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Exploring 3D Structures -

Magna Tiles Adventure

2nd Grade STEM Lesson

Elizabeth Gonzalez

03/06/20234

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Notes for Teachers

Start with a discussion on everyday objects that are three-dimensional (3D) and their relevance in our lives.

Introduce Magna Tiles and discuss their magnetic properties for building 3D structures.

Allow students to explore Magna Tiles, focusing on building simple 3D structures like cubes, rectangular prisms, or pyramids.

Facilitate a class discussion on the different structures created, emphasizing the identification of 3D shapes.

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List of Materials

1600 Magna Tiles (assorted colors and shapes)
Large magnetic whiteboard or surface
Design templates (optional)
Examples of basic geometric shapes, including cubes

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AZ Math Standards

Geometry

2.G.1: Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given number of equal faces. Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes.

2.G.2: Partition a rectangle into rows and columns of same-size squares and count to find the total number of them.

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

AZ Engineering Standards

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Objective(s):

Students in 2nd grade will dive into the world of three-dimensional structures, shapes, and basic engineering principles through hands-on activities using Magna Tiles. This lesson plan aligns with Arizona State Standards for Mathematics and introduces foundational engineering concepts.

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Agenda (45-60 minutes)

Activity 1: Introduction to 3D Structures with Magna Tiles (45 minutes)

Activity 2: Building with 3D Shapes (45 minutes)

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Introduce to 3D Structures with Magna Tiles

Start with a discussion on everyday objects that are three-dimensional (3D) and their relevance in our lives.
Introduce Magna Tiles and discuss their magnetic properties for building 3D structures.
Allow students to explore Magna Tiles, focusing on building simple 3D structures like cubes, rectangular prisms, or pyramids.
Facilitate a class discussion on the different structures created, emphasizing the identification of 3D shapes.
Divide students into small groups and challenge them to build a collaborative 3D structure using Magna Tiles.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Review (15 minutes):

Recap the basic geometric shapes and introduce the concept of 3D shapes.

Introduction to the Project (15 minutes):

Present the main project: Building a 3D structure using Magna Tiles that incorporates specific 3D shapes.
Provide design templates or simple drawings of 3D structures as needed.

Building Time (15 minutes):

Instruct students to work individually or in pairs to recreate the suggested 3D structures using Magna Tiles.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Activity 2: Introduction to 3D Structures with Magna Tiles

Engagement (15 minutes):

Start with a discussion on everyday objects that are three-dimensional (3D) and their relevance in our lives.

Introduce Magna Tiles and discuss their magnetic properties for building 3D structures.

Exploration and Discussion (15 minutes):

Allow students to explore Magna Tiles, focusing on building simple 3D structures like cubes, rectangular prisms, or pyramids.

Facilitate a class discussion on the different structures created, emphasizing the identification of 3D shapes.

Group Activity (15 minutes):

Divide students into small groups and challenge them to build a collaborative 3D structure using Magna Tiles.

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Assessment:

Evaluate students' ability to use Magna Tiles to build 3D structures that incorporate specific 3D shapes.
Observe their participation in group discussions, collaborative building activities, and the engineering challenge.
Assess their problem-solving and engineering skills demonstrated during the design and improvement phases.

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Differentiation

For students who may need additional support, provide one-on-one or small-group remediation by reviewing basic shapes and their attributes.
Offer targeted support to students struggling with the concept of 3D shapes, providing additional examples and hands-on activities.
Provide additional support for students struggling with the engineering challenge by offering alternative challenges or simplified versions.

Extension/Enrichment

Offer optional extension activities for students who grasp the concepts quickly, such as exploring more complex 3D structures or connecting the lesson to real-world architectural examples.

Extension/Enrichment