The first few weeks of school are filled with teaching students classroom routines and procedures, and many other things depending on your school and school system. While getting these things established, I would squeeze in this activity as it is easy and can serve three purposes:
1. Students will experience a sense of success by doing a very non-threatening activity at the beginning of the school year.
2. It will help students to understand the level of neatness that is expected in future projects that require cutting and gluing down different materials.
3. Each student will have a Geometric Artwork on display in the classroom.
THE ACTIVITY
Who is this activity for? Students in grades 3-5
Objectives: Students will practice and improve their cutting and gluing skills. Students will understand the level of neatness that is expected in future projects that require cutting and gluing down different materials.
Step 1
Students will choose four colored construction papers (9”x12”) and three geometric shapes (2 large, 1 small). These shapes are usually found in math manipulative kits. Students will accurately draw around all their chosen shapes. One geometric shape per sheet.
Step 2
Once they have drawn their shapes, students will cut them out. Now some students may need a demonstration on how to cut on the straight lines. This does not sound very difficult but for some students it is. They are in such a hurry to get the job done that they are not careful with their cutting. Also, they may need to be reminded how to use a pair of scissors and how to cut on the lines of a shape. Once that has been reviewed students can cut out all their shapes.
Step 3
Next, have a discussion around how to glue down all the edges of a shape, especially if using liquid glue. For example, use a thin line or a dot, dot all around the edge of the shape. Often students want to just dab a little glue in the middle of the shape and leave it at that. Of course, this means that edges are left raised, making the work look untidy. As the students will have quite a few shapes to glue down, they will have repeated practice of this skill. This same strategy can also be applied when using a glue stick.
Step 4
Finally, once students have cut out their shapes. They will arrange them into a design and glue their shapes onto their background color.
Once all artwork has been completed, students can be congratulated on the neatness of their work. The artwork can be put on display around the classroom.
I have found that students not only enjoy this activity but also like to see their work on display!
Happy Teaching!
P.S. I have created a Geometric Artwork Resource that can be found in my TPT store. It provides templates for geometric shapes, visuals as guides, and the specific steps to complete the activity.
