We had a ton of fabric donated to the art department and since this grade already know how to sew why not make quilts? BUT, before we get into the fabrics we need to learn about patterns and what better way to learn about patterns than to play with patterns? BUT, we cannot make patterns unless we know how to first make the shapes we need. This is where rulers and paper come in. This was not an easy task. Children struggled a bit creating and making grids, which is understandable. They shared with me that they have used rulers often to measure, but making a grid was a bit more complex. I thought it was important that students make their own shapes first instead of me just providing them with pre-cut shapes. From experience, one becomes familiar with shapes when making them.
While working in class, children were reminded to spread their fingers out over the ruler so that it won't pivot as they trace their line.
They then used scissors to cut out the 2" squares in black and in white.
Once they cut white and black squares, they used scissors to make some triangles and began experimenting making patterns on their grid. We brainstormed ways to make perfect triangles and realized if we fold the square like a napkin, we can make a perfect triangle. Once they got made a design they liked they could glue it down on the grid.
Here are some initial patterns from this first day....
Next class students has access to manipulative from the math closet and were asked to make 5 different designs and take a photo of each design on their iPad. Below are images from that lesson.
Here is a student using her iPad to photograph her work for later reference.
In the end, two girls at one table chose to make a whole table design using all the pieces.
I think I will ask the other classes to also make a table design at the end. I am very fond of group projects. It requires individual to work together as a group.
