Lesson Plan
Shapes in Tiny Critters
Students will be able to identify and describe basic 2D and 3D shapes (circles, triangles, squares, spheres, cubes) and recognize these shapes in the natural world, specifically in microscopic organisms like diatoms and radiolaria.
Understanding shapes helps us describe the world around us, from the buildings we see to the tiny creatures in the ocean. This lesson makes geometry exciting by showing how math is everywhere, even in things too small to see!
Audience
1st Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Engage students with visuals of microscopic organisms and connect their forms to familiar shapes.
Materials
Slide Deck: Shapes in Tiny Critters, Script: Shapes in Tiny Critters, Worksheet: Drawing Tiny Shapes, Answer Key: Drawing Tiny Shapes Worksheet, Activity: Micro-Shape Creator Activity, Whiteboard or large paper, Markers or crayons, Construction paper (optional), and Pipe cleaners (optional)
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
10 minutes
- Review the Lesson Plan, Slide Deck: Shapes in Tiny Critters, and Script: Shapes in Tiny Critters to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
- Print enough copies of the Worksheet: Drawing Tiny Shapes for each student.
- Prepare materials for the Activity: Micro-Shape Creator Activity (e.g., construction paper, pipe cleaners, or simply extra drawing paper).
- Set up the projector or smartboard for the Slide Deck: Shapes in Tiny Critters.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook: What Are Shapes?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students what shapes they know. Use the Slide Deck: Shapes in Tiny Critters (Slide 1-2) to review basic 2D shapes.
- Introduce the idea that shapes are not just in our classrooms, but all around us, even in tiny, invisible creatures in the ocean! Use the Script: Shapes in Tiny Critters for guidance.
Step 2
Introducing Diatoms & Radiolaria
10 minutes
- Show students images of diatoms and radiolaria using the Slide Deck: Shapes in Tiny Critters (Slides 3-6).
- Explain that these are very tiny living things found in the ocean.
- Guide students to identify familiar shapes within the structures of these organisms. Encourage them to point out circles, triangles, squares, and even some 3D shapes like spheres and cubes if they can spot them.
- Facilitate a short discussion using prompts from the Script: Shapes in Tiny Critters.
Step 3
Shape Hunt & Create Tiny Critters
10 minutes
- Distribute the Worksheet: Drawing Tiny Shapes to each student.
- Instruct students to look at the images of diatoms and radiolaria on the worksheet and circle or color the different shapes they find.
- After the shape hunt, transition to the Activity: Micro-Shape Creator Activity. Students will use art supplies or drawing materials to create their own unique microscopic ocean creature using only shapes. Encourage creativity and the use of various shapes.
Step 4
Share & Conclude
5 minutes
- Have a few students share their drawings/creations and point out the shapes they found or created.
- Reiterate that math, especially geometry, helps us understand the amazing diversity of life, even the tiniest forms.
- Conclude by emphasizing how shapes are fundamental building blocks in nature, from the smallest to the largest things. Use the Slide Deck: Shapes in Tiny Critters (Slide 7) for wrap-up.
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Slide Deck
Welcome, Shape Detectives!
Today, we're going on an adventure to find shapes in a super tiny, invisible world!
Welcome students and get them excited about shapes. Ask them to shout out shapes they know.
What Shapes Do You Know?
- Circle
- Square
- Triangle
- Rectangle
- Star
Review basic 2D shapes. Ask students to identify each one.
Meet Diatoms!
These are super tiny ocean friends called diatoms. Can you spot any shapes?
Introduce the idea of diatoms. Emphasize their tiny size and beauty. Point out some obvious shapes in the image.
More Diatom Shapes!
Look closely! What shapes do you see here? Are they 2D or 3D?
Show another diatom example. Ask students to describe the shapes they see.
And Radiolaria!
These are radiolaria – another amazing tiny ocean creature. What shapes do they have?
Introduce radiolaria. Again, emphasize their microscopic nature and intricate shapes.
Radiolaria's Wonderful World of Shapes
So many shapes in one tiny creature! Circles, triangles, even some sphere-like shapes!
Show a diverse image of radiolaria. Challenge students to find more complex shapes or combinations of shapes.
Shapes Are Everywhere!
From big buildings to tiny ocean life, shapes help us understand our amazing world!
Wrap up the lesson, connecting shapes to the natural world. Encourage curiosity.
Script
Shapes in Tiny Critters Script
Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, my amazing shape detectives! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure. Before we zoom into our adventure, what are some shapes you already know? Shout them out!"
