April 10, 2017

Fettuccine and Geometry

I love teaching geometry! It comes as a welcome break after months of computation...multiplication, division, adding and subtracting fractions, multistep word problems, etc.  I always incorporate a morning meeting chant and "fettuccine" geometry. First of all, passing out pasta gets everyone's attention! I think spaghetti was used on a BrainPop video, but the fettuccine is more durable. Everyone gets a large piece of paper, and two pieces of fettuccine. I cover parallel, intersecting, and perpendicular lines...then the angles (right, acute, and obtuse). I mix it up by calling out the terms or holding up signs. Sometimes students are the leaders. This can be done with the whole class, table groups, or partners. It's quick practice, and a break from paper and pencil.
Symmetry...give everyone a piece of paper...squirt some mustard on a folded piece of paper...smoosh...and you have symmetry. Of course you could use paint, but why use paint when you can use mustard! Trust me, you will have their attention.

This game of SCOOT is a great review of polygons, lines, and angles...

A word bank is also included...
I also use the cards sorting activities. Every student has a set of the cards (1-18) with the matching vocabulary words. Just like with the fettuccine, the sorting cards provide opportunities for a quick review. 

 For extra practice, I use these sheets for exit tickets, morning work, and homework.

Well, that's a peak at what we will be doing after spring break!