Lesson 3
Specific Side Lengths
Lesson Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for students to recognize and draw shapes that have sides with a given length. Students also revisit and practice measuring lengths.
Lesson Narrative
In a previous unit, students measured and compared the length of the sides of triangles and rectangles with rulers. In previous lessons, students recognized and drew shapes on dot paper based on a given number of sides and corners. In this lesson, students measure sides with rulers to find shapes with specific attributes. Students use their rulers to draw shapes with given side lengths (MP6).
- Action and Expression
- MLR8
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Use a ruler to draw shapes with specified side lengths, and identify the attributes of these shapes.
Student Facing
- Let’s find and draw shapes with specific side lengths.
Required Materials
Materials to Gather
Required Preparation
Lesson Timeline
| Warm-up | 10 min |
| Activity 1 | 15 min |
| Activity 2 | 20 min |
| Lesson Synthesis | 10 min |
| Cool-down | 5 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
Which students came up with an unexpected shape or technique for drawing shapes in today’s lesson? What are some ways you can be more open to the ideas of each and every student?
Suggested Centers
- Can You Draw It? (1–5), Stage 1: Grade 1 Shapes (Supporting)
- Which One? (K–5), Stage 2: Grade 1 Shapes (Supporting)