Lesson 1

Title: Scraps of Geometry

Grade Level:  7

Subject: Mathematics

Learner Outcomes:

 

• Students will develop and strengthen their spatial abilities.
• Students will identify common geometric shapes such as triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons and octagons.
• Students will learn about lines of symmetry.
• Students will identify parallel and perpendicular lines.

Materials: construction paper, scissors, glue, rulers, pencil, unlined sketch paper

Technology Tools/Courseware:  computer, internet

Teacher Notes:

• Acceptable Use Policy
• Optional:  Teachers may instruct students to use the computer to design quilt squares or heat bonding and fabric..

    1.  Ask students the day before to bring in samples of quilting.
    2.  Look at each sample or quilt and discuss the shapes, colors and patterns in each.
    3.  Discuss mathematical concepts such as parallel lines, perpendicular lines and lines of symmetry.
    4.  Take students to the computer lab.  In the computer lab students will log onto a site featuring an Archive of Patchwork Quilts.  Here they will spend some time browsing.
    5.  After spending some time looking at several types of quilts students will sketch two to three of their favorites and will identify on their sketches lines of symmetry and types of shapes used in the pattern.
    6.  When students finish, let students investigate shapes and patterns by giving them only squares and triangles.
    7.  Demonstrate how to cut a square in half to make two triangles.
    8.  Distribute 3 inch triangles to all students have them investigate the shape that can be made.  Tell students that sides touching each other must be the same length. (There are three possibilities- square, triangle and parallelogram)
    9.  Divide students into small groups and give each group several three inch squares.  Have groups investigate the shapes that can be made.
    10.  Groups should tape together shapes as they are made.
    11. In the classroom post a large sheet of paper titled Polygons.  On the paper have an area designated for Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Pentagons, and Hexagons.
    12.  Ask students to sort the shapes according to the number of sides.
    13.  After completing the shape and pattern investigation, give students an abundance of squares in two colors of the students choice. (See teacher notes for other options for doing this lesson.)
    14.  Students will arrange these squares into an original pattern and glue them onto a 9x9 quilt square.
    15.  Students will name the square and will write the name somewhere on the square.
    16.  Encourage students to be creative and add designs with markers using lines, dots etc.

Modifications:

    -Students with physical handicaps or difficulty in cutting may use precut materials or have a student "buddy".

Enrichment Activities:

    1.  Students can expand their single square to make and entire paper quilt of several squares.
    2.  Students could do a report on the history of quilting.

Evaluation/Assessment:

    1.  Completion of computer lab sketches.
    2.  Observation of group work.
    3.  Completion of quilt square pattern.

West Virginia Standards:     7.34, 7.35, 7.37 ,7.44

National Standards:

                               NM.5-8.1 PROBLEM SOLVING
                               NM.5-8.2 COMMUNICATION
                               NM.5-8.3 REASONING
                               NM.5-8.4 CONNECTIONS
                               NM.5-8.8 PATTERNS AND FUNCTION
                               NM.5-8.12 GEOMETRY
                               NM.5-8.13 MEASUREMENT

References: Archive of Patchwork Quilts

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