Angle Investigation: Polaroid Snapshots

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RGB0rZrna2n7hnx8CyTAaa-AzyvTjAri/view?usp=sharing 

Name Geometry

Students look for geometry in their name! Click here for a free printable where kids hunt for angles in the entire alphabet to go along with this activity! Also, check out Polygon Alphabet!

Right Angle Art

Using a ruler, students create a unique line drawing by overlapping, rotating, and reflecting right angles.

Asymmetrical Starburst

Students explore geometry and art by creating asymmetrical starburst designs!

1. Draw a line segment 3 to 5 inches long in the center of the paper.
2. Make dots around the line segment. (No dots on the horizontal line)
10 dots (5 above, 5 below for younger students / 15-20 dots for older students)
3. Connect the dots! - but, in a pattern. (Connect one end of the line segment to a dot, back to the other end of the line segment) - repeat (end of line segment-dot-other end of line segment) - use a ruler

Note: To simplify this project have children make their horizontal line a different color or add bright colored dots to the end of the line segment. Then, they will be able to see where they draw their lines to.

Math Connection:
Visit I Love That Teaching Idea for questions to ask children while they are constructing!

Tape Resist Measuring Art

materials:

- painter's tape

- ruler (inches)

- tempera, acrylic, or water color paint (or other medium: crayons, markers, etc.)

- paint brushes

- thick cardstock paper

- pen

Students explore measuring, while creating aesthetically pleasing works of art. They tear different lengths of tape and place it on their paper (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). After they place a single piece of tape, they measure it. Then, they write the measurement with pen on top of the tape. Once they're finished taping and measuring, they add color! They can paint or color over the tape. Their measurement lines will stay intact. Just make sure students don't paint over their recorded measurement, what they wrote with pen. After the paint dries, students carefully pull the tape off and write their measurement on their white line (see image).

Now, see if they can point out angles in their design. Can they find an acute, obtuse, or right angle? Have them examine their lines. Did they make any perpendicular or parallel lines?

Note: If you're working with older students, have them measure their angles with a protractor.

Pass the Paper!

This math art collaboration project comes from Incredible Art! Kids show their knowledge of geometry terms by creating art! Each child is given a piece of paper. They are given an instruction (such as make 3 dots). Then, they pass their sheet of paper. Another instruction is given (ex: use a compass to create 3 circles from the 3 dots). Students draw on their peers' paper. Then, they pass the paper. Papers get passed around until they reach their "owner." The owner embellishes the line drawing to create a unique piece of art!

Ramps, Angles, and Measuring

Integrate math and science by constructing ramps! Kids use blocks (or other materials on hand) to construct their ramps. Make sure all ramps are made with the same materials for accurate results. You will need to secure your ramps with duct tape.

Kids investigate how different angles can affect speed and distance of a ball!

Before you test out your ramps, have kids make a prediction. Which ramp do they think will make the ball go the farthest and the fastest? If you're working with older kids have them measure the angle of each of their ramps. Younger kids can compare their ramps by the number of blocks holding it up (example above: 5 blocks vs. 3). 

Have kids measure the distance produced by each ramp (standard or nonstandard - depending on age group). Which ramp helped the ball travel the farthest distance? Time the ball going down each ramp. Which ramp made the ball go the fastest? 

Egg Carton Flyer

Save your egg cartons to construct a flying wing! It soars with the help of a penny inserted in the "cargo bay!" Click here for the template and instructions!

integration:
geometry: angles (best angle for distance)
estimating: distance
measuring: distance
science: potential / kinetic energy / wind

Kid Engineering

Design Squad Nation - Lots of hands on projects, and a great place for kids to collaborate with other students from around the country.
Featured above:
Treasure Grab - Kids investigate magnetism with this measuring construction project!
Indoor Slingshot - Angle Exploration and potential / kinetic energy! Kids measure the distance their object is propelled. What angle worked best? 
Air Cannon - Estimate and measure, while exploring air pressure. Kids blow up a bag, smash it, and a pom pom ball goes flying! 

