Show fifth graders a variety of mosaics from art museums and excavation sites to inspire a mosaic project. Students will apply art and math skills as they create their own mosaics with paper, tiles or pebbles. After showing students a series of examples, allow them to choose one mosaic to inspire their own work. Teachers then ask students to create a mosaic with whatever supplies are available. For a quick and easy project, use glue and construction paper cut into various shapes to create the mosaic. If time and resources are available, allow students to use tiles and grout or pebbles and rubber cement to complete their projects.
Encourage fifth graders to experiment with shapes digitally on classroom computers. Many word processing programs allow users to bring shapes into their documents. Have students create logos for fictitious businesses using shapes and other graphic design elements. Show examples of business logos that use geometric shapes to inspire students. Doritos, Starbucks and Delta Airlines are just a few products and companies that have a variety of shapes in their logos.
Creating model bridges allows fifth-grade students to exercise their geometry, physics and engineering skills. Explain the different types of bridges used around the world before beginning the project. Different shapes used in engineering provide different types of support for bridges. For example, truss bridges use triangles to support the weight of cars, trains, people and trucks. After you have provided an overview of how bridges work, have student use lines and shapes to sketch out their own bridges. Then, ask them to build a model of the bridge using Popsicle sticks and glue. When all students have completed the project, test which bridge is the strongest using weights.
Paper is a versatile, inexpensive medium that allows fifth graders to build and construct two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. Find three-dimensional shape templates online to enable students to build shape models in class. Have students compare area, volume and perimeter of the shapes they create. In addition, use origami to bring art and geometry together in class. Origami projects challenge students to fold triangles, squares and rectangles to create various animals and objects. Even a simple paper airplane may become a lesson on math and geometry.