In shape to race
This is a level 2 geometry activity from the Figure It Out series. A PDF of the student activity is included.
About this resource
Figure It Out is a series of 80 books published between 1999 and 2009 to support teaching and learning in New Zealand classrooms.
This resource provides the teachers' notes and answers for one activity from the Figure It Out series. A printable PDF of the student activity can be downloaded from the materials that come with this resource.
Specific learning outcomes:
- Identify the basic attributes of two dimensional shapes.
In shape to race
Achievement objectives
GM2-3: Sort objects by their spatial features, with justification.
Required materials
- Figure It Out, Level 2-3, Geometry, "In shape to race", page 4
- attribute blocks
- a large photocopy of this activity
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- In shape to race activity (.pdf)
Activity
This activity is an example of a logic track. It requires students to consider several attributes of a block simultaneously to find out whether the block can get from start to finish.
Students should justify their decision about which routes are best for the blocks they have chosen.
For example,
- in considering the size attribute, big blocks should take Route 1, and small blocks should take Route 2. Selecting a quadrilateral (either a square or a rectangle) would mean taking Route 1 because the block could not pass through the tunnel on Route 2.
Students need to find ways to organise their thoughts about the characteristics of blocks that get to the finish. A table can be very helpful to record the different characteristics. The attributes can be crossed out on the table as they are eliminated.
|
Route 1 |
Route 2 |
|---|---|---|
Shape |
Square Rectangle Hexagon |
Triangle Circle
Hexagon |
Colour |
Red Blue
|
Red Blue
|
Size |
Big
|
Big Small |
Thickness |
Thick Thin |
Thick Thin |
The table shows that any block can get to the finish provided that it is not yellow and students choose the correct route for that block. Students will enjoy creating their own logic tracks for other students.
Route 1 can be followed only by big red or blue blocks that are squares, rectangles, or hexagons.
Route 2 can be followed only by red or blue blocks that are triangles, circles, or hexagons.
Any block can get to the finish if it is not yellow and students choose the correct route for that block.
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