Grade 1 Math: Geometry and Transformations unit
Students sort flat shapes and solid objects by one feature at a time, count sides and corners, build solids and find the flat shapes on them, and check for matching halves. They then use position words and arrow cards to say where things are and to give and follow directions on a grid. They finish by making a treasure map and sharing the directions.
What's included
- Unit overviewBig ideas, expectations by code, learning goals and success criteria
- Day-by-day calendar14 days planned, including catch-up and review days
- 10 three-part lessonsMinds On, Action and Consolidation, with timings, questions to ask and common mistakes
- Lesson slidesA ready-to-project deck for every lesson: goals, worked examples, discussion questions and exit tickets, with your lesson steps in the speaker notes
- Student worksheets with answer keys71 questions in all, every numeric answer checked by software
- Diagnostic and quick checksA Day 1 diagnostic and 3 quick checks to adjust your teaching
- Performance task and rubric“The treasure map”, with a rubric across all four achievement chart categories
- Unit test and answer key16 marks, sorted by achievement chart category
- AccommodationsSupports for students with IEPs, English language learners, and extensions
Look inside
These are real pages from the unit.
Day-by-day calendar
| Day | Lesson or assessment | Expectations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic and unit launch | |
| 2 | Lesson 1: Sort shapes by one rule | E1.1 |
| 3 | Lesson 2: Sides and corners | E1.1 |
| 4 | Lesson 3: Meet the solids | E1.1 |
| 5 | Lesson 4: Sort solids and find the rule | E1.1 |
| 6 | Lesson 5: Build solids and find shapes on them | E1.2 |
| 7 | Lesson 6: Matching halves | E1.3 |
| 8 | Lesson 7: Above, below, left and right | E1.4 |
| 9 | Lesson 8: Behind, in front, between and next to | E1.4 |
| 10 | Lesson 9: Move on a grid | E1.5 |
| 11 | Lesson 10: Give and follow directions | E1.5 |
| 12 | Performance task, part 1 | E1.1, E1.4, E1.5 |
| 13 | Performance task, part 2 | E1.1, E1.4, E1.5 |
| 14 | Unit test (read aloud) | E1.1, E1.2, E1.3, E1.4, E1.5 |
Lesson 1: Sort shapes by one rule
Learning goal: We are learning to sort shapes by one feature and to say the rule.
Success criteria:
- I can sort shapes by colour, size or shape.
- I can say my sorting rule.
Minds On (8 min)
- Ask five students with different shoes or sweaters to stand in two groups. Ask: "How did I sort us?"
- Show that the same group can be sorted a new way.
Action (25 min)
- Model sorting a small pile of blocks into two hoops by colour. Say the rule: "All red here, all blue there."
- Partners sort their own bag, then sort the same blocks a different way.
- Partners hide their rule. The other student guesses it.
- Complete the worksheet.
Consolidation (8 min)
- Show two sorted groups and have students whisper the rule to a partner.
- Exit: "How are these shapes sorted?"
Sort and find the rule
Look at the picture. Follow the question.
- Circle all the red shapes.
- Circle all the small shapes.
- Circle all the squares.
- How were the shapes sorted? Circle one.
- Which shape does not belong? Circle it.
Answer keys with worked steps are in the Teacher Guide.
Performance task: The treasure map
Make a treasure map. Show how to get to the treasure.
| Category | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge and Understanding | Level 1: needs a lot of help to sort or give directions. | Level 2: sorts and gives directions with some help. | Level 3: sorts by one rule and gives directions in order with position words. | Level 4: names the rule, uses several position words and gives directions that avoid problems. |
| Thinking | Level 1: needs a lot of help to sort or give directions. | Level 2: sorts and gives directions with some help. | Level 3: sorts by one rule and gives directions in order with position words. | Level 4: names the rule, uses several position words and gives directions that avoid problems. |
| Communication | Level 1: needs a lot of help to sort or give directions. | Level 2: sorts and gives directions with some help. | Level 3: sorts by one rule and gives directions in order with position words. | Level 4: names the rule, uses several position words and gives directions that avoid problems. |
| Application | Level 1: needs a lot of help to sort or give directions. | Level 2: sorts and gives directions with some help. | Level 3: sorts by one rule and gives directions in order with position words. | Level 4: names the rule, uses several position words and gives directions that avoid problems. |
Lessons in this unit
- Sort shapes by one ruleLearning to sort shapes by one feature and to say the rule.E1.1
- Sides and cornersLearning to count the sides and corners of flat shapes.E1.1
- Meet the solidsLearning to name solid objects and tell if they roll or stack.E1.1
- Sort solids and find the ruleLearning to sort solids by one feature and to say the rule.E1.1
- Build solids and find shapes on themLearning to build solids and find the flat shapes on them.E1.2
- Matching halvesLearning to find and make shapes that have matching halves.E1.3
- Above, below, left and rightLearning to tell where things are with above, below, left and right.E1.4
- Behind, in front, between and next toLearning to use behind, in front, between and next to.E1.4
- Move on a gridLearning to follow arrows to move on a grid.E1.5
- Give and follow directionsLearning to give and follow directions to get from one place to another.E1.5
Ontario curriculum expectations covered
- E1.1
- Sort flat shapes and solid objects by one feature at a time, and name the rule used.
- E1.2
- Build solid objects and find the flat shapes that appear on them.
- E1.3
- Make and talk about shapes and objects whose two halves match.
- E1.4
- Tell where people and things are by using position words.
- E1.5
- Tell a friend how to get somewhere, and follow directions from a friend.
Questions about this unit
How long is this unit?
14 school days: 10 lessons plus a diagnostic, a catch-up day, a two-day performance task, a review day and the unit test.
Which expectations does it cover?
E1.1, E1.2, E1.3, E1.4, E1.5 from Mathematics (2020), Strand E (Spatial Sense), overall expectation E1.
What format are the files?
Each unit comes as a Teacher Guide and Student Pages, both as editable Word files and print-ready PDFs, plus a PowerPoint deck of lesson slides. The Word files open in Google Docs and the slides open in Google Slides, so you can change anything.
Can I share it with my colleagues?
A single licence is for one teacher's classes. For a grade team, the team licence covers up to 5 teachers at one school for $49.99.
What if it isn't right for my class?
Email help@unitplans.ca within 7 days of buying for a full refund.