Sample+Tasks

**Sample Task 1:**

Introduction to the topic:

Pass out a worksheet with Shel Silverstein's poem //Shapes// from his book //A Light in the Attic// on it. This worksheet will also have questions and activities for students to complete when they finish reading the poem. Read the poem aloud at the start of the lesson.



Show a copy of the poem in the book up on the projector. Before you do this, have students draw what they think the shapes will look like based on the poem. After, have students answer the questions on the worksheet about the differences form their own illustrations to the one in the book.



This relates to the topic of literature in geometry because it allows students to think about geometric shapes through words describing them in poetic form. It allows students to think about the design of a shape and how it would look in an illustration. This allows students to read across the curriculum and express what they've learned to their ever day life.

**Sample Task 2:**

Read aloud to the class the book //The Librarian Who Measured The Earth// by Kathryn Lasky. Divide your class into groups of four and give each group a photo copy of pages 35 through 38 of the book. In each group, have them discuss Eratosthene's method. Have them come up with questions they have about how and why the method works. Taking turns, have each group briefly share a question, comment, or idea they had about Eratosthene's method for measuring the earth. Have students regroup and focus on the questions that have been asked. See if any groups can come up with answers and have them share.

This activity allows students to take a task they have read about and try to apply the rationality to it. Students will be able to take a story that is written as fiction and discover the truth to it. They will be able to connect topics that they take for granted every day and apply the mathematical knowledge to the real life situation.

**Sample Task 3:**

Read aloud to the class the book //Measuring Penny// by Loreen Leedy. Discuss with students what went into measuring Penny the dog such as different types of measurements. Then have students decide if there is anything big they want to measure such as the classroom! Have students discuss what will go into measuring the classroom. These ideas should be things like how many desks are there, are there any other pieces of furniture? Create a list with your students on the board. Pass out a worksheet to you students and tell them to get in groups of four. They should follow the directions on the worksheet to complete the activity. The worksheet is attached along with an example.

This activity will allow students to try out different types of measuring tools both standard and non standard. It will also give them an idea of how household tools can be used based on the examples provided in the book. This piece of literature allows students to personalize math. They get to apply what they've learned to their daily life and create in interest in the setting around them.