Shoebox Project - "A Surprise Room"

We are going to be creating a fun, imagination -filled holiday surprise room.  You'll need one shoebox that you tilt the bottom portion of the box and have it rest on the lid creating a space.  The object is to incorporate as many mathematical principles as possible.  A sample will be displayed at conference time.
I will look for the following Math Standards in the written portion of the project to match the visual display:

On the floor of your shoebox room, compose and decompose shapes (e.g., cut a square into two right triangles or put two squares together to make a rectangle.)  In other words, create an interesting floor pattern that repeats and be able to describe the pattern.  Math Standard 1.3.3

Use number words in your description of your space.  Example:  I have three tables and only four people can enter the room at a time.  How many toys would there be and how many pieces of furniture?
How tall would the ceilings be when using your imagination?

Describe the walls, ceiling height and how big the room would be in your description.  Use addition problems in your written description perhaps adding up the gifts in the room and how many of them might go to whom. Some students in my past have made the room for a sick child or a poor child from another country, or yes, for themselves.  Think about using the concept of commutative (4+2=2+4) when talking with your child.  Also use identity (0+3=3) properties of addition to solve problems involving basic facts.  Using them in a real setting helps to make math make sense.  Math Standard 1.2.4

Describe the attributes of the shapes in your space.  Are there round objects or how many corners does one of the shapes and how many sides does it have?  Also describe how the shapes are alike and how they are different. Math Standard 1.3.1

Possible two demensional shapes to include:  circle, square, rhombus, hexagon, rectangle, triangle, oval
Possible three demensional shapes to include:  cylinder, cube,  cone,  retangular prism, triangular prism, sphere, pyramid. Math Standard 1.3.4

Again, I will have a sample room to view at conference time.  This should be a fun way to begin applying and learning about shapes and how math is used in creative ways.

Project will be due on December 16 and 17.  We will have presentations where the kids will read their written description of their room. 

Please use ordinary things and objects that are found around your home.  The sample is made from little toys and objects laying in the corners of boxes at my house.  Most of all, have fun!!