We are wrapping up our 3-dimensional unit which has become one of my favorite units of the year. One reason it is my favorite is because we summarize each unit on paper plates creating a octahedron by the end of the book. This is the second time I have done octahedrons, you can read last year's post HERE.
The plates explained the following concepts:
- Area formulas for triangles, circles and trapezoids
- Rectangular prism nets
- Surface area of a rectangular prism
- Volume of a rectangular prism
- Surface area of a cylinder
-Volume of a cylinder
- Volume of a sphere
- Volume of a cone
Last year my directions stressed an explanation for each concept. Many of the students' explanations were hard to apply to new problems so I changed my flipchart directions this year.
I had students write the steps in words and numbers (example) for each for the volume and surface area plates.
The plates turned out great and this year I remembered to have students decorate their plates when they finished their directions. We hole punched two plates at the top and ran string through to hang the octahedrons.
I heard one student say "it looks like paradise!"
I totally agree - math paradise :)
The other 7th grade teacher hung her octahedrons along the back of her room. Doesn't it look like vertebrae? I am going to keep this in mind for next year.
I love doing this summary activity! The plates get the students out of the book and keep them engaged throughout the unit!
Happy Teachers Appreciation Week :)
