Lesson Plan Using Unifix Cubes

Grade Level - First Grade
Content Area - Math
Length of Lesson - 42 - 60 minutes
Behavioral Objective - The students will be able to make patterns, shapes, numbers, words, and letters using Unifix Cubes.
Aim - Can you work with the Unifix Cubes to make patterns, shapes, numbers, words, and letters?

Motivational Activity - I will show the students the unifix cubes and the different designs I had made with them. I will ask the students to try to guess what the designs are.

Procedure -
1. First I will do my motivational activity.
2. Next I will distribute the Unifix Cubes and have the children explore the different colors and the feel of how they work.
3. I will show the students how to fit them together to form different shapes.
4. I will then explain the class activity. The task is to construct a pattern, a shape, a number, a word, or a letter using the Unifix Cubes.
5. I will divide the class into groups of two.
6. Each group will get a tray of Unifix Cubes.
7. After the groups are finished making their design I will distribute a piece of white drawing paper and the students will trace their design on this paper.
8. I will direct the students to work in different parts of the classroom.
9. As the students are working I will walk around the room giving praise and support when needed.
10. I will ask higher order thinking questions such as follows: What are some of the different things you can make with the Unifix Cubes? Why do we use the Unifix Cubes? Do you enjoy using manipulatives to help you learn new material? What are some other subjects we can use them for? What designs did you make?

Conclusion - When the activity is finished I will call on the groups of students to come to the front of the room so they can share their designs. They will tell what the design is and how they came upon doing that particular design. I will have student monitors walk around the room and collect the trays of Unifix Cubes.

Follow-up - I will explain to the students that we can use Unifix Cubes to help us learn addition, subtraction, number sentences, shapes, and patterns. For Language Arts I will have the students create a story using their designs. For developing Cooperative Group Work Strategies I will direct each group to decide on one design they will create and how each student will contribute one part to that design.

Materials - trays, Unifix Cubes, white drawing paper, crayons, pencils, chalk

Homework - Draw a design and see if you can match up the Unifix cubes to fit it.