Week 9

Shape (Part 2)

I find that today’s session is the most interesting session so far. Why? Because today I have been introduced to a very useful Mathematics teaching instrument, which is a set of tangram. The tangram is an ancient Chinese geometric puzzle with seven pieces: 2 large mangles, 1 medium triangle, 2 small triangles, 1 square and 1 rhomboid (Bohning, 1997).

A set of tangram

I was amazed with the fact that this set of seven pieces of shape is a very powerful Mathematical instrument to teach geometry, especially to young children. When I was a kid, I remember to having had to do the puzzle using these seven pieces but I was not being explained about the relationships that these seven pieces of shape have. Back then, my focused was only to solve the puzzle. However, unlike a jigsaw puzzle where a piece must fit in only one way to complete a picture, the geometric tangram pieces can be arranged in many different ways to make figures of; a watchful cat, a soaring bird, a bubbling teapot and children who run and play (Bohning, 1997).

A figure of a watchful cat

Experiences with tangrams actively involve children as they develop the skills of a geometry vocabulary, shape identification, classification (Bohning, 1997). Clements and Sarama (2000) add that identifying shapes is important but the focus on the properties and the relationship should be strong. Children's reaction to tangramming is one of surprise and amazement, surprise that manipulating the geometric shapes can be so much fun and amazement that the seven pieces can be arranged to make so many different figures (Bohning, 1997).

After further investigation on the tangram set, we have also discovered that the seven pieces can be used to teach children about fraction (based on area of the shapes). For example,

• The area of 1 little triangle is equal = ½ the area of the square = ½ the area of the rhomboid.

Other than that, children could also be asked to create a rectangle using only 3, 4 or 5 pieces from a set of tangram.

A square with 3 pieces of a tangram set

A square with 4 pieces of a tangram set

A square with 5 pieces of a tangram set

As they are manipulating the shapes in the tangram set, children will develop a positive attitude toward geometry, furthering their spatial sense, and developing a basic understanding of geometric concepts and relationships (Bohning, 1997).

Reflection

It could be observed that young children learn Mathematics mostly through experiential learning. They observe, question and make mistakes. Hands-on activity like tangramming therefore gives children to solve puzzles and manipulate shapes without the restriction of one single right answer.

References:

Bohning, G., & Althouse, J. K. (1997). Using tangrams to teach geometry to young children. Early Childhood Education Journal, 24(4), 239-242.

Clements, D.H. & Sarama, J. (2000). Engaging young children in mathematics: Standards for Early Childhood Mathematics Education. London: Lawrence Erlbum Associates.