(Allow students to call out shapes like circle, square, triangle, star.)
Teacher: "Fantastic! You know so many shapes! Now, raise your hand if you think shapes are only in our classroom or in the books we read?"
(Pause for responses.) "Well, guess what? Shapes are EVERYWHERE! They're in the chairs we sit on, the windows we look out of, and even in tiny, tiny creatures that live in the ocean that we can't even see with our eyes!"
Introducing Diatoms & Radiolaria (10 minutes)
Teacher: (Display Slide 3: Meet Diatoms!) "Look at this picture! This is a diatom. It's a living thing, just like us, but it's super, super tiny. So tiny, you need a special microscope to see it! Diatoms live in the ocean, and they help make the air we breathe. What shapes do you notice in this diatom?"
(Guide students to see circles, rectangles, or other obvious shapes.) "Yes! I see circles and even some rectangles! It's like a tiny piece of art, made of shapes!"
Teacher: (Display Slide 4: More Diatom Shapes!) "Here's another diatom. What shapes jump out at you in this one?"
(Allow students to identify shapes. Prompt them to think about 3D shapes if they mention things like 'round' instead of 'circle'.) "That's right, it's very round, almost like a ball or a sphere! Good job connecting our 2D shapes to what they might look like if they popped out of the screen!"
Teacher: (Display Slide 5: And Radiolaria!) "Now, get ready for another tiny ocean friend! This is called a radiolarian. Can you say 'radio-larian'?" (Have students repeat.) "Radiolaria are also microscopic, and look at their amazing shapes! What do you see in this radiolarian?"
(Encourage students to identify triangles, circles, and maybe even some pointy star-like shapes.)
Teacher: (Display Slide 6: Radiolaria's Wonderful World of Shapes) "Wow! Look at all the shapes in this radiolarian! It's like a geometric puzzle! Can you find circles? Triangles? Do you see anything that looks like a little fence or a grid?"
Shape Hunt Activity (10 minutes)
Teacher: "You are all becoming expert shape detectives! Now, it's your turn to do some detective work. I'm going to give you a worksheet with pictures of these tiny diatoms and radiolaria."
(Distribute Worksheet: Drawing Tiny Shapes.) "Your job is to look at these pictures and circle or color all the different shapes you can find. Then, on the back, you can try to draw your own tiny ocean creature using only shapes you know! Be creative!"
Teacher: (Circulate and provide assistance as students work. Encourage them to articulate the shapes they are identifying.) "What shape did you find there?" "That's a great triangle! Where else do you see a triangle on this creature?"
Share & Conclude (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, shape detectives, pencils down! Who would like to share one of the shapes they found in their tiny creatures, or show us the tiny creature they drew?"
(Call on a few students to share their work.)
Teacher: (Display Slide 7: Shapes Are Everywhere!) "Excellent work, everyone! You've discovered that shapes are not just in our books or toys; they are fundamental building blocks of the natural world, even in things as small and beautiful as diatoms and radiolaria. Math, especially geometry, helps us understand how amazing and diverse our world is, from the biggest mountains to the tiniest ocean creatures! Keep your eyes open for shapes everywhere you go!"
Worksheet
Drawing Tiny Shapes: Diatoms & Radiolaria
Name: _________________________
Directions: Look closely at the pictures of the diatoms and radiolaria below. Circle or color the different shapes you find in each one! Think about circles, squares, triangles, and more!
Diatom Detective!
Shapes I found:
Radiolaria Ranger!
Shapes I found:
Create Your Own Tiny Ocean Creature!
On the back of this paper, draw your very own tiny ocean creature using only shapes you know! You can use circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, or any other shape you can think of. Give your creature a name!
Activity
Micro-Shape Creator Activity: Design Your Own Ocean Critter!
Name: _________________________
Directions: You've seen the amazing shapes in diatoms and radiolaria. Now it's your turn to be a microscopic artist!
- Gather Your Shapes: Use construction paper, pipe cleaners, or even just your crayons and markers.
- Design Your Creature: Create your very own tiny ocean creature using as many different 2D and 3D shapes as you can! Think about circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, and if you're feeling fancy, spheres and cubes!
- Give it a Name: What will your amazing new creature be called?
- Share Your Shapes: Be ready to tell your classmates what shapes you used to make your creature!
My Tiny Ocean Creature's Name: _________________________
Script
Shapes in Tiny Critters Script
Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)
Teacher: