Let's figure out shapes. Second graders build a house to learn geometry and appreciate mathematics

A unit on planar and solid shapes was implemented in a second grade class in a suburban school located 25 miles away from a major city on the east coast of the United States. The class is composed of 19 students, 10 female and 9 male.;This unit is an integrated Math, Science and Technology action research study. The main objectives are to (1) teach students the geometrical concept of two-dimensional and three dimensional shapes and (2) improve their attitudes towards mathematics. Within this unit students implement mathematical reasoning, visualization and problem solving strategies while exploring shapes. Additionally, students develop positive attitudes towards math in terms of how they describe math, realize that math is a life skill implemented in everyday activities and that geometry may enhance math skills.;The students applied the concepts learned in this unit to design and build a one two-story house. Students were told that Mr. Trump was looking for new creative and qualified individuals to design a one two-story house and he would like to see a model of this house. The specifications for the design challenge are: use solid shapes for the floors and roof of the house, use planar shapes for the windows, windows must be congruent, use planar shapes for the doors, doors must show the line of symmetry, and the design needs to be colorful and neat to impress Mr. Trump. The design project constrains are: must use materials found in the classroom or at home and must be done in a week.;Students applied their conceptual knowledge in this project and successfully demonstrated to master the conceptual learning objectives established for this unit. Students' completion of this project and active participation in several hands-on activities all throughout the unit also improved students' attitudes towards mathematics. By the end of this unit, students understood the importance of mathematics in everyday activities, described math in a very positive manner and realized that geometry enhanced their math skills.;This unit provided the students with multiple opportunities to construct deeper understanding of geometrical concepts, be able to apply their problem solving skills, and explore concepts on their own. The data gathered from the different assessments showed students' improvement in conceptual knowledge. According to the pre and post attitude math survey, the students became more conscious of the applicability of math. The data suggests that students at the end of this MST unit described math in a more positive way, realized that math can be applied to everyday activities, and that geometry can help them enhance their problem solving skills. Students mentioned that they were able to carry on their design challenge and multiple hands-on activities dealing with problem solving skills all throughout the unit because they built conceptual geometrical knowledge.