I mentioned earlier in the week that Selena had learned how to take a rectangle and make it into a square, then by folding the paper again made a triangle. I thought it would be fun to expand on this new found skill.
We started out with the rectangle and I asked Selena to make a square, then we unfolded it and I asked her how many squares make a rectangle? We used her pattern blocks to help her understand this concept easier.
I then took the hexagon, and asked her how many triangles it would take to make this shape. She struggled a bit with this one, so I got her started, basically just showing her how to place two triangles to begin her pattern, she then finished and determined it would take six.
We continued on with the trapezoid shape. Selena was beginning to get tired of this, but I urged she at least try to finish this one. Again I asked her how many triangles it would take to make her trapezoid.
Selena had fun trying to guess the amount of triangles she would need, then trying to see if she had guessed right. I know this will be a definite exercise we will do as often as she will work with it. I personally was never great with geometry, so it is my hope that by starting young, Selena will be better in geometry then I was.
I am linking this up at Joyful Learner, come and see what other families are doing in math.
I never really liked geometry that much either. I didn't like proofs. I liked algebra better. Good activity.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to be working with squares this week, too! Fun and valuable learning for Selena!
ReplyDeleteGreat exercise. I like using simple shapes to build more complex shapes. You might want to read "The Greedy Triangle" - it plays with this idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, and very clever girl! I have a quilt design set that is full of little triangles in all different colors. I should dig it out and see if it helps my son with that lesson - he definitely doesn't know about splitting a rectangle into two squares, square into two triangles, etc. yet. And I'm pretty sure he has never heard of a trapezoid. (Fancier shapes are on my list of things to teach). :)
ReplyDeleteI remember math problems on the SAT that dealt with figuring out area which involved being able to break apart shapes. I had intended on teaching her this concept when JC was older but I guess you can start young as long as it's a game for the child. I love how it began as a natural discovery from Selena!
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