Using Tangrams To Explore Mathematical Concepts Essay -- Learning Math

Using Tangrams To Explore Mathematical ConceptsRepresentations have always been a in truth important part of teaching mathematics. The visuals and hands on experiences help oneself to aide the instructors by assisting them in relaying important topics and concepts to the students. By having a representation, the students argon more likely to remember what they have learned, and recall the lesson when it comes time to ascertain a test or do their homework. Within mathematics, many antithetic manipulatives atomic turning 18 utilise to enhance learning. Among the most commonly used be tangrams. The septet pieces that make up a set of tangrams have nurture well beyond their small size. One of their most important values, former(a) than providing educational entertainment to students, is the introduction of geometric properties and theorems. When introducing the idea of using tangrams, it is beloved to tell the old Chinese folktale ab come in how they came to be. The story goes as follows, A young boy named Tan wished to open the emperor a beautiful tile. As he carries the tile to the palace, he accidentally drops it and it breaks it into septette pieces. Tan tries and tries to restore the tile to its original shape. In the process, he finds out that he can create all sorts of fascinating pictures with the seven pieces of his tile. The seven tile pieces are what are now called tangrams. (Tackling Tangrams, 2000) This story illustrates that tangrams can be used a method of discovery, as well as for habit since many pictures can be formed. It also helps students to see why they are able to form a square, which is the main basis for the manipulative. It is beneficial to give the students some time to play and explore with the tangrams after the story is told so they can find different pictures. By having the students use investigation, a teacher is able to establish a trusting classroom atmosphere as w ell as have the students see that abstract concepts are very meaningful. (Conundrum, 2001) By definition, a tangram is an ancient Chinese puzzle that provides another pathway for exploring rational number concepts. (Teaching and Learning, 83) They are very useful to explore number concepts as well as in guided discovery. Tangrams are used for many things, including, understanding fractions, relating areas, discovering the Pyth... ...om. Guided discovery by means of concrete materials go away take over all math classes soon. As long as tangrams are among them, the students will learn a lot and retain the learning for a lot longer. Works CitedAreas of Tangram Pieces. http//mathforum.org/trscavo/tangrams/area.html.Developing Geometric Understandings and Spatial Skills through Tangram Puzzles. http//illuminations.nctm.org/index_d.aspx?id=168Hatfield, Mary. Use of Manipulative Devices Elementary School Cooperating Teachers Report. School Science and Mathematics. bra shness 94, Issue 6. October 1994.More Tangram Activities. http//mathforum.org/trscavo/tangrams/activities.htmlNaylor, Michael. Tangram Tricks. Teaching Pre K-8. 32 no 8, 26-7. May 2002.The Pythagorean Theorem with Tangrams http//www.math.wichita.edu/history/activities/geometry-act.htmlpyth-tan.Rigdon, Deanna. Tackling Tangrams. Teaching Children Mathematics. 6 no 5, 304-5. January 2000. Rubenstein. Teaching and Learning nerve center Grades Mathematics. Key College Publishing. California. 2004Thatcher, Debra. The Tangram Conundrum. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School. 6 no 7, 397-9. March 2001.