Shapes & Sizes

Creating designs out of pattern blocks—those multicolored trapezoids, hexagons, and triangles that are a mainstay in most classrooms—is a great way for children to build geometric thinking. While playing Animal Puzzles, a pattern block game, children also explore rotations and reflections, thus building their spatial skills. Building with pattern blocks is all about putting things together and then taking them apart. These activities help children see the world as being made up of shapes and also prepares them for later mathematical ideas.

The best part about this activity? It is designed with a wide range of students in mind, from children who are just practicing placing the blocks to those who can complete a challenging puzzle on their own. 

Don't have the pattern blocks at home? Try these virtual pattern blocks.

Skills practiced: geometric reasoning, building patterns, naming shapes                 

The lessons that I remember the most when I was in elementary school involved the teacher using real objects to teach a concept. You can be really creative when teaching topics like geometry, measurement, graphing, addition…..just about any math topic. Try using a pumpkin to teach addition using this lesson using Pumpkins or use  other real items to solve a word problem.                                           

What you need:

Theme Park templates (for guidance)
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue or tape
String
Markers or crayons
Small toys (optional)

Description:

This project is perfect for a math class that is learning about geometry and measurement. Students will use their knowledge of shapes, angles, and measurements to create a mini theme park.

They can start by choosing a template (or creating their own) and then cutting out the shapes from construction paper. Once they have all the pieces, they can assemble their theme park and add details with markers or crayons.

They can also add small toys to their theme park if they wish. Finally, they can measure the area and perimeter of their creation.

Children can dream up new rides, give them outlandish names, create menus for concession stands, and research healthy and junk foods!

A lot of math happens in everyday life if we just look for it.

Skills Learned: Geometry, measurement, area, perimeter

What you need:
Hot cocoa stall
Marshmallows
Whipped cream (optional)
Chocolate shavings (optional)
Mugs
Recipe book
Play money or real money

Description:
An excellent activity for young entrepreneurs (under adult supervision), this hot cocoa project simulates a hot cocoa stand. Students can make and sell hot cocoa to their friends and family, using real or play money. They can follow a recipe to make the hot cocoa mix, and then use it to make individual cups of hot cocoa. They can also add marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings to their hot cocoa, and charge extra for these toppings. This activity is a great way to teach children about money, measurement, and fractions. And they’ll love getting creative with the hot cocoa mix!

Skills Learned: Money, measurement, fractions, addition, subtraction

WeAreTeachers: Creative Pi Day Activities

Celebrate March 14th (Pi Day) with hands-on, playful math! This curated collection features teacher-tested activities that bring the mathematical constant \pi\  to life. From measuring round household items to uncover the constant ratio of circumference to diameter, to creating "Pi Skyline" artwork based on its digits, these projects turn circle geometry, ratio exploration, and numerical patterns into an exciting family celebration.

Skill Highlight: Circle Geometry, Circumference & Diameter Ratios, Number Patterns, Steam Art Integration