Activity Overview
In geometry, there is a lot of new vocabulary for students to master. Not only do they need to identify shapes such as rectangle and triangle, but they need to be able to identify parts of shapes, such as base, leg, obtuse angle, vertex, and more! Building charts for students or with students can help them organize new concepts and have a point of reference for review. In this activity, students will create an illustration and provide a definition for each geometry term.
Students recognize squares, circles, and triangles easily enough, but words such as “ray” and “perpendicular” are usually new terms. These unfamiliar words are also fundamental in understanding more complicated geometry. Keep charts clean and simple as much as possible. If the example pictures on the chart are too distracting, try a separate slideshow with multiple examples as you go over new words with your group or class.
Suggested Beginning Geometry Terms
| Point | A single location in space or on a flat surface |
|---|---|
| Line | A collection of points that continues forever in both directions |
| Line Segment | A part of a line with two endpoints |
| Ray | A part of a line with one endpoint |
| Angle | Two rays that share an endpoint |
| Parallel Lines | Lines that never intersect |
| Intersecting Lines | Lines that pass through the same point |
| Perpendicular Lines | Lines that intersect and form four right angles |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a chart that defines and illustrates examples of geometry terms.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the columns "Picture", "Names", "Definition", and "Example".
- In the names column, use textables to type the geometry terms you will put on your chart.
- Create a picture for each term, use textables to define it, and provide a real life example of the term.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
Activity Overview
In geometry, there is a lot of new vocabulary for students to master. Not only do they need to identify shapes such as rectangle and triangle, but they need to be able to identify parts of shapes, such as base, leg, obtuse angle, vertex, and more! Building charts for students or with students can help them organize new concepts and have a point of reference for review. In this activity, students will create an illustration and provide a definition for each geometry term.
Students recognize squares, circles, and triangles easily enough, but words such as “ray” and “perpendicular” are usually new terms. These unfamiliar words are also fundamental in understanding more complicated geometry. Keep charts clean and simple as much as possible. If the example pictures on the chart are too distracting, try a separate slideshow with multiple examples as you go over new words with your group or class.
Suggested Beginning Geometry Terms
| Point | A single location in space or on a flat surface |
|---|---|
| Line | A collection of points that continues forever in both directions |
| Line Segment | A part of a line with two endpoints |
| Ray | A part of a line with one endpoint |
| Angle | Two rays that share an endpoint |
| Parallel Lines | Lines that never intersect |
| Intersecting Lines | Lines that pass through the same point |
| Perpendicular Lines | Lines that intersect and form four right angles |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a chart that defines and illustrates examples of geometry terms.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the columns "Picture", "Names", "Definition", and "Example".
- In the names column, use textables to type the geometry terms you will put on your chart.
- Create a picture for each term, use textables to define it, and provide a real life example of the term.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | The definition is correct. | The definition is partially correct. | The definition is incorrect. |
| Visualizations | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand. | The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
How Tos about Geometry Terms
Organize geometry vocabulary with interactive word walls
Set up a classroom word wall for geometry terms by displaying key vocabulary words alongside student-created illustrations and definitions. Rotate terms weekly to keep students engaged and help reinforce learning throughout your geometry unit.
Invite students to personalize their vocabulary cards
Encourage students to design their own vocabulary cards by drawing pictures and writing definitions in their own words. This builds ownership and makes abstract terms more memorable for young learners.
Use real-life examples to connect terms to everyday experiences
Ask students to find and share real-life objects that match geometry terms, such as a clock for a circle or a window for a rectangle. Making connections to daily life helps deepen understanding and recall.
Incorporate movement activities for kinesthetic learning
Organize quick movement games where students form shapes, lines, or angles with their bodies. Physical activity makes abstract geometry terms more concrete and fun to learn.
Frequently Asked Questions about Geometry Terms
What are the basic geometry terms every elementary student should know?
Basic geometry terms for elementary students include point, line, line segment, ray, angle, parallel lines, intersecting lines, and perpendicular lines. Mastering these helps students build a strong foundation in geometry.
How can teachers help students learn and remember geometry vocabulary?
Teachers can use visual vocabulary charts, interactive activities, and real-life examples to help students learn and remember geometry terms. Creating simple, organized charts with pictures and definitions makes review easy and effective.
What is a good classroom activity for teaching geometry terms?
A great activity is having students create a chart where they draw and label each geometry term, write a definition, and give a real-life example. This hands-on approach boosts understanding and retention.
Why is it important for students to understand terms like ray and perpendicular?
Understanding terms like ray and perpendicular is essential because they form the building blocks for more advanced geometry concepts and problem-solving later on.
What is the difference between a line, a line segment, and a ray?
A line extends forever in both directions, a line segment has two endpoints, and a ray starts at one point and goes on forever in one direction. All are made up of points.
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