Geometry Gallery of Imaginary Animals Project
Have you ever noticed that many of the terms in geometry sound like they are
the names of some strange animals? Terms like Scalene, Dodecagon, and Heptagon?
In this project, students use their imaginations to create imaginary polygon
animals and describe them, while they learn about geometry at the same time!
Be sure to visit the Amy's Gallery and look
at the artwork submitted by students.
Objective
According to NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, students
in grades 3-5 should be able to identify, compare and analyze attributes of two-
and three-dimensional shapes and develop vocabulary to describe the attributes.
In this activity, students practice these skills and use their imaginations to
create imaginary polygon animals and use geometric vocabulary to write a story
about their creations.
The Task
Students choose geometry terms and create drawings of imaginary animals. Then
students use geometric vocabulary to write a story about their polygon animal
describing its appearance, behavior, and habitat. Students send their completed
drawings and stories to be included in the Geometry Gallery of Imaginary Animals.
Materials
- Drawing paper or computer paper or HyperStudio stack
- Pencils, pens, felt-tip pens, acrylic paints, crayons, or computer graphics
or drawings
- Writing paper or computer word processing program or HyperStudio stack
Procedure
- Examine the list of geometry terms below:
- Equilateral
- Octagon
- Rhombus
- Heptagon
- Dodecagon
- Hexagon
- Nonagon
- Hypotenuse
- Trapezoid
- Scalene
- Isosceles
- Polygon
- Quadrilateral
- If you aren't sure what these terms mean, we included a glossary
to help you.
- Once you have finished the drawing of your geometric imaginary animal, you
are ready to describe it. On a separate sheet of paper, describe its appearance,
behavior and habitat. Be sure to include its habitat in your drawing, as well.
- If you would like to do your drawing and story by creating a HyperStudio
stack, you can send Amy your stack saved on a floppy disk.
- Send your completed imaginary animals and stories
to Amy, and she will post them here in the Geometry Gallery of Imaginary Animals!
Be sure to include your email address so you can get feedback from the students
who visit Amy's Gallery and see and read about
your animal.
How to Send Your Entries to Amy:
Mail your imaginary animals/stories to:
-
Amy Erickson, TEAMS Distance
Learning
Los Angeles County
Office of Education
9300 Imperial Highway,
Room 250
Downey, CA 20424
TEAMS Electronic Hallway
TEAMS Home Page
LACOE Home Page