Polygon Explorers: Unlocking the Secrets of Shapes!

Mathematics Grades 4th Grade 7:27 Video
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Lesson Description

Embark on a geometric adventure to discover what makes a shape a polygon! Learn about sides, vertices, angles, and more with Math Antics!

Video Resource

Math Antics - Polygons

mathantics

Duration: 7:27
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Definition of a polygon: a multi-sided, closed, 2D shape.
  • Parts of a polygon: sides, vertices, and angles.
  • Distinguishing polygons from non-polygons.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define a polygon and identify its key components (sides, vertices, angles).
  • Students will be able to differentiate between polygons and non-polygons based on the properties of being closed and 2-dimensional.
  • Students will be able to classify polygons based on the number of sides they have (triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, octagon).

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about shapes. Show common examples of polygons (square, triangle, etc.) and ask students to identify what makes them similar. Introduce the video 'Math Antics - Polygons' and explain they will learn more about these shapes.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the 'Math Antics - Polygons' video. Instruct students to pay attention to the definition of a polygon, its parts, and how to differentiate between polygons and non-polygons.
  • Discussion and Review (10 mins)
    After the video, have a class discussion to review the key concepts. Use the discussion questions provided to guide the conversation. Write important vocabulary on the board (polygon, side, vertex, angle, closed, 2D, triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, octagon).
  • Interactive Exercise: Polygon or Not a Polygon? (10 mins)
    Engage students in the 'Polygon or Not a Polygon?' activity. Draw shapes on the board, or use pre-prepared cards, and have students vote on whether each shape is a polygon or not. Encourage them to explain their reasoning based on what they learned from the video.
  • Classification Activity (10 mins)
    Provide students with worksheets containing various polygons. Ask them to classify the polygons based on the number of sides, identifying triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons.
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (5 mins)
    Review the main points of the lesson and answer any remaining questions. Administer the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank quizzes to assess student understanding.

Interactive Exercises

  • Polygon Sort
    Provide students with a collection of various shapes (cut out of paper or drawn). Have them sort the shapes into two groups: Polygons and Not Polygons. They should explain their reasoning for each shape.
  • Real-World Polygon Hunt
    Have students look around the classroom and identify real-world objects that are polygons. Discuss the shapes they find and what type of polygon they are.

Discussion Questions

  • What is a polygon in your own words?
  • What are the three main parts of a polygon?
  • What does it mean for a shape to be 'closed'?
  • How can you tell if a shape is NOT a polygon?
  • Can you name some different types of polygons based on the number of sides they have?

Skills Developed

  • Shape recognition and identification
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Geometric vocabulary and understanding
  • Classification and categorization

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of these is NOT a part of a polygon?

Correct Answer: Curves

Question 2:

What does it mean for a shape to be 'closed'?

Correct Answer: It has no gaps.

Question 3:

Which of these shapes is a polygon?

Correct Answer: Square

Question 4:

A polygon with 3 sides is called a:

Correct Answer: Triangle

Question 5:

A polygon with 4 sides is called a:

Correct Answer: Quadrilateral

Question 6:

A polygon with 5 sides is called a:

Correct Answer: Pentagon

Question 7:

A polygon with 6 sides is called a:

Correct Answer: Hexagon

Question 8:

A polygon with 8 sides is called a:

Correct Answer: Octagon

Question 9:

Polygons are which of the following?

Correct Answer: 2D Shapes

Question 10:

Which of these real world shapes is NOT a polygon?

Correct Answer: Soccer Ball

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A ________ is a multi-sided shape.

Correct Answer: polygon

Question 2:

The points where the sides of a polygon meet are called ________.

Correct Answer: vertices

Question 3:

Polygons must be ________ shapes, meaning they have no gaps.

Correct Answer: closed

Question 4:

Polygons are flat, or ____-dimensional shapes.

Correct Answer: 2

Question 5:

A 3-sided polygon is called a ________.

Correct Answer: triangle

Question 6:

A 4-sided polygon is called a ________.

Correct Answer: quadrilateral

Question 7:

A 5-sided polygon is called a ________.

Correct Answer: pentagon

Question 8:

A 6-sided polygon is called a ________.

Correct Answer: hexagon

Question 9:

A shape cannot be a polygon if it has any ________ sides.

Correct Answer: curved

Question 10:

All polygons have ________, verticies, and angles.

Correct Answer: sides

Educational Standards

4.GM.1:Name, describe, classify, and construct polygons and three-dimensional figures based on their attributes; recognize polygons and three-dimensional figures in real-life and mathematical situations. 4.GM.1.1:Identify points, lines, line segments, rays, angles, endpoints, and parallel and perpendicular lines in various models.

Teaching Materials

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Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz
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