Students begin to explore geometric modeling by constructing shapes from a variety of materials, including toothpicks and clay, paper and glue, or commercial materials. They use templates to draw designs, and record what they have constructed out of pattern blocks and tangrams. They fold, draw, and color shapes. They copy geoboard figures, and construct them both from memory and by following oral or written instructions. They may also use geometric models, such as the number line, for skip counting or repeated addition.
Geometry provides a rich context in which to begin to develop students' reasoning skills.
Students apply thinking skills in geometric tasks from identifying shapes to discovering properties of shapes, creating geometric patterns, and solving geometric puzzles and problems in a variety of ways. They create, describe, and extend geometric patterns. They use attribute blocks to focus on the similarities and differences of objects. Geometry provides a unique opportunity to focus on the First Four Standards, especially Standard 2 which stresses the importance of making connections to other mathematical topics. For example, students often use their understanding of familiar shapes to help build an understanding of fractions.