Lesson Plan
Are They the Same Shape? Lesson Plan
Students will be able to define what congruent shapes are and accurately identify pairs of congruent shapes.
Understanding congruence helps us compare and classify shapes, recognize patterns, and see how geometry applies to the world around us, from art to architecture!
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Direct instruction, visual examples, and interactive practice.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Markers or Chalk, Congruent Shapes Slide Deck, Congruent Shapes Warm-Up, Congruent Shapes Worksheet, and Congruent Shapes Cool-Down
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Congruent Shapes Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Congruent Shapes Warm-Up and Congruent Shapes Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure projector/smartboard is set up and ready.
- Review the Congruent Shapes Cool-Down for the end of the lesson.
- Gather any real-world examples of congruent shapes (optional, e.g., two identical books, two same-sized paper plates).
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Begin by distributing the Congruent Shapes Warm-Up.
- Project Slide 1 and ask students to complete the warm-up, thinking about what 'same' means for shapes.
- Discuss student responses, leading into the concept of congruence.
Step 2
What are Congruent Shapes?
10 minutes
- Project Slide 2 and introduce the term 'congruent'. Explain it means 'same size and same shape'.
- Use Slides 3-5 to show examples and non-examples of congruent shapes, emphasizing that orientation doesn't matter.
- Engage students with questions: 'Are these congruent? Why or why not?' (Refer to Congruent Shapes Slide Deck for visuals and talking points).
- Distribute the Congruent Shapes Worksheet for guided practice.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Finding Congruent Shapes
10 minutes
- Work through the first few problems on the Congruent Shapes Worksheet together as a class, using the Congruent Shapes Slide Deck (Slides 6-8) for visual support.
- Encourage students to explain their reasoning.
- Circulate around the room, providing individual support as students continue working on the worksheet independently.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Quickly review some answers from the Congruent Shapes Worksheet.
- Project Slide 9 and distribute the Congruent Shapes Cool-Down.
- Ask students to complete the cool-down to demonstrate their understanding of congruent shapes.
- Collect cool-downs as an exit ticket.
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Slide Deck
Are They the Same Shape?
Warm-Up Time!
Take a look at the shapes on your warm-up sheet.
Which pairs do you think are exactly the same?
What makes them 'the same' in your opinion?
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Explain that they will be exploring shapes and what it means for them to be 'the same'. Hand out the warm-up activity. Encourage students to draw on their prior knowledge of shapes.
What Does 'Congruent' Mean?
Shapes are congruent if they have the:
- Same Size
- Same Shape
Think of it like two identical puzzle pieces! They fit together perfectly, even if you turn one around.
Introduce the term 'congruent'. Emphasize the two key aspects: same size AND same shape. Give a simple analogy if helpful, like two identical cookies from the same mold.
Congruent Examples
Look at these pairs of shapes:
- Two identical squares.
- Two identical triangles, one rotated.
- Two identical stars.
Do they have the same size? Yes!
Do they have the same shape? Yes!
They are congruent!
Show clear examples. Point out how even when rotated or flipped, the shapes maintain their original size and form. Ask students to observe the shared characteristics.
Not Congruent Examples
Look at these pairs of shapes:
- A small square and a large square (Different Size).
- A triangle and a circle (Different Shape).
- A thin rectangle and a wide rectangle (Different Shape).
Do they have the same size? Maybe, but not always!
Do they have the same shape? No!
They are not congruent.
Show non-examples. Clearly explain why each pair is not congruent (either different size, different shape, or both). This helps solidify the definition by contrasting.
Orientation Doesn't Matter!
A shape can be turned, flipped, or slid, but it can still be congruent to another shape!
As long as it's the same size and same shape, it's congruent.
Imagine two identical stamps. You can turn one upside down, but it's still the same stamp!
Reinforce that orientation doesn't change congruence. Use hands-on gestures if possible, rotating or flipping an object to demonstrate it's still the same object.
Time to Practice!
Now it's your turn to be a shape detective!
Get out your Congruent Shapes Worksheet.
Let's work through the first problem together to make sure we understand.
Transition to the worksheet. Explain that they will apply what they've learned. Guide them through the first problem or two, modeling how to check for congruence.
Worksheet Practice
Remember to ask yourself:
- Are the shapes the same size?
- Are the shapes the same shape?
