by C. Elkins, OK Math and Reading Lady
Composing and decomposing geometric shapes (2D and 3D) should be centered around concrete and pictorial methods. In this and upcoming posts, I will illustrate some methods using various manipulatives and line drawings which help students take a shape apart or put shapes together. If you refer back to Geometry Part 1: The Basics, all grade levels KG-5th have standards dealing with this issue. Some of the experiences I plan to share will also help students relate to multiplication, division, fractions, area, and other geometry concepts (such as rotations, reflections, slides).
Refer to Geometry Part 2: van Hiele levels to determine if the activities you are choosing are appropriate for Level 0, 1, or 2 students.
One Inch Color Tiles:
1. Can you make a larger square out of several individual squares?
- Level 0 students will be using the visual aspect of making it look like a square.
- Level 1 students will be checking properties to see if their squares are indeed squares (with the same number of tiles on each side).
- Level 2 students will be noticing they are creating an array (ex: 3 x 3 = 9) and perhaps learning about squared numbers. 3 squared = 9. They might be able to predict the total number of tiles needed when given just the length of one side.
2. How many rectangles can you make using 2 or more squares? (Level 0-1)
- Level 1: Are the green and blue rectangles the same size (using properties to determine)?