Geometry for Junior Grades
Geometry is a term that can be intimidating for some students in math class, but there are ways to clear up some of the confusion. By working your way up through stages such as visualization, analysis, and deduction, geometry thinking can become clear for junior students.
Symmetry
We see shapes everywhere and most children learn to identify different shapes in early childhood. The next step is to identify symmetry in shapes.
A great way to introduce symmetry in shapes is to start with paper. Give students a collection of different shapes that are cut out on pieces of paper and then ask them to fold their shapes evenly in half. Once the shapes are folded, ask the students if both sides are even.
When they have established an evenly split shape with their paper, explain to them that the crease down the middle is identified as the "line of symmetry". The line of symmetry is the point where the shape is reflective and shows a mirror image of the shape when it's cut in half.
This exercise gives students a physical example to work with in order to understand the concept of symmetry in shapes. The use of manipulatives such as paper shapes will help visual and kinesthetic learners to see and create lines of symmetry on their own in a way that is easy to see.
Triangles
I found this chart to be very helpful. It is a great visual tool for identifying types of triangles. It would make for a useful handout to give your students, or would even be good to post up in the classroom.
The Greedy Triangle
Here is a fantastic resource to use in the classroom to teach triangles to young students. The picture story book The Greedy Triangle is a fun story that identifies different types of triangles and gives examples of places where students see these triangles in everyday life. This would be a great way to spike interest during a geometry math lesson. Take a look at the video below to see the story.
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE0yle-z5uE&feature=youtu.be
Curriculum Connections
With the math curriculum in mind, these resources correspond with grade 4 requirements.
The Grade 4 Specific Expectations for Geometric Properties (page 71) are as follows:
- draw the lines of symmetry of two dimensional shapes, through investigation using a variety of tools (e.g., Mira, grid paper) and strategies (e.g., paper folding) (Sample problem: Use paper folding to compare the symmetry of a rectangle with the symmetry of a square.)
- identify and compare different types of quadrilaterals (i.e., rectangle, square, trapezoid, parallelogram, rhombus) and sort and classify them by their geometric properties (e.g.,sides of equal length; parallel sides; symmetry; number of right angles)
- identify benchmark angles (i.e., straight angle, right angle, half a right angle), using a reference tool (e.g., paper and fasteners, pattern blocks, straws), and compare other angles to these benchmarks (e.g., “The angle the door makes with the wall is smaller than a right angle but greater than half a right angle.”) (Sample problem: Use paper folding to create benchmarks for a straight angle,a right angle,and half a right angle, and use these benchmarks to describe angles found in pattern blocks.)
- relate the names of the benchmark angles to their measures in degrees (e.g., a right angle is 90ยบ)
Symmetry
We see shapes everywhere and most children learn to identify different shapes in early childhood. The next step is to identify symmetry in shapes.
 |
| Retrieved from https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-is-symmetry |
A great way to introduce symmetry in shapes is to start with paper. Give students a collection of different shapes that are cut out on pieces of paper and then ask them to fold their shapes evenly in half. Once the shapes are folded, ask the students if both sides are even.
When they have established an evenly split shape with their paper, explain to them that the crease down the middle is identified as the "line of symmetry". The line of symmetry is the point where the shape is reflective and shows a mirror image of the shape when it's cut in half.
This exercise gives students a physical example to work with in order to understand the concept of symmetry in shapes. The use of manipulatives such as paper shapes will help visual and kinesthetic learners to see and create lines of symmetry on their own in a way that is easy to see.
Triangles
I found this chart to be very helpful. It is a great visual tool for identifying types of triangles. It would make for a useful handout to give your students, or would even be good to post up in the classroom.
 |
| Retrieved from http://moziru.com/explore/Triangle%20clipart%20classification/ |
The Greedy Triangle
Here is a fantastic resource to use in the classroom to teach triangles to young students. The picture story book The Greedy Triangle is a fun story that identifies different types of triangles and gives examples of places where students see these triangles in everyday life. This would be a great way to spike interest during a geometry math lesson. Take a look at the video below to see the story.
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE0yle-z5uE&feature=youtu.be
Curriculum Connections
With the math curriculum in mind, these resources correspond with grade 4 requirements.
The Grade 4 Specific Expectations for Geometric Properties (page 71) are as follows:
- draw the lines of symmetry of two dimensional shapes, through investigation using a variety of tools (e.g., Mira, grid paper) and strategies (e.g., paper folding) (Sample problem: Use paper folding to compare the symmetry of a rectangle with the symmetry of a square.)
- identify and compare different types of quadrilaterals (i.e., rectangle, square, trapezoid, parallelogram, rhombus) and sort and classify them by their geometric properties (e.g.,sides of equal length; parallel sides; symmetry; number of right angles)
- identify benchmark angles (i.e., straight angle, right angle, half a right angle), using a reference tool (e.g., paper and fasteners, pattern blocks, straws), and compare other angles to these benchmarks (e.g., “The angle the door makes with the wall is smaller than a right angle but greater than half a right angle.”) (Sample problem: Use paper folding to create benchmarks for a straight angle,a right angle,and half a right angle, and use these benchmarks to describe angles found in pattern blocks.)
- relate the names of the benchmark angles to their measures in degrees (e.g., a right angle is 90ยบ)
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