Mathematics — Grade 5

Origami geometry

Students apply their knowledge of geometric terms to follow directions while folding an origami sculpture. Students then solve math problems which relate to the project with follow-up discussions about the project relating to geometric terms such as symmetry, faces, edges, square, triangle, plane, etc.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

By Cherl Hollada, Libby Morrison, Michelle Kaczynski, and Susan Pope.

Inside, outside, and all around

Students will distinguish between perimeter, area, and volume. They will use tangrams and graph paper to create two-dimensional figures that will be measured for area and perimeter. By creating layers of centimeter cubes, the students will explore the concept of volume.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Mathematics)

By Angeli Jarman.

Everyday geometry: Hidden figures and polygons

A lesson plan for grade 5 math in which students use historical photographs and drafting plans to demonstrate their knowledge of mathematical figures and polygons.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Mathematics)

By Sonna Jamerson.

Resources on the web

What's in a Shape?

By using tangram shapes children learn the relationships between shapes that two identical right isosceles triangles fit together to form a square. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by:

What's in a shape?

The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to explore characteristics of shapes by making and using tangram sets. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

What's important about triangles?

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students discover that it is not possible to construct some triangles from given lengths and that the sum of the lengths of any two sides must be greater than the length of the third side. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Shapes at work

Students record shapes that they find around them, identifying those that can be used to solve practical problems and build larger structures. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Seeing geometry in art

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students explore the geometric figures Wassily Kandinsky used in his art. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Rectangles and parallelograms

In this lesson, from Illuminations, students use dynamic software to examine the properties of rectangles and parallelograms and then identify what distinguishes a rectangle from a more general parallelogram. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Polygons

Students identify and classify polygons according to various attributes. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Planning a mini-quilt

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students create a quilt using three transformations (reflection, rotation, and translation) and then investigate the ways shapes can be colored to show one-half and one-fourth. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Looking for patterns

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use an online, interactive activity to analyze characteristics and properties of three-dimensional geometric shapes. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Learning about length, perimeter, area, and volume of similar objects using interactive figures: Side length and area of similar figures

This two-part example illustrates how students can learn about the length, perimeter, area, and volume of similar objects using dynamic figures. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–8 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

How many triangles can you construct?

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students identify patterns in a geometrical figure, build a foundation for the understanding of fractals, and develop experiments to test hypotheses. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Getting to know the shapes

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students use an online, interactive activity to analyze characteristics and properties of three-dimensional geometric shapes. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Exploring properties of rectangles and parallelograms using dynamic software

In this example for e-math lessons, properties of rectangles and parallelograms are examined. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Constructing a three-dimensional model

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from Illuminations, students build a three-dimensional model of a clubhouse from two-dimensional blueprints designed in an earlier lesson. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics