April Math Box Homework

Geometry is the part of mathematics that deals with shapes, space and symmetry. The children need to recognize, name and describe various simple shapes, and have lots of hands-on experience with them. Symmetry is when a two-dimensional shape is folded or marked so there are two equal parts, or divided in half. For Fractions in first grade, we will study, halves and fourths.
1. Help make sandwiches for lunch. Keep one sandwich whole. Say the shape. Cut one in half. Say the shapes. Cut one in fourths.
2. Roll out the CLAY with a rolling pin and cut out some shapes.
3. Using the CLAY make a sphere, a cube, a cone, and a cylinder.
4. Put examples of some 3-dimensional items in a large paper bag. Reach in and feel the shape without looking. See if you can identify it using the words: sphere, cone, cylinder, cube or box.
5. Using the ATTRIBUTE SHAPES, make a simple picture using the shapes. Trace the shapes on a pper and color it.
6. Get the PATTERN BLOCK SHAPES, TANGRAM, AND PENTOMINOES out and keep them in three separate places on the table. See if you can make three squares (one from each set) using at least three or more pieces. Make three rectangles. Can you make triangles from each set?
7. If you have some paint, make a splotch on one side of a folded paper. Quickly, fold the paper over the paint and rub it. Open to see the symmetrical design that you made. What does it look like? Write a story about it.
8. Fold a paper and cut out a design from the folded side. Open it up to see the symmetry.
9. Go for a symmetry walk outside with a paper and a pencil. Draw pictures of leaves, flowers, windows, etc. that show symmetry. Imagine a line through half of the object. Is it the same on both sides?
10. Ask permission to buy a Hershey bar, a bag of M&Ms and a long rope of licorice or something that could be divided easily. Have several coins to pay for it. Try to count out the money to the clerk, using the larger coins first. Have a little sharing party at home. How could you share the Hershey Bar with 2, 3, 4, or 6 friends? Share the M&Ms by dividing equally, and cut the licorice rope into equal parts for 2 or 4 people.
11. Make a shape concentration game. On 12 index cards or papers draw 2 circles, 2 squares, 2 rectangles, 2 hexagons, and 2 parallelograms. Label with the name underneath. Lay all the cards face down in a random order. Take turns picking two cards. If they are a match, keep the cards and you get another turn. The one with the most cards at the end is the winner.
12. Draw a picture using only geometric shapes. When it’s finished, identify each shape.
13. Make a cone that can be worn as a party hat. Cut a large half circle and overlap the corners and tape the seam.
14. Fold a paper in half and cut a butterfly wing so that when you open it, it will be a symmetrical shape. Use the ATTRIBUTE SHAPES to decorate the wings. Remember to make a symmetrical design. (Don’t glue the shapes, just arrange them).
15. Roll the CLAY into a long snake. Cut in half. Now cut each half in half. How many equal pieces do you have? Cut each of the fourths into halves. How many equal pieces now?
16. Using the yellow hexagon in the PATTERN BLOCKS bag, what two pieces would show the halves of the hexagon? What 3 pieces would show thirds? What six pieces would show sixths? Write the fractions on the CHALKBOARD as you build the pattern blocks on top of the hexagon.