Bonnie, Jordan, Kate, Katie, Alissa, Jesse

Geometry Unit Planning Plan

533- Thunder
Geometry surrounds our students everywhere. No matter where we look, from the
stability of the construction of our school to the design of the products we use to even
the way we devise sports strategies, geometry is present and at work. Geometry is
intriguing because of all of the multifaceted ways it can be utilized to solve world
problems. It is the discipline of math that describes our three dimensional spatial world
and enables us to understand more than just two dimensional theoretical
understandings of mathematics. To understand geometric problems, students
incorporate many more basic mathematical skills to successfully, like their knowledge of
number sense and measurement. Geometry is an avenue for students to practice basic
mathematics facts, like addition and subtraction, composing and decomposing, and
basic measurement.
Geometry helps us to define our three dimensional world. An elementary school
student could recognize that buildings are often rectangular prisms and the angles in
rooms are often ninety degrees. Students quickly learn how to look at a gift they
purchased for mothers day and know about how much wrapping paper they will need to
cover the entire gift. This is spatial geometric thinking. In this process, the student is
evaluating the dimensions of the gift and the total area wrapping paper equivalent or
greater to those dimensions. When students look at a cup of water or a fish tank, they
can evaluate the surface area of the container and make assumptions about the total
volume of water that can be contained. Even when the students ride down the streets
with their parents, they see street signs of different shapes and colors. These shapes
each relate to a particular purpose. For example, a rectangular sign is informational
about a speed change or road directions. A triangular sign provides some sort of
warning to upcoming road hazards. These are just a few simple examples of how
geometry can be found in the daily lives of students.
In order to have a more solid understanding of geometry, students need to be able to
make connections to both measurement and fractions. The spatial confinements of
geometric shapes require the measurements of angles and shape side lengths to be
accurate. As students learn more about geometric shapes and their properties, they
learn that these measurements literally define particular shapes. If a quadrilateral does
not have four interior angles that measure ninety degrees but all of the side lengths have
the same measure, the student can assume that the shape is a rhombus. If a shapes
sides and interior angles all the same measure, the student knows that the shape is
regular and will look a specific way. With regards to real world application, as stated
before, if a student is wrapping a gift in wrapping paper, he or she needs to know the
approximate measure of the gift and of the paper to be able to completely wrap the
present.
Fractions [numbers and number sense] are another mathematics concept that is
important to the composing and decomposing of geometric shapes. A student needs to
recognize that if he or she is dividing a square into two equal parts, he or she can either

create two smaller rectangles or two right triangles. This concept can easily be applied
to dividing up food into equal parts for sharing. If a student has a circular pizza or a
chunk of cheese shaped like a rectangular prism, he or she needs to understand the
geometric properties of the shape to divide it into equal parts.
Geometry provides the spatial element to real world mathematics problems.
Students also build their thinking skills of logic, deductive reasoning, and problem
solving. Geometry requires students to do more than just number crunch. They have to
be able to successfully visualize the spatial limitations of a geometric problem to begin
working through it.
With regard to geometric learning processes, students begin at the pre-cognition
stage. At this stage, students cannot recognize geometric figures. They would not be
able to distinguish between examples and non-examples of categories of shapes, such as
triangles, rectangles, and squares. Then, the student moves into the visualization stage.
At this level, students are able to recognize geometric figures as entities but cannot
isolate any of the parts of the figure or understand how those parts might define the
figure. The students would recognize a shape on sight and be able to name it. The
students in this level of thinking would recognize a rectangle because it looks like a
door, not because of its specific properties. The student would also be able to match
shapes are similar to one another. This would be the stage expected at a Kindergarten
or first grade level. Analysis is the next stage in the learning process. At this point,
properties are perceived but cannot be linked to demonstrate the relationship of
properties to particular shapes. The transition into this stage should occur during
grades 2 and 3. Abstraction is the final learning process stage at the elementary level.
Students know that definitions are meaningful and there is a relationship between
properties and corresponding figures. Students may still not be able to fully use logical
deduction in order to classify and understand shapes, but this skill will come as students
progress through higher level algebra and geometry courses. Students should be at the
abstraction stage before moving on to higher level algebra courses. Its expected that
students transition to the abstraction stage around 5th and 6th grade.
Learning geometry is similar to the way a student learns a number. The size of the
number is gradually increased and new kinds of numbers are considered later. Also like
with number sense, students learn how to compose and decompose shapes in
progressions. They initially lack the competence to compose any geometric shape. They
begin to be able to combine shapes into pictures, first through trial and error and then
using attributes. Finally, the students are able to create combination of shapes to build
new shapes. Students then learn to decompose shapes by breaking the shape into
smaller parts. Initially, this will be done using pictures or manipulatives that can fit
over top of the original so that the student can see that the shapes are in fact congruent.
As the student progresses, he or she will not need these aids as much and will be able to
visualize the parts of the whole without physical manipulatives.
Integrating mathematics concepts into other disciplines of elementary school
curriculum aids students in making connections as to how mathematics is relevant in
their life. Geometry can be integrated in a number of ways into other subject areas. In
social studies, students are required to learn how to read a map. Part of reading a map
entails determining the coordinates of particular things or places. Geometry requires

