Lines, Line Segments, & Rays Oh My!
According to the common core, students moves from learning about square units and area in the 3rd grade to learning about lines and line segment in the 4th grade. So the next stop on this geometry train is learning about lines, line segments, and rays. One of the major obstacles in learning about something is not knowing the proper terminology. I believe that students need to have a strong foundation to help them excel further in math. I found a simple chart that provided the term, a physical representation, and definition for these terms.
This was a good refresher for me for the different terms that are used in geometry. We all know what points and lines are but they have specific connotations when used in geometry. I also went through a quick video I found on Khan Academy that further reinforced my understanding about how these terms are related and how they are the same. After the video, there was a review which I took.
I also found and completed a worksheet to help reinforce these terms. (https://www.mathworksheets4kids.com/line-ray-segment/mcq1.pdf)
As important as learning these terms are, the subject is kind of dry and would seem that way to students. I was able to find a great activity that can be helpful in engaging the students more with this type of lesson. The activity involves using candy and toothpicks to make each of the different terms.
The idea is to use mini marshmallows, toothpicks (or pretzel sticks), and candy corn ( or another triangle shaped candy). The mini marshmallows are used as the points. A line can be made using the toothpick/pretzel stick and connecting it with two marshmallows and two candy corns, to show that the line counties indefinitely. The ray can be made using two mini marshmallows, one candy corn, and a toothpick/pretzel stick. I thought that this was a fun (and yummy!) way to help students learn about what each of these terms mean.
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