If both are 'yes,' then they are congruent!
Continue guiding through the worksheet. This slide can be used as a visual reference while students work. Provide prompts for discussion.
Independent Work
Continue working on your Congruent Shapes Worksheet.
If you finish early, double-check your answers!
Don't forget to use your definition of congruent shapes: same size, same shape.
Give students time to work independently. Circulate and assist. This slide can serve as a visual reminder of the task.
Wrap Up: How Did We Do?
Let's quickly review some of our answers from the worksheet.
Now, for our Congruent Shapes Cool-Down:
Show what you know about congruent shapes! This helps me see what you learned today.
Wrap up the lesson. Collect the worksheets for review. Introduce the cool-down as a quick check for understanding. Emphasize that this helps them reflect on their learning.
Warm Up
Congruent Shapes Warm-Up
Name: ________________________
Directions: Look at the pairs of shapes below. Circle the pairs that look exactly the same in size and shape, even if one is turned differently.
Pair 1:
Pair 2:
Pair 3:
Pair 4:
Challenge Question:
What does it mean for two shapes to be "exactly the same"? Write your ideas below.
Worksheet
Congruent Shapes Worksheet: Shape Detectives!
Name: ________________________
Directions: For each problem, look at the shapes. Circle the shapes that are congruent to the first shape in the row. Remember, congruent means same size and same shape!
Problem 1:
First Shape: 
Which are congruent?
Problem 2:
First Shape: 
Which are congruent?
Problem 3:
First Shape: 
Which are congruent?
Problem 4:
First Shape: 
Which are congruent?
Draw Your Own!
Draw two shapes that are congruent. Label them "A" and "B".
Draw two shapes that are NOT congruent. Label them "C" and "D".
Cool Down
Congruent Shapes Cool-Down
Name: ________________________
Directions: Answer the questions below to show what you learned about congruent shapes today.
1. What does the word congruent mean when we talk about shapes?
2. Look at the shapes below. Circle the two shapes that are congruent.
3. Draw a shape that is congruent to the triangle below.
Answer Key
Congruent Shapes Answer Key
Congruent Shapes Warm-Up Answer Key
Directions: Look at the pairs of shapes below. Circle the pairs that look exactly the same in size and shape, even if one is turned differently.
Pair 1:
- Answer: Not congruent (different sizes).
Pair 2:
- Answer: Congruent (same size, same shape, just rotated). Circle this pair.
Pair 3:
- Answer: Not congruent (different shapes).
Pair 4:
- Answer: Congruent (same size, same shape). Circle this pair.
Challenge Question:
What does it mean for two shapes to be "exactly the same"? Write your ideas below.
- Possible Answer: It means they have the same size and the same shape. You could perfectly overlap one on top of the other, even if one is turned or flipped.
Congruent Shapes Worksheet Answer Key
Directions: For each problem, look at the shapes. Circle the shapes that are congruent to the first shape in the row. Remember, congruent means same size and same shape!
Problem 1:
First Shape:
Which are congruent?
(Circle this one) (Circle this one)
Problem 2:
First Shape:
Which are congruent?
(Circle this one) (Circle this one) (Circle this one)
Problem 3:
First Shape:
Which are congruent?
(Circle this one) (Circle this one)
Problem 4:
First Shape:
Which are congruent?
(This is tricky! It's the same size but a different color. Congruence is about size and shape, not color. It is congruent if we ignore color.) (Circle this one) (Circle this one)
Draw Your Own!
Draw two shapes that are congruent. Label them "A" and "B".
- Expected Answer: Students should draw two shapes that are identical in size and form, e.g., two circles of the exact same radius, two squares with the exact same side lengths.
Draw two shapes that are NOT congruent. Label them "C" and "D".
- Expected Answer: Students should draw two shapes that are either different sizes, different shapes, or both, e.g., a small triangle and a large triangle, or a square and a circle.
Congruent Shapes Cool-Down Answer Key
1. What does the word congruent mean when we talk about shapes?
- Answer: Congruent means that two shapes are exactly the same size and exactly the same shape.
2. Look at the shapes below. Circle the two shapes that are congruent.
(Circle this one) (Circle this one)
3. Draw a shape that is congruent to the triangle below.
- Expected Answer: Students should draw an identical triangle, maintaining the same side lengths and angles as the example triangle.