Pattern Block Fun: Covering Designs!

Math Grades 1st Grade 6:09 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about shapes and how we can use them to cover designs in different ways! We'll use pattern blocks to create cool pictures and discover how shapes fit together.

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #42 Covering A Design In Multiple Ways

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 6:09
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Shapes
  • Patterns
  • Composing Shapes
  • Different Ways to Cover a Design

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and name different pattern block shapes (triangle, rhombus, trapezoid, hexagon).
  • Students will be able to cover a design using pattern blocks in multiple ways.
  • Students will be able to recognize that different combinations of shapes can cover the same area.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by reviewing different shapes with students. Ask them to name shapes they know and describe their attributes (e.g., a triangle has three sides). Show examples of pattern blocks and name each one: triangle, rhombus, trapezoid, and hexagon. Explain that they will be using these shapes to create designs.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play the YouTube video "Grade 1: Math Lesson #42 Covering A Design In Multiple Ways". Encourage students to watch carefully how the teacher uses pattern blocks to cover the fish designs in different ways. Ask them to pay attention to how different shapes can be combined to fill the same space.
  • Design Time! (15 mins)
    Provide each student with a worksheet containing outlines of simple shapes (e.g., a fish, a house, a flower). Give them pattern blocks and instruct them to cover the design using different combinations of shapes. Encourage them to find multiple ways to cover the same design. After they cover the design, they should trace around the shapes they used and color them in!
  • Share and Discuss (10 mins)
    Have students share their designs with the class. Ask them to explain which shapes they used and how they found different ways to cover the same design. Discuss how different shapes can be combined to create the same area.

Interactive Exercises

  • Shape Hunt
    Hide pattern blocks around the room. Have students find the blocks and then use them to build a specific shape (e.g., 'Can you make a hexagon using only triangles?').
  • Pattern Block Puzzles
    Provide students with simple puzzles that require them to use pattern blocks to fill in missing spaces.

Discussion Questions

  • What shapes did you use in your design?
  • Did anyone find more than one way to cover their design? What shapes did you use each time?
  • Can you use only one type of shape to cover the whole design? Which one(s)?
  • How many triangles does it take to make a trapezoid?

Skills Developed

  • Shape Recognition
  • Spatial Reasoning
  • Problem Solving
  • Creative Thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which shape has 3 sides?

Correct Answer: Triangle

Question 2:

What color is the hexagon pattern block in the video?

Correct Answer: Yellow

Question 3:

Which of these is NOT a pattern block shape?

Correct Answer: Square

Question 4:

How many triangles can make a rhombus?

Correct Answer: Two

Question 5:

What did the teacher make designs of in the video?

Correct Answer: Fish

Question 6:

Which color pattern block did the teacher color first?

Correct Answer: Red

Question 7:

A trapezoid is made up of a rhombus and a ____?

Correct Answer: Triangle

Question 8:

How many sides does a hexagon have?

Correct Answer: 6

Question 9:

Which shape has four sides that are all the same length?

Correct Answer: Square

Question 10:

Which shape has 4 sides and 4 corners?

Correct Answer: Rhombus

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A ________ has three sides.

Correct Answer: triangle

Question 2:

Two triangles can make a ________.

Correct Answer: rhombus

Question 3:

The yellow pattern block is a ________.

Correct Answer: hexagon

Question 4:

The red pattern block is a ________.

Correct Answer: trapezoid

Question 5:

We can use ________ to cover a design.

Correct Answer: shapes

Question 6:

There are different _____ to cover a design.

Correct Answer: ways

Question 7:

The teacher was making designs with ____.

Correct Answer: fish

Question 8:

The small green shapes are called ______.

Correct Answer: triangles

Question 9:

A _______ has six sides.

Correct Answer: hexagon

Question 10:

A design can be covered by multiple _____.

Correct Answer: shapes

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.2:Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape. (Students do not need to learn formal names such as "right rectangular prism.") CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.1:Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes.

Teaching Materials

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