Grade Level:
                        3rd and 4th Grade

Subjects:

     Math, Technology

Learner Outcomes:

• The student will identify geometric shapes as found in quilt patterns.
• The student will fit shapes together to determine tessellation.
• The student will slide, rotate, or flip shapes to form designs.
• The student will find the area of a  quilt.
• The student will determine the perimeter of a quilt border.

     Three 45 minute class periods

Materials:

• Geoboards
• Rubber bands
• Reproducible sheet of shapes
• Geometric shapes for use on overhead projector
• Activity sheet:  Sketch a Pattern
• Examples of quilts made with squares
• An example of a quilt with a border
• Measuring tapes, yard sticks, and/or rulers
• Activity sheet:  Area and Perimeter

• IBM Basic Skills Software:  Exploring Mathematics with Manipulative - Level II  (or similar software)
• Overhead Projector
• Multi-media Computers

• Collect quilt examples showing block design for teaching area.
• An example of a quilt showing a border for explaining perimeter

First Period

1. The teacher will display geometric shapes on the overhead projector.
2. The student will identify shapes by comparing sides, corners, and vertices.
3. The student will use geoboards for hands-on experiences in identifying shapes.
4. The student will view quilt patterns by logging onto the computer.  (At bottom of the page, click on:  back to quilting page.)   Teacher may want to bookmark site.
5. The student will relate shapes to different patterns found in quilts.

1. The teacher will introduce vocabulary word, tessellation as shapes that fit together without any spaces in-between.  The regular repetition of such shapes is called tiling.
2. The teacher will give each student a reproduced sheet of geometric shapes to cut out.
3. Working in pairs, the students will fit the shapes together to form a pattern without any spaces in-between.  Note:  Squares, rectangles, triangles, and hexagons tessellate where octagons, circles, and most pentagons don't.
4. The student will explore how quilt designs are related to tessellation by finding examples of quilt patterns that tessellate.
5. Students will share findings with whole group.  Which shapes work?  Which shapes do not?  How are quilt designs related to tessellation?
6. Using a reproducible sheet, the student will sketch a tessellating design, using slides, flips, and rotations.

1. Using IBM Basic Skills software:  Exploring Mathematics with Manipulatives - Level II, "Patterns and Shapes," the student will investigate mathematical concepts of geometric shapes, such as slides, flips, rotations, and symmetry. Using an example of an actual quilt, such as the postage stamp quilt, the student will determine area using the formula of length x width = area.
2. Using an example of an actual quilt that has a border, the student will determine its perimeter.
3. The student will assess prior knowledge in completing the activity sheet:  Identifying Length/Identifying Perimeter/ Identifying Area. (Area and Perimeter Sheet)

     The teacher will pair students with higher level math skills with those needing assistance.

Enrichment Activities:

• The student will log onto an Internet site to view tessellation by Escher.
• Visit math quilt site:  http://members.aol.com/mathquilt

• Teacher observation of student responses to questions throughout lesson
• Completion of tessellation activity sheet
• Completion of activity sheet on identifying length, perimeter, and area.
• Completion of "Patterns and Shapes" software
• Use of geoboards to illustrate understanding of shapes

     Math

• Geometry and Spatial Sense - 3.25, 3.33, 3.34,.3.36, 4.39
• Measurement - 4.42, 4.43
• Computer Technology - 3.49, 4.50

     Math

• Concepts of Geometry
• Concepts of Measurement

• Use of Computer Software Programs

Quilt Patterns Site:  http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/a/x/axd2/qlt1.html
Math quilt Site:  http://members.aol.com/mathquilt
Escher Tessellation Site:  http://www.worldofEscher.com
IBM Basic Skills Software:  Exploring Mathematics with Manipulatives - Level II

Created By:

    Janet Mundell
    Mary DeBalski
    Cathy Lennon

Pleasant Valley Elementary
 
 
 
 

LESSON 1

LESSON 2

LESSON 3

LESSON 4