Tiles, Blocks, Sapphires & Gold: Designing a Treasure Map
By Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, October 4, 2006
Grade Level
- PreK-1
Category
- Graphic Design
Subject Area
- Arts
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
Lesson Time
Introduction
In this activity, students will engage in active problem solving as they create a design for a map leading to a hidden treasure. They will work in collaborative groups, explore numerical problems, and explain the strategies they used to solve design problems.
National Standards
1. Draws pictures to represent problems
2. Uses discussions with teachers and other students to understand problems
4. Makes organized lists or tables of information necessary for solving a problem
5. Uses whole number models (e.g., pattern blocks, tiles, or other manipulative materials) to represent problems
Standard 2. Level I. Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of numbers
1. Understands that numerals are symbols used to represent quantities or attributes of real-world objects
3. Understands symbolic, concrete, and pictorial representations of numbers (e.g., written numerals, objects in sets, number lines)
Standard 5. Level I. Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of geometry
2. Understands the common language of spatial sense (e.g., "left," "right," "horizontal," "in front of")
9. Uses locomotor skills in rhythmical patterns (e.g., even, uneven, fast, and slow)Standard 2. Uses movement concepts and principles in the development of motor skills2. Understands terms that describe a variety of relationships with objects (e.g., over/under, behind, alongside, through)
1. Makes contributions in class and group discussions (e.g., reports on ideas and personal knowledge about a topic, initiates conversations, connects ideas and experiences with those of others)
2. Asks and responds to questions (e.g., about the meaning of a story, about the meaning of words or ideas)
3. Uses visual structures and functions of art to communicate ideas
Objectives
Students will do the following:
- use varied strategies to solve a design problem involving numbers and space
- explain their strategies to an audience
- create a map using pattern blocks and/or tiles
- create a painting
- create an oral presentation
Resources
Materials
- drawing paper
- paint
- crayons, markers, colored pencils
- pattern blocks
- tiles
Procedures
Building Background
A Walking Trip
The purpose of this activity is to have students demonstrate an understanding of spatial concepts.
1. Ask for student volunteers. Have the selected students follow a set of directions around the classroom.
Use the following directions:
- Walk from one side of the classroom to the other and count how many steps you have taken.
- Take three steps and then turn left and take four steps backward.
- Take five slow steps and five fast steps.
- Turn right and take six steps.
- Turn right, take three steps, and then turn left.
- Walk behind the teacher's desk.
- Walk in front of the teacher's desk.
- Walk to the classroom door, and step over an object on the floor.
2. Vary the directions to give students several opportunities to practice this activity.
Steps for Learning
Treasure Map Design
1. Tell the students that they are going to play a game that involves a hidden treasure, a map, shapes, numbers, and painting.
2. Provide the students with an assortment of small objects that can be used as the "hidden treasure." You can use game pieces, trinkets, beads, etc. Divide the class into small groups. Tell each group that they must select a location to hide their treasure, and write the location down on a piece of paper. Collect students' papers.
3. Tell the students that they must design a map showing where the object is hidden. Give the students pattern blocks or tiles to use to construct the map. After the group has finished making a map with the pattern blocks or tiles, ask them to create a painting based on the map. Tell the students that their painting should tell a story about the location of the hidden treasure, and that the story can be told using shapes, numbers and symbols. Give the students materials to create their paintings.
4. Tell the students that each group must present its painting to the class, and the other groups must guess where the hidden treasure is using only the painting for clues. Encourage students to ask questions about the paintings and the information they contain about the location of the hidden treasure.
Teacher Note: You may also choose to do this activity on a school playground.
5. Discuss the effectiveness of the paintings in giving clues about where the object was hidden. Ask the students what kinds of clues were most helpful and least helpful in locating the hidden treasure.
6. After all the hidden treasures are discovered, ask each group to share its design process. Each group should include the following in its oral presentation:
- An explanation of how the group constructed its map
- An explanation of how the group decided on what clues to use
- An explanation of how the group designed its painting
Assessment
Reflection
Teacher Note: You may wish to complete the reflection component with your students.
-Rate how well your painting gave your classmates clues to find the hidden treasure.
Excellent Good Adequate Poor
-Rate how well you used numbers and shapes to give your classmates clues to find the hidden treasure.
Excellent Good Adequate Poor
-Rate your creativity.
Excellent Good Adequate Poor
-Rate how well you explained your thinking to your classmates.
Excellent Good Adequate Poor
Enrichment Extension Activities
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