WYE_Lance has a special showcase of kid engineering projects featured on Instructables: Project-Based Engineering.
Featured above:
Truss Bridges - Kids explore symmetry and angles as they create a unique popsicle stick structure.
Rubber Band Helicopter - How high will it go? How long will it stay up?

Sophie's World - Balloon Boat (top right image)
Kids investigate the power of air, as they estimate and measure the distance their boat floats!

Pasta Angles

Show kids a couple of different pasta shapes. Can they find an angle? Then, have them design their own original pasta shape! Their new shape must include an acute, obtuse, or right angle. What will they call their pasta? Have them create an original logo and package for their pasta.

RPS Angles!

Switch up the classic game Rock Paper Scissors with angles! Visit Hands on Math for details. This site has amazing math ideas!

Also, check out Odd vs. Even for another hand game.
Click here for Rock Paper Scissors Fractions.

Tape Math

Create oversized ten frames and number lines on the classroom floor! You could even practice coordinate graphing! Then, use your tape roll to go on an angle walk (below)! Click here for details! Also, check out Polygon Construction!

Other activities that can be done with tape in the classroom:
Hot Wheels Math
Blacktop Geometry
Me! Graphing
Hop the Clock!
Run N Round
Kid Calculator
Oreo Math

2D and 3D Geometric Towns

Integrate math, social studies, and art with 2 awesome projects! 

1. 2D GEOMETRIC TOWN (LINE SEGMENTS) - Check out ABC Teach Geometric Town Map project (more advanced)! View examples at Engrade and Mrs. Sandri Math.

2. 3D GEOMETRIC TOWN - Get creative and "develop basic mapping and geography skills including the use of symbols, compass directions, scale, and grid coordinates," by creating a 3D Town - Peggy Healy Stearns - (photo of town featured above). Visit Parent's Choice for free building pattern printables (store fronts / town accessories), as well as map printables (cardinal rose, coordinate grid, etc)! Also, check out Fun Stuff To Do for lots of 3D solid patterns for your town buildings, and see their version of a Geometric Town!

To turn this into a PBL project, combine the 2 activities! Make small 2D maps of your 3D geometric town. Share your town on a parent night! Pass out maps to the tourists (aka parents) and have them visit your Geometric Town!

Note: You can also add fractions to your town, click here for details!

S.T.E.M.

1. S.T.E.M. Sites:
eGFI - great site for S.T.E.M. resources for the classroom. Click "teachers" link for projects
EIA Energy Kids - lots of cool science experiments and printable lesson plans in pdf format
I-STEM Resource Network - numerous lesson plans, experiments, and activities for elementary

PBS Kids Design Squad Nation -  teacher resources for S.T.E.M. activities. The site includes electricity, force / energy, simple machines, and many more categories that can tie into your Project Based Learning lesson plans.

Click here for Urban Design projects: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dOUdmDhYxbrTVDiddMi-siVFqbsQCk22/view?usp=sharing

Explore angles, gravity, and friction by making your own Zip Line with Design Squad Nation:



3. The Math Lab explored gravity by creating a bungee cord for Barbie dolls to go on a thrilling adventure! This is a great activity for students to use their measuring skills. Through trial and error, they determine the best length for the cord (made of rubberbands).

barbie head photo credit: Tracheotomy Bob - flickr cc

4. Mrs. Davis, from Birmingham k12, had her class build "Out of this World Vehicles!" Students pretended that they were engineers and designed / constructed a lunar vehicle that could carry lunar rocks (wooden blocks) for a specific distance and timeframe. Check out the lesson plan here! Also, take a look at Mrs. Bushnell's 4th Grade's design / motion challenge (featured below) and Drew's Animals' rover!

photo credit: Mrs. Bushnell's 4th Grade

Slingshots and Catapults

Demonstrate projectile motion, exertion, force, velocity, potential / kinetic energy, and angles with slingshots and catapults! How much force is needed to project objects of different weights? What angle will fly your object the farthest? 

As a class, or an individual homework project, have kids design a catapult or slingshot. Experiment using different amounts of force. What angle creates the best launch? Try launching objects of different weights. Did heavier objects need more force and require more energy? Measure the distance of the objects you launch!

