Home Works Elementary Education Distance Learning Curriculum

Developed by Annah H.

Photo of Annah H

Essential Question

How do the names, amount of sides, and number of angles of polygons relate? 

Background Knowledge

Students should know what defines a polygon, 2-D polygon names, and sides and angles. 


  • Toothpicks
  • Small marshmallows (or you can use gummies, raisins, etc.)
  • Paper
  • Writing utensil 

Safety Protocol

Students may need parental supervision with toothpicks, as they can be sharp on the ends. 

Activity Procedure

Step 1: Using the marshmallows and the toothpicks, build a 2-dimensional shape that has 3 sides. Toothpicks are the sides of the shape. Join the sides together using a marshmallow. This will make an angle! Make sure each side (toothpick) connects to the other sides with a marshmallow.  

What do you think the relation is between the name of the shape and the amount of sides and angles? What does the prefix tri-mean? 

Step 2: Connect one more toothpick and marshmallow to the 2-D shape. Does it make another shape?   

Now we have another shape. What is it called? How many sides? How many angles? 

Step 3: Continue adding one toothpick and one marshmallow to create shapes. You can make up to eight different shapes!

What are the characteristics of polygons? What are each of the shapes we built called? What is the relationship between sides and angles? 

Step 4: Make a table on your piece of paper (see below under “Resources”). As you continue to construct shapes using toothpicks and marshmallows, record the names of each shape, the amount of sides, and the number of angles in a table.

What is the connection between the names, amount of sides, and number of angles? Write the connection on the same page as your data table. 

Step 4: When you have created eight shapes and filled in the table, look at your written data and the shapes. What connections can you make from the data?  

Step 5: Finally, eat your marshmallows and enjoy the geomeTREATS! 

Step 6: With parent/guardian permission, share the results of your activity on social media using #AUHomeWorks! 


Name of ShapeNumber of SidesNumber of Angles

Last modified: November 10, 2020