Geometry & Spatial Sense
Grade 3: Geometry & Spatial Sense
Using a reference tool to identify right angles and to compare angles with a right angle; classifying two-dimensional shapes by geometric properties (number of sides and angles); classifying three-dimensional figures by geometric properties (number of faces, edges, and vertices); relating different types of quadrilaterals; naming prisms and pyramids; identifying congruent shapes; describing movement on a grid map; recognizing transformations.
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling is an incredible tool for students to look for geometrical shapes as well as symmetry in natural phenomena. Their nature journal allows them to write/draw their observations helping to cement the concepts being taught.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However, the last statement becomes very important for making the connections. Encourage students to begin writing using single words or simple sentences. Please note that spelling is not the focus in a nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link below for tips on giving feedback. Using a combination of words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
Here are some more ideas to get you started.
Engage the fives senses (whenever possible)
Make leaf prints ( paint the leaf and press the print into the journal)
Make leaf rubbings
Trace the items they are looking at
Add leaves into the journal using tape
Count the birds/squirrels/insects etc.
Measure as much of the phenomena as the students can using non standard and standard units of measurement.
Here is a downloadable lesson from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. All resources shared with permission. "I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of..."
GIVING FEEDBACK here is a fantastic resource from Jack and Emilie
NOTE: You are encouraged to spend time in the outdoors Nature Journaling. However, you can also bring nature inside, look out your wonder window, have a refrigerator Safari or even observe a house plant or pet.
Nature Journaling: Collection or Field Guide
In the activity Collection or Field Guide from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students make a field guide or “collection” of things within a focused category, such as leaf types, rocks in a stream, things that are red, or tracks."
All resources shared with permission.
Nature Journaling: Landscape Cross Section
In the activity Landscape Cross Section from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students map shifts in the location of plants or animals across an area, such as the slope of a hill or a transition from shore to pond."
All resources shared with permission.
Right-Angle Search
Go outside for a walk, visit a green space or look out a window. How many right-angles can you find outside?
Do a tally of each of the angles you find using a "T" chart with the categories: natural and unnatural
Also look at other angles you find and determine if they are greater or smaller than a right-angle
Curriculum Links:
see Data Management
see Writing
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.