Geometric Figures Goose Chase

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

4

Overview

In this learning activity, students will collaboratively play an interactive online scavenger hunt for geometric figures including quadrilateral, trapezoid, rhombus, parallelogram, rectangle, square, right triangle, acute triangle, obtuse triangle, angles (right, acute, and obtuse), parallel lines, and perpendicular lines using the GooseChase app.  

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Gap Project.

Phase

After/Explain/Elaborate
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 4

MA19.4.28

Identify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines or the presence or absence of angles of a specified size.

UP:MA19.4.28

Vocabulary

  • Two-dimensional figure
  • Parallel lines
  • Perpendicular lines
  • Angle
  • Right triangle

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Two lines are parallel if they never intersect and are an equal distance apart.
  • Two lines are perpendicular if they are at right angles to each other.
  • A right triangle is a triangle that has one right angle.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines.
  • Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of angles of a specified size.
  • Identify right triangles.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • shapes are categorized based on attributes they possess in common such as angle size, side length, side relationships (parallel and perpendicular).

Learning Objectives

The students will identify geometric figures including quadrilateral, trapezoid, rhombus, parallelogram, rectangle, square, right triangle, acute triangle, obtuse triangle, angles (right, acute, and obtuse), parallel lines, and perpendicular lines in real-world figures.

Activity Details

This learning activity is best if used after teaching a lesson on geometric figures.

Introduce this learning activity by reviewing geometric figures including quadrilateral, trapezoid, rhombus, parallelogram, rectangle, square, right triangle, acute triangle, obtuse triangle, angles (right, acute, and obtuse), parallel lines, and perpendicular lines and their definitions.  

Place students into groups. Each group will need an internet connected device. (For this scavenger hunt, the groups will need to be larger depending on the number of students in your class because the free version of the GooseChase app is limited to only three teams.) The students will work collaboratively in their groups to complete this interactive online scavenger hunt to find real-world geometric figures.  

Choose one item in the hunt that students must draw or define on paper and upon completion of the scavenger hunt have each group share their item with the class. These may also be posted on the class bulletin board.

Assessment Strategies

The students will be assessed on accurately completing the scavenger hunt. 

The GooseChase app will allow the teacher to choose the number of points to assign for each item on the scavenger hunt. The app will then assign the points when the team completes that item during the hunt.

Variation Tips

The GooseChase app is free. However, the free version is limited to five teams. This means larger classrooms will need to be divided into larger groups or will need to alternate this scavenger hunt. To solve this problem, this scavenger hunt can be used as a "station" activity and students can even alternate station days.

Background / Preparation

The students will need an internet connected device (one device per group of students).

The teacher should be somewhat familiar with the GooseChase app prior to the activity. - Please see Variation Tips for further information regarding this app.

The teacher will need to create a free account in the GooseChase app. After creating your account, you may add a new mission. The GooseChase app allows students to complete missions created by teachers. The missions include a list of instructions they must follow to receive points. Sometimes they will submit a photo or video, while other times they might check-in to a specific location or solve a puzzle or riddle about a specific object or subject. Students receive the points immediately, but some submissions can be reviewed by the organizer as well allowing for bonus points if they are extremely impressive!

Examples of items for a mission on Geometric Figures:  

(1) Video one member of your group defining a parallelogram.

(2) Draw a picture of a rhombus and submit.

(3) Find something in your classroom that forms a right angle and snap a photo.

(4) What geometric figure is described in the following riddle?

       I am a type of shape

       The number of sides I have is four

       I am not a square or a diamond

       Instead, I am the shape of the door.

(5) Make up a song with the other members of your group about a geometric figure and video your group singing your song.

(6) Find the green quadrilateral in the room.  What word is written under it?

(7) Use your arms to make a geometric figure and snap a photo.

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