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 :)
I actually teach the same content and I love this idea for a summary activity! Having students record their notes onto paper plates at the end of each unit and then creating a octahedron is such a great culminating activity. I am definitely going to do this next year. I usually have my students complete an information frame (which I found through the Big Ideas website) as a study guide. The information frames have the surface area or volume of the 3-dimensional shape in the center and then there are four sections surrounding the shape. These sections include Visual, Words, Algebra, and Example. So for the Words section, students write down the definition in words first. Then, they draw a visual, including the net of the 3-dimensional figure. Next, they write the formula using Algebra. Lastly, they give an example with correct work shown. Next year, I think I will have them draw and fill out the information frame onto paper plates instead in order to create the octahedron at the end of the chaptere. Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea!
ReplyDelete