The Four Triangle Problem

As an introduction to our Geometry unit, our class explored "The Four Triangle Problem".  This puzzle introduces students to geometric concepts and vocabulary, provides experience sorting and classifying polygons, and develops spatial reasoning and flexible thinking. 

Before the lesson, I made triangles by folding and cutting post-it notes in half on the diagonal. Each group of students were asked to make as many shapes as they could by joining first two paper triangles with the result:  triangle, parallelogram and a square and then the next day four paper triangles.  They were told that they must meet together edge to edge, with the rule that touching sides must be the same length and match exactly. I had students first draw the shapes in their math journals and then tape together the triangles. We classified the shapes we made on a classroom chart labeling the different polygons (triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon and hexagon) by counting the number of sides and angles.   

We charted all of the possible polygons. There are 14 in all!  Google, The Four Triangle Problem by Marilyn Burns to view the complete less

Sunflower Seed Spitting Contest

A great way to show real world associations with math is the Classroom Seed Spitting Contest Investigation.  The many objectives intended for this lesson keep evolving as I fine tune the conditions for my students but this year the focus was estimating and rounding, collecting data using a t-chart, creating bar and pictograph charts using the collected data, creating targets with reasonable numbers, friendly or benchmark numbers that could be quickly added and recorded, and measurement using yard sticks.  It should be noted that lessons on bar/pictographs, collecting data using a t-chart and measurement in inches was well established prior to this end of the year activity.  

Materials Needed:  Sunflower seeds, large poster board size paper, pencils markers, yard sticks, recording data sheet (PDF below), bar graph (PDF below), pictograph (PDF below).

Target Practice

Kids get into small groups.  They create a bullseye target using the chart paper identifying point value for each ring on the target.  The point value is designated using friendly numbers or benchmark numbers that the group decides on as a whole.  Next they take turns, three turns each spitting the seeds into the target.  Students record and add the results using mental math strategies on the recording data sheet.  I had the students lay the target on the desks and line up for their turn to spit the seed.

Distance The Seed Traveled in Inches

Students kept in the same group but instead of using the target the goal was to spit it as far as you could without going off the table.  Each student had three tries.   I had the kids decide on how they would measure the distance.  It was decided as a class that they should use the yardsticks laying them end to end on the desks.  Students recorded the data
on the Distance The Seed Traveled in Inches Sheet for each student and added the total using mental math strategies for each student.

Results

Trophies
A winner for each group then had the chance for a final round of Target Practice and Distance The Seed Traveled in Inches.  A winner for each round took home a seed spitting award.  I made this simply by filling a glass jar with seeds and labling it and covering the lid with felt.  A picture of both awards is shown below.

Collected data from the winners of both events is used to create a bar and pictograph.  Both are listed below in a PDF for your use.  Students are given the results and are asked to complete the bar and pictograph with their partners in the group.  We came back to congress or share the results on the rug as a whole class after the groups completed the graphs.



Downloadable Resources:
Sunflower Seed Spitting Contest: Data Collection (pdf file)
Sunflower Seed Spitting Contest: Graphing Activity (docx file)

"Chicken" Multiplication and Division Fact Challenge Tests

In third grade, students must develop a fluency with the basic multiplication and division facts - something we call automatizing. Facts should be known so well, that they can be recalled automatically.

To support and motivate automatizing the facts in a fun way, we take 4 minute Chicken Fact Challenge Tests twice a week (see downloadable resources below). The kids have only 4 minutes to answer all of the facts on the test.

Each student has their own paper chicken and as they pass each test, their chickens move further along a clothesline marked off for each fact challenge test. The multiplication tests begin with multiplying by 3 and 4 and progress through multiplying by 11 and 12. Students pass each test by only missing one fact or earning 100%. A chicken “flies the coop” once all the multiplication tests are passed and he or she gets moved to the clouds on the window. 

After the multiplication fact challenges, the students continue with mixed division and multiplication and division in base ten (e.g. 4 x 50 = _____ ). Students who want a further challenge can try completing the tests in a shorter time period (2 mins or less).

Download all of my multiplication and division fact challenge tests here:

Multplying by 3 and 4
Multiplying by 5 and 6
Multiplying by 7 and 8
Multiplying by 9 and 10
Multiplying by 11 and 12

Mixed Division 1
Mixed Division 2
Mixed Division 3
Mixed Division 4

Multiplication and Division in Base Ten #1
Multiplication and Division in Base Ten #2
Multiplication and Division in Base Ten #3
Multiplication and Division in Base Ten #4