The study of Geometry in 3rd grade is a refreshing break from a year packed with operations and word problems! Geometry relates directly to the world around us every day, making learning concrete and meaningful at the same time. This real-world connection gives us teachers an opportunity to get hands-on experiences going in the classroom and outside. It is also the perfect time to review some important concepts by integrating them with geometry – measurement and fractions are perfect examples. This Guided Math Unit for Geometry has everything you need to check all the boxes!
3rd Grade Unit 7 Mini-Units
- Mini-Unit 1: Attributes of Shapes
- Lesson 1: Attributes of Polygons
- Lesson 2: Attributes of Quadrilaterals
- Lesson 3: Sorting & Classifying Quadrilaterals
- Lesson 4: Attributes of Soldi Shapes
- Mini-Unit 2: Equal Areas as Fractions
- Lesson 1: Partitioning Shapes into Fraction Units
- Lesson 2: Finding Area of Fraction Partitions
- Lesson 3: Fractions & Equivalent Areas
Mini-Unit 1: Attributes of Shapes
Some of children’s earliest learning experiences involve early geometry concepts – learning colors, counting sides, and naming shapes were all things I did with my children at preschool age. Throughout elementary school, students learn another layer of shape differentiation each year. 3rd grade is when previous early learning experiences come together to form a foundation of formal geometric knowledge. Mini-Unit 1 of the Guided Math Geometry Unit gives students plenty of experience with important vocabulary and concepts leading to a greater understanding of polygons. Some geometric information learned in 3rd grade will be used regularly in years to come – parallel sides, angles, and relative angle measurements are all examples of foundational geometric knowledge.
Mini-Unit 1 starts with an exploration of what a geometric shape is – closed, 2 dimensional shapes defined by their attributes. Students learn about the category of shapes defined as polygons, and subcategories within polygons. 3rd and 4th grade math focus largely on quadrilaterals, but triangles, pentagons, and hexagons are important, too! This Mini-Unit is fun, with ample opportunity to sort shapes in an increasing specific manner over the course of the 4 lessons. Two lessons are devoted to quadrilaterals so that students can develop the academic vocabulary needed to discuss attributes of quadrilaterals, compare and contrast quadrilaterals, and sort them based on geometric attributes. Lesson 4 is a Teks-specific lesson about the attributes of solid shapes, which is highly recommended for Common Core teachers, as well, if you have time to fit it in!
Mini-Unit 2: Equal Areas as Fractions
If you have already taught the Guided Math Fractions Unit, you know area model fractions are covered to the max! It can be tricky to decide how to group interrelated concepts, when fractions are taught as a topic, measurement as a different topic, and geometry as yet another separate topic. In fact, these strands are all deeply connected.
Mini-Unit 2 of the Guided Math Geometry Unit takes the opportunity to explore the connections between previously learned skills and geometry. Students will review area model fractions, but with an understanding of area measurement they didn’t have when studying fractions. They will further examine attributes of shapes when analyzing area model partitions of different shapes. Finally, area measurement makes another appearance related to fractions, where students will build wholes from given fraction units and find the area of fractions of whole shapes!
This is also linked directly to different representations of equivalent area model fractions referring to identical wholes. I am super excited about the powerful learning opportunities available in this Mini-Unit!
Digital Guided Math Activities Included!
Each component of the 3rd Grade Guided Math Curriculum comes in printable and digital versions to maximize your flexibility teaching these important concepts. YOU can choose which version of each lesson component should be used – and when – for your diverse learners.
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