Lesson Goals
In this lesson, students will be able to take what they have learned about the characteristics of quadrilaterals and create an art form from it.
These culminating activities will take your absolute disdain for quadrilaterals, and turn it into an undying love filled with movement and visual art.
Materials
The Perfect Square by Michael Hall
Elastic (purchased from a craft store, Walmart, etc)
Quadrilateral (trapezoid, parallelogram, rhombus, rectangle, and square) templates (on construction paper or some other brightly colored paper)
White paper (for students to glue final art work)
Scissors (for each student)
Glue (for each student)
Single hole punch (optional)
Crayons (for each student)
Markers (for each student)
Index cards with each shape written on it
Activities
I. Introduction (human geoboards)
Have students partner up. Give each partner an elastic band. Make sure each band is tight at the knot so that it does not come apart. Give each partner 2 shape cards. Give each group five minutes to create the shape they have been given. The partner that is not holding the elastic band will need to make sure the shape has the appropriate characteristics. Students will then need to figure out how to manipulate their bodies to get from one shape to the next. This can continue for a few rounds depending on the time available in your math block.
II. Read Aloud
Gather students in common read aloud space. Preface the read aloud by telling students they need to think of ways they can change a quadrilateral into something else. Read the text to students.
III. Visual Arts Activity
Have each student choose one of the 5 quadrilaterals they would like to transform into something else. They should brainstorm ideas before they actually tear or cut their shape into another object. When they are ready, students will tear or cut their template into another object. Try to have them brainstorm objects that vary from those listed in the text. They will need to glue it on white paper. Make sure students color the background to have their object make sense. They need to use the entire page.
Differentiation Approaches
1. Teachers will need to be ready to assist any student that has needs during the assignment.
2. ESL students can be given “close” statements to write key terms in the descriptions of their shapes.
3. Extra time should be given to any student that needs it as this assignment could take more than one class period.
Assessment
Have students reflect on how their bodies had to change from one shape to the next. The teacher should look for key terms like length, parallel, perpendicular, square corner, etc. in student’s responses.
Teachers will use the intro page to assess the correctness of listed information from each shape. Again, the teacher should look for key terms like length, parallel, perpendicular, square corner, etc. in student’s responses.
Follow Up and Extension Ideas
Early finishers could assist other students. They could also get another shape template and create another art piece, following the same directions.
Additional Details
- Grade Level: Third
- Arts Content Area: Dance, Visual Arts
- Non-Arts Content Area: English Language Arts, Math
