Exploring shape attributes

Today Team Odyssey delved farther into their Geometry and Art unit. To begin defining what makes each 2-D figure unique student groups rotated and explored different geometric figures. They looked at a chess board, pattern blocks, a scrabble board, and a variety of other geometric figures. Students were encouraged to record "what makes a square a square" and "what makes a right triangle a right triangle" and so forth for with polygons.

We heard group discussions and debates, which allowed students to use their given tools to defend their positions regarding the figure attributes. Rulers, background knowledge, and visuals all played into these conversations.

After station rotations were complete we came together as a group to determine our shared definitions of squares, rectangles, and rhombuses (for today). Students took notes as we discussed and evaluated these attributes.

One station caused discussion and disagreements (which is great) and will be re-evaluated by the whole group. Some groups felt the shape of the scrabble board was a square, others felt it was a rectangle. We encouraged students to evaluate their perspective, look at the notes they took as a whole, and bring it back with with evidence and data to the next group discussion.