Can You Create A Congruent Figure?

Designed by: Ashley Norton       School: Rosewood

Grade Level: 5        Subject: Math

Core Curriculum Objective: Identify and create congruent figures and patterns with/without manipulatives and/or graphs.  (5-GS1-3) 

Overview: Students will explore congruent figures and patterns in this lesson. On the first day of the lesson, students will explore the concept of congruency and will work in pairs to create a congruent pair of figures using materials provided by the teacher. Students collaborate with other groups to be sure their figures are congruent and affirmation is provided by the teacher. On the second day of the lesson, students will create a pair of congruent patterns using materials provided by the teacher. Student groups will create a poster display of their congruent figures and patterns and will place the poster in a designated area. All student groups will view the displays. The teacher will evaluate the lesson using a grading rubric provided with this lesson.

Focus Question: How can you identify and create congruent figures and patterns using manipulatives?

Time Frame: Two fifty-minute class periods

Resources: pipe cleaners felt scraps cloth scraps wallpaper scraps construction paper scissors glue sticks clear tape poster board overhead projector overhead marker copies of the culminating assessment

Culminating Assessment:

Students will work in pairs to create one congruent pair of figures and one congruent pair of patterns using manipulatives. The congruent figures will be attached to a sheet of poster board and will be displayed in a designated area. The poster board display will be evaluated using the following rubric. Each student will be evaluated individually according to the rubric.

Name: _______________________________________________________________ 

Date: ________________________________________________________________ 

Total Points: __________________________________________________________ 

Comments: 

Culminating Assessment Rubric for the Congruent Figure

Culminating Assessment Rubric for the Congruent Pattern

Instructional Activities:

Activity 1: 

The teacher will introduce the lesson by discussing congruence with the students. (Definition: Congruent-same size and shape) The class should discuss and list objects and patterns they observe in the classroom. (Some examples could include windows, desks, and math books.) The teacher should record student examples on the overhead projector.

The students should choose a partner for the activity and should sit with other groups for collaboration. The teacher should distribute a copy of the culminating assessment to each student. The teacher should discuss the expectations and the evaluation criteria for this assignment and make sure the students understand them. Students should be allowed to choose manipulatives for their activity from the ones provided by the teacher. Then, they should practice some examples of pairs of congruent figures and patterns using their manipulatives. Other student groups should assist with groups having trouble. The teacher should monitor each groups progress and should assist any groups having trouble. Once the students are comfortable working with the manipulatives and understand the concept of congruent figures and patterns, they should begin creating their pairs of congruent figures and patterns. Student groups should create their pair of congruent figures using the manipulatives provided by the teacher. For example, a student group may choose a pipe cleaner to bend and create a shape. Then, the students should choose an identical pipe cleaner, bend it the same way, and create an identical shape. The students should then have one or two other groups review their shapes to be certain they are congruent. If not, they should work together to create congruent shapes. The teacher should be monitoring and assisting during this activity.

Activity 2: 

Once the students have created their congruent figures, they should begin creating their congruent patterns. Student groups should create their pattern using materials available from the teacher. For example, students may cut squares of red and blue felt and arrange them in a checkerboard pattern. Then, they should create an identical pattern using the same materials. Students should have one or two other groups review their patterns to be certain they are congruent. If not, they should work together to create congruent patterns. The teacher should be monitoring and assisting during this activity. Once the congruent shapes and patterns have been created, the students should adhere them to the posterboard. Students should place their display in an area designated by the teacher. Student groups should view each group's work. The teacher should use the poster displays and the culminating assessment rubrics to evaluate this activity. Each student should receive his/her own copy of the rubric with the teachers comments and evaluation.