Module 10

Nets Activity

How could you use a similar activity with students in the classroom? Were you able to complete the activity without too much frustration? What are some anticipated issues while doing this activity with students? 

I thought thus activity was fun. I did not find it frustrating at all and found each x spot correctly. I think that this required a different level of thinking, and would be great to try in the classroom. I would set up different groups and have various pentominoes, hexominoes, and tetrominoes and ask the students to find various shapes.  I think that some issues would be that the students would be tempted to just create and fold the paper and not try to think about which ones could create the shape.

Did you find this activity hard?

Textbook Reading

All the questions on page 60 will aid you in your reading. You are encouraged to include your answers to all of the questions on your blog but you must answer number 4 and at least one more

Spatial Readings/Building Plans

In your blogs, talk about these three experiences and answer the required questions: 
 Did you find any of these activities challenging? If so, what about the activity made it challenging?

I did not find this activity challenging. I remember doing something similar when I was in elementary school. I always found it fun to do.

 Why is it important that students become proficient at spatial visualization? 

It is important because we need spatial visualization in our everyday lives. When students see things out in the real world, like merging traffic lanes, a student must understand how to interpret this in order to follow traffic correctly.
Do you know of any example of spatial visualization in the real world?

 At what grade level do you believe students are ready for visual/spatial activities 

I think it should be taught at an early age like third grade. I think that they have the ability to understand what it is and how it can affect us.

 How can we help students become more proficient in this area? 

I think just giving the students time to practice with spatial visualizations, whether with blocks, cubes, on the computer, etc. The more the student is exposed to it, the better they will master spacial visualization

Tangrams

Begin this section by attaching a picture of the tangram pieces that you created with your paper. Throughout this module, you are asked to respond to a variety of questions. Choose at least two of the questions from this module to include in your blog. You are encouraged to choose areas that are causing confusion as your blog partner may help you make the connections that you need for your understanding. 

Problem A3:
a. I moved the triangle on the far right to the left by rotating it the shape to the right side.
b. I rotated the top triangle to the right and you can slide the triangle to the left to the right side of the triangle we just moved.
c. I flipped the triangle to the left. Then slide the triangle down.

Problem b2: Start with a right triangle. Dissect the triangle so that you can rearrange the pieces to form a rectangle.

I first cut the triangle down the middle (b to the middle of c and a), Then I had two triangles. I cut those two triangles in half. I then used the four triangles to make two separate squares and then placed then together.

Did you find this activity challenging? I struggled with some more than others. Which were easy or difficult for you.

For Further Discussion

Informal recreational geometry is an important type of geometry in many childhood games and toys. Visit a toy store (or go to an online store) and make an inventory of early childhood toys and games that use geometric concepts. Discuss ways these materials might be used to teach the big ideas of early childhood geometry. 

Perfection is a game that definitely teaches the students about geometry. The children are required to match the game piece to the appropriate hole. I think this helps the children recognize different attributes and characteristics when observing and working with different geometric shapes.
I also found the shapes box for young children. The kids must place the toys back in the bx through the appropriate hole. There are triangles, squares, stars, rectangles, and circles. 

Did you see similar games? Did you use any games like these growing up or for your children?