Pattern Block Fun: Covering Designs and Counting Shapes!

Math Grades 1st Grade 7:11 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's explore shapes! We'll use pattern blocks to cover designs, sort the shapes, and count how many we use. Get ready for some shape-tastic fun!

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson # 59 Cover A Design With Pattern Blocks; Sorting, Counting And Recording Blocks

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 7:11
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Key Concepts

  • Shapes
  • Sorting
  • Counting
  • Addition
  • Design Covering

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to cover a design using pattern blocks.
  • Students will be able to sort the pattern blocks by shape.
  • Students will be able to count the number of each shape used.
  • Students will be able to add the number of each shape to find the total number of shapes used.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by showing students the video. Explain that they will be learning about covering designs with pattern blocks, sorting the shapes, and counting how many they use.
  • Shape Exploration (10 mins)
    Provide students with pattern blocks (triangles, squares, trapezoids, hexagons, rhombuses). Let them explore the shapes and talk about their names and features (sides, corners).
  • Covering Designs (15 mins)
    Give students a simple design (e.g., a rectangle, a triangle) or have them create their own on a piece of paper. Instruct them to cover the design completely using pattern blocks. Encourage them to try different combinations of shapes.
  • Sorting and Counting (15 mins)
    Once the designs are covered, have students sort the pattern blocks they used by shape. Then, guide them to count how many of each shape they used and record the numbers on a simple chart (e.g., Shape: Triangle, Number: 4).
  • Total Shapes (10 mins)
    Explain the concept of 'total'. Have students add up the number of each shape to find the total number of shapes used to cover the design. Model how to write the addition equation (e.g., 4 + 2 + 1 = 7).
  • Repeat and Experiment (10 mins)
    Encourage students to cover the same design in different ways and repeat the sorting, counting, and adding process. Discuss how the total number of shapes might change depending on the shapes used.

Interactive Exercises

  • Pattern Block Challenge
    Give students a specific number of each shape and challenge them to cover a design using only those shapes.
  • Shape Swap
    Have students cover a design and then swap one shape for another to see how it affects the total number of shapes.

Discussion Questions

  • What are the names of the different shapes we are using?
  • Can you cover the same design using different shapes? How?
  • What does 'total' mean?
  • Can you find the shape with the most sides?
  • How many sides does a triangle have?

Skills Developed

  • Shape recognition
  • Sorting skills
  • Counting skills
  • Addition skills
  • Problem-solving
  • Fine motor skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which shape has 3 sides?

Correct Answer: Triangle

Question 2:

What do we do when we sort shapes?

Correct Answer: Put the same shapes together

Question 3:

What does 'total' mean?

Correct Answer: All the shapes together

Question 4:

Which shape has six sides?

Correct Answer: Hexagon

Question 5:

If you have 2 triangles and 1 square, how many shapes do you have in total?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 6:

What color is the hexagon shape?

Correct Answer: Yellow

Question 7:

Which of these is NOT a pattern block shape?

Correct Answer: Circle

Question 8:

If you have 3 triangles, how many more do you need to have 5?

Correct Answer: 2

Question 9:

Which pattern block looks like a diamond?

Correct Answer: Rhombus

Question 10:

We put ________ shapes together when we sort.

Correct Answer: Same

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A ________ has 3 sides.

Correct Answer: triangle

Question 2:

When we sort, we put shapes that are the ________ together.

Correct Answer: same

Question 3:

The ________ is the number of shapes all together.

Correct Answer: total

Question 4:

A _________ has 6 sides.

Correct Answer: hexagon

Question 5:

A shape that looks like a diamond is called a ________.

Correct Answer: rhombus

Question 6:

We can ________ a design with shapes.

Correct Answer: cover

Question 7:

When we put two triangles together they can make a _________.

Correct Answer: rhombus

Question 8:

The color of the yellow pattern block is __________.

Correct Answer: yellow

Question 9:

Sorting helps us put things in _________.

Correct Answer: order

Question 10:

Adding is like putting numbers _________.

Correct Answer: together

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. CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.C.4:Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how many in each category, and how many more or less are in one category than in another. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

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