally and intentionally. They then will learn the names that go with the number of sides up to 12.

Duration of Lesson: Five 50 minute class Periods

Materials: Textbook, pattern blocks, overhead geoboard dot paper, overhead pens, overhead geoboard, rubber bands, pencil, geoboard dot paper, rulers, and computer web pages.

Technology Tools:

• Courseware
• Internet accessible computers.

Safety and/ or health factors:

• Students will be monitored to make sure they only go to approved web sites.

Special Requirements:

• Check out pattern blocks from math lab. Run off geoboard dot paper.

Procedures:

1. Read the story "The Greedy Triangle" by Marilyn Burns to the students. Discuss how the different shapes are found in everyday life.
2. Go over the definition of a polygon. A polygon is a closed "plane" figure bound by three or more straight line segments.  The closed part means that it encloses a space, like a fence around a corral. The "plane" part means it's on a flat surface.
3. Use the overhead to show a triangle, square, and hexagon with pattern blocks. The students will also be given these same pattern blocks to trace on their dot paper.
4. On the overhead draw two lines and ask: Is this a polygon? The answer should be No, because there is not enough sides to  enclose the shape like a corral. Explain, therefore a three sided figure is the lowest number of sides a polygon can have.
5. Then draw a three sided shape where all sides do not connect and ask: Is this a polygon? The answer should be NO, because it is not a closed figure.
6. Discuss what an example of a "plane" is. The top of a desk, the floor, and a glass window are all examples of a "plane " surface.
7. Review the different shapes the triangle in the story became and give the students the formal name of each shape.
8. Examples: 3 sides= triangle, 4 sides= quadrilateral, 5 sides= pentagon, 6 sides= hexagon, 7 sides= heptagon, 8 sides= octagon, 9 sides= nonagon, 10 sides= decagon, 11 sides=undecagon and 12 sides = dodecagon.
9. Have the students working in cooperative pairs to draw on their geoboard dot paper each of the different shapes from 3 to 12 sides. Allow students to come up to the overhead and create their shapes.
10. Allow students to work with pattern blocks to create shapes and form repeating patterns called tesselations. Have students create a story or poem about their tessellation.
11. Test on spelling, definition and recognition of polygons. Answer Sheet

Modifications:

• Students with special needs can use a geoboard and rubber bands if they have difficulty drawing the shapes. They will also have a peer tutor to work with them.
• Special Education or 504 students will follow designated modifications as per IEP or 504 plan.

• Students can research the different names of 4 sided figures called quadrilaterals. They will find the names that are used the most are square (diamond), rectangle, parallelogram, rhombus, and trapezoid. They can see examples of these in the different pattern blocks kits. They can then learn the different requirements that give each quadrilaterals the different names.

Evaluation/ Assessment:

• Student Observation Sheet and Rubric

WV State Standards:
Geometry with Measurement:  MA.6.3.1, MA.6.3.2, MA.6.3.6, MA.6.4.2., MA7.3.3, MA7.3.6
English & Language:  RLA.6.1.2, RLA.6.1.12, RLA.7.1.13
Technology:  TEC.S.2, TEC.6.2.1, TEC.S.5, TEC.6.5.1, and TEC.6.5.2

National Standards:
Math Standards

• Standard 1  Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of geometry

• Standard 1  Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
• Standard 2  Uses the stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing
• Standard 3  Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written compositions

 

• Standard 1  Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software programs

References:
The Solution Site
National Math Standards
West Virginia Math Standards
Discovery School
Personalized Children's Books
The Kid's Page Archive
Enchanted Learning/ Answer Sheet
Tessellate
"The Greedy Triangle" by Marilyn Burns

Student Resources:
Pattern Blocks
The Polygon Playground
Personalized Children's Books
Discovery School
Coolmath.com
Tangrams

Authors: West Middle School
De Morrow, dmorrow@access.k12.wv.us
Mickey Prino, dprino@access.k12.wv.us
Anita Rowe, arowe@access.k12.wv.us

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