Lesson 13
Describe and Match Shapes
Lesson Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for students to use positional words to describe the location of pattern blocks in a larger shape.
Lesson Narrative
While some students may already be familiar with the positional words, students are formally introduced to the words above, below, next to, and beside. Students hear and use these words to describe the location of objects in the classroom. Students describe shapes made out of pattern blocks and use positional words to help their partner create the same shape. Listen to how students create an argument and use or revise their language to make their argument clear to others (MP3, MP6).
- Representation
- MLR8
Activity 2: Introduce Match Mine, Pattern Blocks
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Describe the location of shapes using positional words.
- Put shapes together to form larger shapes.
Student Facing
- Let’s build shapes that match.
Required Materials
Materials to Gather
Required Preparation
Activity 3:
- Gather materials from:
- Match Mine, Stage 1
- Geoblocks, Stages 1 and 2
- Build Shapes, Stages 1 and 2
- Pattern Blocks, Stages 1-5
- Less, Same, More, Stages 1-4
Lesson Timeline
| Warm-up | 10 min |
| Activity 1 | 10 min |
| Activity 2 | 15 min |
| Activity 3 | 20 min |
| Lesson Synthesis | 5 min |
| Cool-down | 0 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
The standards ask students to describe the relative positions of objects using terms such as above, below, next to, and beside. When can you ask students questions involving positional worlds? How can you incorporate it into literacy time or transitions?