Shapin' Up in Second Grade Math

As an introduction to geometry, students explored geo-blocks.  Students learned how to count faces on a block and to make 3 dimensional drawings.

In this activity, students first cut out different shaped rectangles.  They ordered the rectangles from smallest to biggest.  All of the students thought the longest and skinniest rectangle was the "biggest".   Then they tested their predictions by covering each rectangle with small squares. Surprisingly, the rectangle that was the biggest, or the one which held the most squares was NOT the long and skinny one!   Students were also very surprised to discover that some rectangles that didn't look exactly the same held the same number of squares!

"We are learning about symmetry.  We used pattern blocks.  Then we put up a mirror to see the reflection.  If you look in the mirror, now you see a reflection of the blocks!  It's so cool!!"

A student took a close up picture of this pattern block design.   We talked about how once you put up the mirror/line of symmetry, the design is doubled.  Of course we thought of math problems as we did this activity!