Lesson 4

In previous lessons, students used their own language to talk about two-dimensional shapes. They sorted shapes in whatever way made sense to them which may have included defining or non-defining attributes of familiar shapes.

In this lesson, students use dot paper to draw a shape to match a given shape card. Students identify shapes that have the same attributes, and draw shapes that have at least one shared attribute with two other shapes. Throughout the activities, students describe the shapes they draw to their peers and reflect on the words they use to describe the attributes of shapes. Students develop mathematical language to describe shapes and create a reference poster together to display their language.

The dot paper will be used throughout the section. Consider printing 8–10 copies per student to use throughout this and the following lessons.

Activity 1: Draw Shapes on Dot Paper

• Each group of 2 needs the Flat Shape Cards from a previous lesson.

• Each group of 4 needs a set of Flat Shape Cards from the previous activity.

• Gather materials from previous centers:
  • Capture Squares, Stages 1 and 2
  • Compare, Stage 1
  • How Close, Stages 1-3

Identify ways the math community you are working to foster is going well. What aspects would you like to work on? What actions can you take to improve those areas?