Web Quest: Shapes of the Trail

For Grade 5 By

Dana Dawson

Introduction (Top)

Geometric shapes are everywhere in our environment.  It is through the combination of the shapes that we are able to create images and stories.  The students combined geometric shapes to make quilt blocks for our “End of the Trail Quilt.”  (See “Web Quest:  End of the Trail Quilt.)  We will now use this quilt to identify geometric shapes.

Tasks (Top)

The student will identify the geometric shapes in the “End of the Year Quilt.”

Resources (Top)  

Math textbooks

Encyclopedias such as Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99

Process (Top)

1. Using a digital camera take a picture of the “End of the Year Quilt.”
2. Download the image into a graphics editor, like Paint Shop Pro. 
3. Lasso the geometric shapes from the quilt image, copy and paste them on to the Geometric Shape template.  Use the above resources to help determine what the geometric objects are.
4. Print out your Geometric Shape Worksheet and turn it in.

Evaluation (Top)

3 pts per geometric shape identified in the quilt. 
10 pts for technical skill of copy and paste

 Conclusion (Top)

Geometry played an important role in the trek across the continent.  Geometric shapes were everywhere from the round wheels to the radial symmetry of the wheel spokes.  As can be seen in our “End of the Trail Quilt,” the shapes of the trail were many as are their stories.