Featured above with how to instructions:

Slingshots
Hand Held Classic Slingshot - The Risky Kids. You can also make a pvc pipe hand held slingshot, click here for instructions!
Chair Slingshot - Kitchen Pantry Scientist
Pyramid Slingshot - Visit DIY Life
Construct an oversized slingshot for water balloons, balls, toys or anything else you'd like to launch! Visit Instructables, click here and here for two different designs! You can also purchase one from SSWW (featured above).
Indoor Slingshot - Design Squad Nation

Catapults
Ping Pong Ball Scoop Catapult, as well as a wide assortment of designs, click here! 
Popsicle Stick Bottle Cap Catapult - Do It and How
Tissue Box Pencil - Disney Family Fun

There are tons of different designs for slingshots and catapults! You can use different components from various designs to create your very own unique launcher!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Baseball Geography
Mark the location of the teams your home team plays on a map!

Baseball Science

Kid Experiments - Finding A Bat's Sweet Spot, Handling Forces, Add Curve To Your Pitch, A Baseball's Bounce, as well as the classic Potential / Kinetic Energy Transfer demonstration - visit Exploratorium! 

Also, check out The Physics of Baseball article over at CNet. Paul Doherty from Exploratorium demonstrated the experiments mentioned above! (Photo Credit: James Martin/CNET Networks)

Baseball Geometry
Angles - Finding the perfect swing! The angle you swing the bat determines the ball's distance and height! Also, try throwing the ball at different angles. What angle is the ideal pitch? Click here for details.

Learn Your Shapes: sphere (ball), diamond (field), square (bases), pentagon (home plate), circle (pitcher's mound) 

Find the perimeter / area of a base and the circumference of the pitcher's mound!

Baseball Measuring

Head to your local little league baseball fields and practice measuring. Find the diameter of the pitcher's mound. Measure the distance from base to base, the dimensions of bases (L x W). Field dimensions image via ultimate baseball field

Baseball Algebra / Number Functions 

Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division with missing addends by making a mini baseball board game. Visit Education.com!


Baseball Statistics

Visit Ducksters, NetPlaces, and MLB Kids!


Baseball Time
Practice telling time, record the duration of baseball practice or a game! Click here for details!

Simon Says Geometry

Put a twist on Simon Says to help kids with geometry vocabulary. Kids make parallel and perpendicular lines, segments, points, angles, polygons, demonstrate symmetry, and more by using their arms, legs, and friends! This activity gives kids a chance to get super creative and helps them retain geometry terminology. 

Math In The Pavement

While learning about weathering, do a little math! I did Exploratorium's Pattern of Cracks activity and kids had a blast with it! Take kids outdoors to hunt for cracks in the pavement, on a road or sidewalk, at the playground or the park. Bring a ruler and a protractor with you, as well as paper and a pencil. Identify angles, measure them, and look for crack patterns in the pavement. Talk about the weathering process and how stress has an impact on pavement due to expansion, contraction, and the embedding of objects into the pavement's surface. Check out Geometry Playground to see how to conduct the activity and for the science behind the weathering of pavement.

Squirt Gun Geometry

Fourth graders at Maine Memorial Elementary used squirt guns to practice measuring angles! They also made predictions of how far the water will shoot out when a squirt gun is held at different angles. How to: Have kids draw oversized angles on poster board. Then, have them fill up their guns and use their poster board angle as a guide. They hold their gun up to the angle line and shoot! Click here to see squirt gun math in action! (Note: Use foam water shooters aka max liquidators instead of guns - no need for guns at school)

Periscope

Periscope - (def.) "tubular optical instrument that contains reflecting elements, such as mirrors and prisms, to permit observation from a position displaced from a direct line of sight." 

1. Create a periscope out of PVC Pipe! Dive under water and check out what's happening above the water line using your viewer. You can also hide behind the couch in your living room and investigate!

2. Construct a simple periscope out of a milk carton for detective work.

3. Check out Make It Awesome's cardboard periscope tutorial here for super spy vision!