Shape Detectives: Finding Congruent Shapes!

Math Grades 1st Grade 4:40 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about congruent shapes! Congruent shapes are exactly the same shape and size. We'll explore how to find them and even make our own!

Video Resource

Grade 1: Math Lesson #83 Making Congruent Shapes

The Eagle's Nest - Our Online Classroom

Duration: 4:40
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Congruent shapes are the same shape.
  • Congruent shapes are the same size.
  • Orientation does not change congruence.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define congruent shapes as having the same shape and size.
  • Students will be able to identify congruent shapes from a set of shapes.
  • Students will be able to create a shape congruent to a given shape.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they remember what 'congruent' means. Refer to the video's opening lines. Have students do the action (same shape and same size). Review that congruent means the same shape and the same size.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Show the YouTube video "Grade 1: Math Lesson #83 Making Congruent Shapes". Encourage students to pay close attention to how the teacher and her son create congruent shapes using the geoboard and how she identifies congruent shapes on the worksheet.
  • Geoboard Activity (10 mins)
    If available, provide students with geoboards and rubber bands. Have them create a shape, and then challenge a partner to create a congruent shape on their own geoboard. If geoboards aren't available, students can draw shapes on paper and attempt to replicate each other's drawings to be congruent. Emphasize 'same shape, same size'.
  • Shape Sorting (10 mins)
    Prepare a worksheet with various shapes (squares, triangles, circles, rectangles), some congruent and some not. Have students circle the pairs of shapes that are congruent. Discuss why some shapes are not congruent (different size, different shape).
  • Wrap Up (5 mins)
    Review the definition of congruent shapes. Ask students to give real-world examples of congruent objects they see around them (e.g., tiles on the floor, pages in a book).

Interactive Exercises

  • Congruent Shape Hunt
    Hide pairs of congruent shapes around the classroom. Have students find the matching pairs and explain why they are congruent.
  • Drawing Congruent Shapes
    Draw a simple shape on the board (e.g., a small square). Have each student draw a shape that is congruent to the one on the board. Review to ensure they are the same shape and size.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean for two shapes to be congruent?
  • Can shapes be congruent if they are turned in different directions?
  • Give me an example of something in our classroom that has congruent shapes.

Skills Developed

  • Shape recognition
  • Visual discrimination
  • Spatial reasoning

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does 'congruent' mean?

Correct Answer: Same shape and same size

Question 2:

Which of these shapes is a square?

Correct Answer: (Image of a square)

Question 3:

Are these two shapes congruent?

Correct Answer: Yes

Question 4:

Which of these shapes is bigger?

Correct Answer: (Image of a big square)

Question 5:

If two triangles are congruent, what do you know about them?

Correct Answer: They are the same shape and the same size

Question 6:

Which of these is NOT a shape?

Correct Answer: Apple

Question 7:

Can a small square and a big square be congruent?

Correct Answer: No

Question 8:

A triangle has how many sides?

Correct Answer: 3

Question 9:

Two congruent circles are always the _____ shape and size.

Correct Answer: Same

Question 10:

If you turn a square, is it still a square?

Correct Answer: Yes

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Congruent shapes are the same _____.

Correct Answer: shape

Question 2:

Congruent shapes are the same _____.

Correct Answer: size

Question 3:

A square has _____ sides.

Correct Answer: four

Question 4:

A triangle has _____ sides.

Correct Answer: three

Question 5:

A circle is _____.

Correct Answer: round

Question 6:

If shapes are congruent they look exactly _____.

Correct Answer: alike

Question 7:

Two congruent shapes have to be the same _____.

Correct Answer: shape

Question 8:

Two congruent shapes have to be the same _____.

Correct Answer: size

Question 9:

The opposite sides of a _____ are equal.

Correct Answer: rectangle

Question 10:

A square is a type of _____.

Correct Answer: rectangle

Educational Standards

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. 1.G.A.3:Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of. Describe the whole as two of, or four of the shares. Understand for these examples that decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares.

Teaching Materials

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