Lesson 14
Shapes in Art
Lesson Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for students to put together shapes in a way that makes sense to them.
Lesson Narrative
This lesson gives students an opportunity to look at the shapes in artwork from different cultures. Students may recognize some shapes that they have worked with throughout this unit and may also describe and use shapes that they are unfamiliar with. After looking at different examples, students make their own artwork with shapes. The title of each piece of art is provided because students may be interested in learning more about the artwork and the cultures they represent. The teacher may choose other artwork to share with the class that includes shapes that students can recognize.
The activities in this lesson can be done over the course of 2 lessons to allow students more time to explore and discuss the provided artwork and create and share their own artwork.
- Action and Expression
- MLR7
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Describe shapes and the location of shapes.
- Put shapes together to form larger shapes.
Student Facing
- Let’s find shapes in art and use shapes to make our own art.
Required Materials
Materials to Gather
Materials to Copy
- Shapes in Art
Required Preparation
Activity 2:
- Each student needs cut out paper shapes.
Activity 3:
- Gather materials from:
- Match Mine, Stage 1
- Geoblocks, Stages 1 and 2
- Build Shapes, Stages 1 and 2
- Pattern Blocks, Stages 1–5
- Less, Same, More, Stages 1–4
Lesson Timeline
| Warm-up | 10 min |
| Activity 1 | 15 min |
| Activity 2 | 15 min |
| Activity 3 | 15 min |
| Lesson Synthesis | 5 min |
| Cool-down | 0 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
As you finish up this unit, reflect on the norms and activities that have supported each student in learning math. List ways you have seen each student grow as a young mathematician throughout this work. List ways you have seen yourself grow as a teacher. What will you continue to do and what will you improve upon in Unit 4?