students to understand the spatial attributes of a shape. In a rectangular map, spatial

reasoning gained from geometry background knowledge would assist students in
locating particular positions on a map. Understanding the shape of the earth as well as
the latitude and longitude lines that we use as a coordinate system requires a basic
understanding of the properties of a sphere.
In science education, students can identify the geometric patterns in the field of
astronomy. Constellations are identified based on the patterns formed using points,
lines, and angles within the stars. These patterns also helped explorers to navigate the
ocean when traveling to new lands. Fibonaccis sequence is probably one of the most
discussed ways to observe geometry and nature. Pine cone seed distributions, hermit
crab shell configuration, even the spiral in our own thumbprint are all examples of
geometric proportions. This pattern of every smaller geometric shapes configured in a
spiral pattern can be seen all across nature. Animal adaptations also reveal geometric
concepts. The consistent shape of flower petals suggests that the pointed oval pattern is
best for the plants survival. The shape of a trees trunk provides the structure enough
stability to withstand daily weather. Even the shape of a birds wings is fairly consistent
throughout the world. These shapes have proven the most advantageous for the plants
and animals. Organisms that possessed parts of different shapes that were not as
advantageous died out and were unable to reproduce to carry on their genes.
In literacy, there is less of a need to have an understanding of spatial relationships.
What geometry does assist with is the creation of a logical argument. Once a student
reaches a higher level of geometric thinking, he or she will begin completing geometric
proofs to understand all of a shapes properties. By thinking through and completing
these proofs, students are practicing their ability to make connections from one step to
the next. It could almost be compared to an argumentative essay with all the supportive
details of the essay like each assertion in the geometric proof.
Architects and engineers utilize their knowledge of geometry every day to construct
sturdy and aesthetically pleasing structures. New technology helps these architects to
construct digital representations that details a structures design plans. Computer
graphics designers use geometric shapes to create more detailed images. Students can
begin building a frame of reference for these skills by not only manipulating physical
geometric representations but also digital ones.
In physical education, geometry is essential to students success in sports. Each
sport is played on a different shaped field or court; most are rectangular but some, like a
baseball field, are unique. Students cut through the field, quickly evaluating the fastest
routes to move from point A to point B. This skill demonstrates their knowledge in how
to cut through the rectangular shaped field in the most direct way. Basketball would
involve very different strategies if the court were a perfect circle. The shapes of the
fields affect the overall strategy of how the game is played.
Art is a common place to find very apparent geometric designs. Tessellations are one
example of unique geometric shapes all fitting together to create a patterned image.
Optical illusions operate on this element. The image manipulates the properties of
shapes to play a trick on your eyes. Perspective drawing utilizes very strict spatial
constructs to make a two dimensional art work appear three dimensional. To create a

convincing piece of art, geometric spacing needs to be understood by the artist or else
our eye catches the flaw in the piece.