Fun with Polygons

1
Fun with Polygons

• 3rd or 4th grade
• Shaun Etu

2
Objectives

• I want my students to be able to become familiar
  with the definition of a polygon. I will not make
  my students know an exact and precise definition,
  but just a general description.
• A polygon has straight side with no openings or
  curves in it. I would like my students to be able
  to identify a polygon when it is presented to
  them.

3
Cont

• I would like for my students to become familiar
  with the different names of the polygons, such as
  triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, etc.
• Also, as part of this unit I would like them to
  be able to associate how many sides make up a
  certain polygon. I would like them to receive
  practice for 3rd grade New York State math exam.

4
Cont.

• A digital camera will be used so the students
  will be able to take photographs of polygons.
• The students will be asked to take pictures of
  real-life items around the school that represent
  the idea of a polygon, such as a piece of paper,
  exit signs, and stop signs.

5
Cont

• Also, the students will be asked daily to
  demonstrate their understanding of a polygon on a
  Paint program.
• They will be asked to go into Paint and draw
  their own polygons. At the end of the lesson I
  will give the students a list of polygons that
  they will have to demonstrate for me on the Paint
  program.

6
Cont.

• I will also give the students pre-approved
  websites that they will look at in order to
  become familiar with the polygons.
• They will be put into small groups and asked to
  use the websites properly and efficiently.

7
Intro to Learning

• I will begin the unit by asking the students if
  they have any idea of what a polygon is. After I
  ask the initial question I will begin to tell the
  students that polygons are all around them in the
  classroom.
• I will use different examples throughout the room
  in order to catch the students attention.

8
Cont

• . I will then bring up the idea of what a polygon
  is. After I do this I will explain to the
  students that we will be traveling around the
  school and taking different photographs of what a
  polygon is.
• This will grab the students attention because
  they will be excited that they get to leave the
  classroom for part of the unit.
• I will then explain to them that they will also
  be using the Paint program, which I will give an
  introduction on how to use.

9
Provide Information

• I will bring the entire classroom to the
  computer lab where I will give the students the
  first website I have for them. http//www.mathsisf
  un.com/geometry/polygons.html
• This will allow each student to be able to see
  first hand what an actual polygon is.

10
Cont.

• I will read allowed the definition that is
  provided on the website. Also I will view with
  the students examples of each type of polygon.
• I will show the students how many sides each of
  the polygons have. While we are at the computer
  lab I will also demonstrate how to use the Paint
  program.
• I will have the students mimic different polygons
  that are on the website provided.

11
Provide Practice

• The students will be given a worksheet every
  night for homework that will focus on a different
  type of polygon.
• The first night I will give them the triangle and
  then each night provide a different type of
  polygon to work on.

12
Cont

• Also the students will have plenty of practice
  while they are working on the computer.
• I will allow the students to use Paint everyday
  in order to become prepared for the final quiz at
  the end of the lesson.

13
Cont..

• As a class we will go around the school/school
  grounds taking photographs of different polygons
  we see in everyday life.
• Since it is Halloween time I will go out and buy
  some pumpkins. I will split the class into small
  groups and we will carve out the pumpkins (under
  adult supervision).

14
Cont

• The catch to this is the eyes, nose, and the
  mouth will have to be a type of polygon that we
  have learned in class.
• This will get the class hands on into the
  activity and make them remember their polygons.

15
Cont

• I will also give the students a pre-approved
  website.
• http//www.mathcats.com/explore/polygonplayg
  round.html
• This website will allow the students to have fun
  be making pictures and examining the different
  types of polygons.

16
Provide Knowledge

• I will go around while the students are working
  on their Paint program and ask them if they are
  having any trouble with any of the polygons.
• I will take one on one time with the students
  who are having trouble.

17
Cont

• I will grade the students homework sheets every
  night, so they will have the proper feedback the
  next day during class.
• They will be able to ask me questions about what
  they missed.

18
Review

• Before we have the quiz at the end of the unit I
  will give each student a hand out of the polygons
  on the quiz.
• This will allow them to become prepared for the
  quiz and know what to expect.

19
Cont

• I will also play a quick game with the students
  during class to get them prepared for the quiz at
  the end.
• Jeopardy I will put on the board different
  categories that they students will be able to
  pick.

20
Cont

• From these categories I will decide a question.
  This will allow the students to have fun while we
  are reviewing for the quiz.
• Also I will open the floor to questions after I
  am done with the game. I will answer any
  questions or concerns the students have.

21
Method of Assessment

• The first method of assessment I will use will be
  a quiz on a Paint program. I will give the
  students a list of polygons at the end of the
  unit and I will expect them to be able to draw
  out each of the polygons using paint.

22
Cont

• I will be giving the students worksheets to take
  home throughout the lesson to give them
  practice outside of the classroom.
• I will grade each of the small groups pumpkins to
  make sure that they followed the instructions and
  used only polygons.