Geometry With Tangrams & Pattern Blocks
Geometry with tangrams and pattern blocks, working on congruency, similarity and equivalency. Those three words are hard to explain and easy to demonstrate: two shapes that match exactly, two that match in shape but not size, and two that are different shapes covering the same area. Tangrams make all three happen on a table in a few minutes. Task cards set the problems. Durable plastic with rounded corners. In English.
“Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.”
Geometry With Tangrams & Pattern Blocks introduces the child to geometric relationships through direct manipulation of translucent acrylic shapes. Each frosted piece reveals grid patterns when placed on a light table, making abstract mathematical concepts visible and tangible.
- Develops spatial reasoning through shape manipulation and rotation
- Builds understanding of geometric relationships and transformations
- Strengthens visual discrimination of angles, sides, and symmetry
- Enhances problem-solving skills through pattern completion challenges
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The tangrams and pattern blocks serve as concrete representations of spatial reasoning, allowing children to discover how shapes relate, combine, and transform through their own exploration. These translucent pieces bridge the gap between sensorial and mathematical work, as children first experience shapes through touch and sight, then gradually recognize the geometric principles governing their relationships. The light table component transforms geometry from static concepts into dynamic visual experiences, where overlapping shapes create new colors and patterns. This hands-on approach to geometry honors the child's need to learn through movement and sensory engagement, building spatial intelligence through repeated manipulation of these precise acrylic forms.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place the light table on a low table accessible to the child. Arrange pattern blocks and tangrams in separate containers beside the light table. Ensure the room has dimmed lighting to enhance the illumination effect.
- 1
Invite the child to explore individual shapes on the light table, observing how the grid patterns appear when illuminated
Allow ample time for sensorial exploration before introducing specific activities - 2
Demonstrate creating a simple pattern using three pattern blocks, placing them edge to edge
Use slow, deliberate movements to show how pieces align precisely - 3
Introduce tangram puzzles by showing how two triangles can form a square
Start with two-piece combinations before progressing to complex designs - 4
Encourage the child to create their own designs, combining both pattern blocks and tangrams
Document favorite creations with photographs for pattern cards
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
Brands used by
schools worldwide
European brands
AMI
Endorsed
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