Geometry
and Spatial Sense
This week we covered Geometry and Spatial Sense. What
I enjoy about this unit of mathematics is trying to figure out what shapes can
come together to build new shapes. We got to work with 7 geometric shapes and
we were to try to build other shapes using any or all of the shapes. The
challenge was to find up to 7 different ways to build these shapes, which was a
fun way to challenge the class, due to the nature of the activity being a
challenge.
Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/p-155306/?no_redirect
NCTM Isometric Drawing Tool is one of the Great
Games that we were to explore this week. The tool allows you to build 2-D and
3-D shapes. It provides you with tools that allow you to draw figures using
cubes, faces and edges. This would be a great resource for younger grades that
are being introduced to geometry. The link provides you with clear instructions
on what to do on the grid, and which tools can be used for different purposes. If
you go to the “Exploration” tab, there are 3 different images you can create
using faces or edges. Personally, I preferred using edges when trying to create
these shapes. Overall, this is a great beginners resource for students to learn
how to create and draw different shapes. You can explore this tool as well by clicking on the following link:
Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/en/cubes-impossible-geometry-161964/
One of the presenters came up with a Bus Route activity, where students had to find different bus routes to their destination point, as well as spot the parallel and perpendicular lines using the math provided on the handout. This activity serves as a double lesson. While teaching students about parallel and perpendicular lines using real life streets, you are also teaching students how to take different bus routes for those students who may rely on the bus for transportation. The following image is not from the activity, though it resembles part of what we were looking for in terms of parallel and perpendicular lines.
Another activity we worked on at our seats was a Mario Mirrors
Handout. I really enjoyed this activity, particularly because I enjoy drawing. However,
I completely forgot about the math tool, miras. We had these tools in my elementary
school for this unit. It was refreshing seeing different math tools being used
as the presentations continue. I thought that this was a fun way to get the
audience engaged. We all had to complete Part A which was finding the line of
symmetry in the shapes provided. Once that was complete, we could move on to
Part B which had 9 Mario images. We were to draw the half of the image that was
missing, whether freehand or with the miras. If you got through both sections
in a timely fashion, there was a bonus section where you could draw the other
half of Mario himself. I like how the presenter acknowledged the fact that some
people are right-handed, while others are left-handed, therefore creating
handouts that suited both writers. Once the class was finished with their
worksheets, the teacher presenter called for volunteers to approach the
whiteboard, where they were to complete the mirror image of the incomplete images.
The way the presenter set up the whiteboard was as if it was a level in a Mario
game. I thought this was engaging for students because many students at the elementary
age seem to enjoy playing video games. Therefore, this activity demonstrates
how you can make this unit of math fun for students, and have them engaged in
the activity.
JD Hancock. (July 21 2012). Super Blast Mario. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdhancock/7629235266/in/photolist-cCaPR5-et81BA-tcP96D-q9SZza-4FcEsG-4FcEkQ-5S5u7E-dXEcWi-5S5u9Q-7SvZ3M-aVmZ2r-4Hwo86-9RvFkK-qFAsAA-4FcEM5-a4iHmx-5nWUNx-9gztNU-6oTkEy-qNetYS-qLnQNH-pSrhGC-g5GSa-8ZQ4Bz-9j17xH-4HABEj-abh4j6-et81dA-5xviQr-nKP7Jo-a1U5hT-4QWaEQ-5bypdv-pM2Syx-a8K4cL-a2u2Wa-4StQAb-frwyY3-8axuPD-9MNEAs-4dMyLv-c3xpD-33yijA-qHqRCH-4W1UWj-8HaM65-ztKpB-mg5MR6-cPKZyd-ogUi5g
No comments:
Post a Comment