"Shape Shuffle: Radial Design Challenge"

2nd, 1st Grades

Project
1 week

"Shape Shuffle: Radial Design Challenge"

Liza Evans

Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to engage 1st and 2nd-grade students in exploring geometric concepts through hands-on, collaborative activities with older students. By creating radial patterns using stamps, students will deepen their understanding of shape transformations such as flipping, sliding, and turning, and how these actions contribute to the symmetry and completeness of a design. This project fosters creativity, teamwork, and communication skills as students work together to produce a visual representation of their learning, culminating in a public exhibition that celebrates their achievements and insights.

Learning goals

Students will explore geometric concepts by engaging in hands-on activities that demonstrate shape transformations such as flipping, sliding, and turning. Through collaboration with Uni High partners, students will learn how different shapes can be arranged to create symmetrical radial patterns and complete designs. By participating in discussions and reflections, students will develop their understanding of pattern creation and the role of symmetry in art. The project aims to enhance students' spatial reasoning and teamwork skills while fostering creativity in pattern design.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.G.A.1: Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.G.A.1: Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given number of equal faces.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.G.A.3: Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of. Describe the whole as two of, or four of the shares.

Products

Students will collaboratively create vibrant radial pattern posters using stamps, showcasing their understanding of shape transformations. These posters will be displayed in a 'Radial Art Gallery' for peers, family, and community partners to appreciate. Each student will also design a personal 'reflection postcard' to share their favorite project moments and insights with their Uni High partner.

Launch

To kick off the learning experience, students will gather for an interactive workshop where Uni High students introduce the concept of radial patterns using a large, colorful floor display. The younger students will explore the display by walking around it, observing how shapes change when flipped, slid, or turned. Uni High partners will then guide small groups of students in using non-symmetrical stamps to create their own radial designs on paper, sparking curiosity and excitement for the project ahead.

Exhibition

Students will proudly display their radial pattern posters in a vibrant 'Radial Art Gallery' set up in a designated hallway or classroom at both Uni High School and Booker T Washington Elementary. This exhibition will invite families, peers, and community members to explore the creative designs and engage in conversations with the young artists about their learning journey. The event will feature guided tours led by the students, where they will explain their design process, the mathematical concepts they explored, and the collaborative efforts with their Uni High partners.

Week 1	Day 1
Activities	Interactive Workshop Introduction - Students gather around a large, colorful floor display introduced by Uni High students to explore the concept of radial patterns by observing how shapes change when flipped, slid, or turned (10 min) Stamping Exploration - With guidance from Uni High partners, students use non-symmetrical stamps to create their own radial designs on paper, focusing on shape transformations such as flipping and sliding (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Collaboratively created radial pattern poster 2. Individual reflection postcard
Preparation	1. Arrange materials: stamps, stamp pads, cardboard, poster board, clean-up supplies 2. Coordinate with Uni High students for support and guidance during activities 3. Set up a designated space for the Radial Art Gallery exhibition 4. Create a large, colorful floor display of radial patterns for the introduction workshop 5. Organize small group logistics for collaborative activities with Uni High partners