I think a lot of students feel this way, but in a digital world it's a little too cumbersome to keep so many geo-boards and small pieces around the classroom. This is where iPads really come in handy. I have found so many applications that help students understand geometry while still using their hands and without the extra materials. By far the b
est, though, is an app named Geoboard, which is a "tool for exploring a variety of mathematical topics introduced in the elementary and middle grades" ("Geoboard, by The Math Learning Center", 2015). It is a 5 by 5 geo-board, which gives users the ability to stretch bands around pegs to create line segments and polygons, learn about geometric shapes, area, and perimeter. The possibilities are endless with this app, making it easy to use in multiple lessons across grade levels.
The best part about it is that it is free. All it takes is an iTunes username and password, and you can begin working! The app has some really great features that contribute to its versatility. It has several different colored rubber bands, so that you can distinguish different shapes from one another or make shapes within shapes. You can also fill in the shapes with color to better understand area and how many units a shape may contain or where shapes overlap.
Although it's pretty self explanatory, I've included instructions on how to use the app to the right.
For my lesson in particular, I used Geoboard in a lesson for second grade. The standard 2.G.1. states, "Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given numbers of equal faces. (Note: Sizes are compared directly or visually, not compared by measuring.) Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes."
With the hope that I have a classroom with a 1:1 student to iPad ratio, I will use this app to solidify students' understanding of geometric shapes in the form of an independent practice. The great thing about technology is that there is a lot of room for adaptation in the event of a shortage of devices. If this is the case, I can make this a small group activity, a station at math centers, or a whole class activity. Click here to view my lesson plan!
First, I will review various geometric shapes with students. Because there are standards for recognizing shapes in grades prior to second grade, they should have already been exposed to them, know their names, and characteristics that help them identify one from another. Depending on the level of knowledge across my class, I will adapt the lesson to meet their needs—whether that means reviewing more or less. The lesson will cover what has already been taught in previous grades, but include new information that teaches students to identify shapes by the number of
angles or sides present.
After addressing the new information with the entire class, asking questions along the way, and prompting students to repeat the information they've learned, students will work individually to complete a worksheet. Before they jump into the worksheet, I
will provide a few examples at the front of the class so that they are familiar with what they're getting into.
These examples will prompt the class to create:
- A shape with 3 sides
- A shape with 4 angles
Together we will create these shapes and when students complete them they will hold up their iPads to indicate they are done. This will also give me the opportunity to scan the room and check to make sure everyone understands the task.
After everyone is familiar with what we're doing, I will distribute a worksheet with a series of similar prompts that can be completed in pairs or individually, depending on the ratio of iPads to students in the room.
Despite the great features in this app, there is no share-ability feature built in. Rather than have students come up to me individually to check their answers, I will walk around the room to gauge understanding.
Attached you will find a copy of the worksheet, which gives clear instructions on what is expected of the students and how to begin.
The great thing about this app is that it can be used for multiple kinds of lessons with different age groups. In thinking about my lesson with second graders I noticed that geo-boards can help with a deeper understanding of area and perimeter. They also can be used to understand how geometric shapes can make up other shapes, like the picture to the left.
In my exploration of how to use geo-boards, I realized that there are so many possibilities and different activities geo-boards can facilitate. Geoboard, the app, takes learning with your hands and digitizes it, making it easy, efficient, and fun to learn geometric concepts.
References
[Geoboard] Retrieved April 29, 2015, from: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71iRC1GK4RL._SX425_.jpg
[Girl with geoboard] Retrieved April 29, 2015, from: http://waddleeahchaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/geoboard-me-4801.jpg
Geoboard, by The Math Learning Center. (2015, February 11). Retrieved April 29, 2015, from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geoboard-by-math-learning/id519896952?mt=8
