Problem solving with pentominoes: grades 1-4 activity book

Grades: 1 2 3 4
ENC#: ENC-016461
Publisher: Learning Resources
Date: 1992
Ordering Information
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Subjects:

Mathematics Congruence. Geometry. Process skills. Similarity. Spatial representations. Spatial sense. Tessellations. Transformations. Visualization.

Resource Type:
Lessons and activities; Teacher guides.

Media Type:
Print material.

Abstract:
This activity book, designed for students in grades 1 to 4, contains hands-on puzzle activities in which students explore mathematical concepts such as transformations, area, and congruence. Included are blackline masters and detailed teacher's notes presenting a variety of geometric and spatial concepts. Activities require pentominoes scored in one-inch sections or paper pentominoes printed from a supplied blackline master. The teacher's notes include a manipulative activity to introduce the concept, an overview of each activity page, and a wrap up activity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the mathematical concepts. All activities use the think, show, and share strategy intended to encourage students to think about each puzzle and a possible arrangement of pieces before they begin; to demonstrate their solution strategy to others; and to discuss what they have learned.

In a sample section, Covering Geometric Shapes, students begin by using pentominoes shaped like the letters F and Y to make a series of shapes shown by the teacher on the overhead. In the activities, students cover shapes with different numbers of pentominoes and consider turning and flipping pieces to cover other given shapes. For a wrap up activity, pairs of students create shapes with four pieces and trace around the outline of the shapes. Pairs exchange papers and solve each other's puzzles. Selected solutions are included. (Author/JRS)