Topic/Theme Statement

My topic will be on geometry. The big ideas will be to identify shapes in English and use the
attributes of polygons to understand the definitions on a relational level. The big questions will be:
What is geometry? Why should we learn about it? What are shapes? How do shapes relate to one
another and us? How have shapes been misused? How can we use this knowledge to benefit
others? How do we use shapes to communicate? How do other cultures use shapes? How does our
knowledge about shapes change the way we view the world? At the end of the unit, students will
see that there are many regular shapes that make up our world and play an important part to our
lives. They will explore properties that define what categorizes a shape and understand that shapes
relate to one another based on their definitions. Lastly, they will experience firsthand how we can
choose to use our knowledge of geometry for good to benefit others around us.
Since my class normally learns math in Chinese, they miss their mathematical vocabulary in
English. This doesn't help when students are taking standardized tests or when other teachers give
them spatial instructions. For example, one day Mrs. D asked the class to draw parallel lines for
their project. The class had no idea what she was asking for until she modeled parallel lines with her
arms. They then replied with the Chinese word for parallel lines and proceeded with the project.
Not only will my lesson on geometry be helpful for vocabulary, but some concepts are too
difficult without a strong foundation in another language. Understanding that a square is also a
rectangle which is also a parallelogram which is also a polygon can be very confusing. Spending a
day on it might not take all the students to a mastery level, but they will have a strong foundation
that can be built upon in Chinese math. Normally, they have a Chinese translation of
enVisionMATH, but we will be using the English version that the rest of the school uses:
enVisionMATH Common Core-grade 3, by Scott Foresman and Addision Wesley.
I'm super excited for these topics, because they have great applications that will motivate the
students through hands on learning. Adding multiple ways of representation, expression, and
engagement will help break down the barrier that is up for them in the English vocabulary. It will

also help engage my learners who constantly tell me they dont like math because they are not
good at it. I am hoping that after my lesson, which encourages multiple answers and reasoning,
rather than right or wrong, they will see math in a new light. Math, including geometry, is
something everyone can and should learn.