Surf For More Math

Chapter 11: 3-D Geometry

Designing a Playground

INTRODUCTION

2-D and 3-D shapes are everywhere! You see them at school and at home, in the country and in the city, outside and inside. Once place where shapes are not only seen but also used is in a playground. Do you ever wonder who designs playgrounds? Whoever the designers are, they need to know a lot about shapes to make a great playground!

THE TASK

Ms. McPlayalot, the principal of your school, wants to design and build a new playground for your school, but she needs help! She has asked all the students in your class to get together in groups of two and design the best playground they can. The only rule is you must include as many 2-D and 3-D shapes as possible because more shapes make a better playground. You should be as imaginative as possible, just be sure to use lots of 2-D and 3-D shapes!

You must draw your design and then build a model of your design. The models can be photographed, and you will write a detailed description of your playground to accompany the photo of your model.

THE PROCESS

The first step is to draft your playground, which means making a detailed drawing or ‘plan’ of your playground. Your drawing should look like a diagram that you can follow when you build your model. Using a large, blank sheet of paper, draw your design in pencil. Remember to include as many 2-D and 3-D shapes possible. Visit the following websites to get ideas about playground designs and different pieces you may want to include.

Henderson Recreation Equipment
Blue Imp Play Ideas
Little Tikes
Look at the different 2-D and 3-D shapes that you and your partner have included in your playground. Make sure you can both name and describe all of the different shapes.
Construct a 3-D model of you and your partner’s playground design. You can use all sorts of different materials to create your model, including:

Pipe cleaners
Popsicle sticks
Straws
Glue
Toilet rolls
Cardboard/construction paper
Empty boxes
Modelling clay

You can also ask your teacher for nets of 3-D shapes that you can fold, tape, and use in your model. Go to Nets for 3-D Shapes to get printable versions of various nets.
Write a description of your playground. Write about each piece that you made, identify all the shapes it uses, and explain the purpose of the piece, or why it’s fun!

RESOURCES

Websites:

Henderson Recreation Equipment
Blue Imp Play Ideas
Little Tikes

3-D Nets for Shapes

Materials:
Camera (digital)
Paper and pencils

Construction materials such as:
Pipe cleaners
Popsicle sticks
Straws
Glue
Toilet rolls
Cardboard/construction paper
Empty boxes
Modelling clay

3-D Net

ASSESSMENT

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Problem-Solving and Application of Procedures (design and model of playground)	I did not choose an appropriate variety of shapes and/or the shapes for my playground are very simple. Many of the shapes in my model do not match the shapes in my drawing.	I chose an appropriate variety of shapes for my playground with assistance. A couple of the shapes in my model do not match the shapes in my drawing.	I chose an appropriate variety of shapes for my playground. The shapes in my model match the shapes in my drawing.	I chose a wide variety of appropriate and complex shapes for my playground. The shapes in my model directly match the shapes in my drawing.
Communcation (playground description)	My description is incomplete or inaccurate. I made major error/ommissions when identifying the shapes I used.	My description is mostly accurate. I made a couple of errors/omissions when identifying the shapes I used.	My description is complete and accurate. I made no errors or only minor errors when identifying the shapes I used.	My description is thorough, accurate and insightful. I made no errors in identifying the shapes I used.