Tangrams

Author:  Alice Holste, Ann O’Malley, Randi Longmeyer

Grade: 3rd & 4th

NE Standards:

4.4 Geometry/Spatial Concepts
4.4.1 By the end of fourth grade, students will identify, describe, and create two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes.

Objectives: 

Students will demonstrate the following skills:

Design Tangram objects

Arrange Tangrams according to patterns

Participate in the reading of Grandfather Tang

Identify patterns

Develop spatial skills

 Materials:

Tangram sets for all students

Computers for all students

Lab sheets

Story Grandfather Tang

Procedures:

Springboard (Anticipatory Set): 

Ask students if they know what Tangrams are.  Explain the history of Tangrams to the students. 

Teacher:

1.  Pass out the tangram packets and explain how they need to handle them properly

2.  Explain how during the reading of the story they are going to create the animals found in the story.

3.  Begin reading the story

4.  Allow time for students to form the patterns.

5.  After the story is completed ask students to give comments about the story. 

7.  Pick up classroom and hand out computer lab sheets.  READ them aloud in the classroom so students are prepared.  Review computer lab rules.

8.  Once in computer lab students are to follow instructional sheets. 

9.  The first site that they will visit is http://mathforum.com/alejandre/frisbie/student.jam.html

10.  The second site will help them create more tangrams http://www.mathsyear2000.org/games/Tangram/index.html

Student:

1.  Create tangrams according to the story that they are listening too 

2.  Will read a loud the computer lab worksheets and will review the computer lab rules

3.  Once in the computer lab will be allowed to go at own pace through the lab sheet

Closure:

Students will hand in lab sheets and line up at door.

Assessment:

Students will be given classroom time to explore tangrams and will be assessed by how they can use the shapes to create animals.  How they participate during the reading of the story and during computer lab time will be evaluated.

Explanation:

This particular was chosen to give the students the opportunity to gain more knowledge on the subject of geometry.  Nebraska state standards require that student learn geometry.  In order, for a teacher to meet these standards in math geometry is needed.  One way to have students explore different forms of geometry is through tangrams and using technology.  The Internet provides a unique opportunity for students to gain their new knowledge through a different avenue rather than in regular classroom setting. 

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