Interdisciplinary Learning Unit Planning Form

School: Passport Support Team Date(s) of implementation: start 8/9/2010 end 8/10/2010

Title of Unit: The Greedy Triangle and Polygons
Overview of Unit: Reading, math, visual arts, music, and movement are integrated to explore two-dimensional shapes, lines, and angles.
Inquiry Questions or Big Ideas: How can we explore the properties of polygons through different disciplines?
Key Words, Vocabulary and Curricular Links: The Greedy Triangle, Polygon Song, point, line, ray, angle, right, acute, obtuse, triangle, square, quadrilateral, rectangle, kite, trapezium, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, decagon, collage, border, perimeter, overlapping, deconstructing, time signature, meter, steady beat, patterns, increasing, decreasing
Reading/Language Arts Objectives
-Vocabulary (array)
-Comprehension (characterization, plot development, author’s purpose, compare/contrast) / Mathematics
Objectives
-Describe and analyze properties of two-dimensional shapes
-Measure perimeter / Visual Arts
Objectives
-Create 2-D art w/ mixed media
-Create illusion of space though overlapping
-Use materials properly
-Relationship between visual arts and other disciplines / Music
Objectives
-Sing varied repertoire of songs
-Perform steady tempo on instruments
-Understand time signature/ meter
-Relationship between music and other disciplines / Theatre/Movement/Opera
Objectives
-Create shapes at low, middle, and high levels
-Work cooperatively w/ partner
-Demonstrate body awareness
-Stage classroom dramatizations
How will you start/make connections?
-Read The Greedy Triangle aloud.
Learning Activities/Teacher:
-Teacher read-aloud (Virginia)
-Working with words (dis___) (Mickey)
-Vocabulary array (satisfied/ dissatisfied) (Mickey)
-Write your version of The Greedy Triangle
Assessment
Teacher: observation, group discussion; student versions of The Greedy Triangle
Student (Self): journal
Resources and materials: The Greedy Triangle book / How will you start/make connections?
-Discuss shapes and polygons
Learning Activities/Teacher:
-Geoboard activity (Mickey)
-Find shape of your name (Mickey)
-Name/shape bar graph (Mickey)
-Calculate perimeter of polygon collage (Mickey)
Assessment
Teacher: learning game
Student (Self): journal
Resources and materials: geoboards, rulers, post-it notes, chart paper, geometric template, scissors, construction paper / How will you start/make connections?
-Play Polygon Song
Learning Activities/Teacher:
-Nametag activity (Eve)
-Polygon collage (Eve)
Assessment
Teacher: observation, group discussion, class critique
Student (Self): journal; class critique
Resources and materials: teacher-made sample, tissue paper, glue, scissors, paint brushes, rulers, ribbon, lace, construction paper / How will you start/make connections?
-Discuss polygons; numbers of sides; natural meter in music
Learning Activities/Teacher:
-Play and count steady beat in different time signatures using percussion instruments (Matthew)
Assessment
Teacher: observation, group discussion
Student (Self): journal
Resources and materials: Polygon Song, percussion instruments / How will you start/make connections?
-Walk around school identifying polygons (direction. level, pathway, range, size)
Learning Activities/Teacher:
-Use body to create polygons
-Create polygons with a partner
-Create polygons with yarn (Virginia)
Assessment
Teacher: observation, group discussion, peer assessment, checklist
Student (Self): journal, checklist
Resources and materials: yarn, journals
Plans for Parental Involvement: Invite parents to culminating event and to view work in classroom.
Culminating Event and Date: Students present their work (in the cafeteria, media center, or classroom) including polygon collages, original plays based on The Greedy Triangle, and Polygon Song.