What this lesson teaches
This activity develops spatial awareness and problem-solving skills through engaging shape manipulation.
Math in Action
Can you finish tangram puzzle in about 25 min?
Tangram Puzzle
You will this activity develops spatial awareness and problem-solving skills through engaging shape manipulation.
Duration25 min
Age GroupAges 8–12
DifficultyIntermediate
SubjectMath
See how this hands-on lesson works
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What you need
- Square cardboard or paper
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Ruler
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How the activity runs
- Cut a square piece of cardboard into 7 geometric shapes.
- Mix up the shapes and challenge yourself to make a specific figure.
- Try creating different animals or objects using the shapes.
The learning connection
Hands-on activities like Tangrams make learning fun and interactive. They encourage critical thinking and creativity as children visualize and assemble shapes to complete puzzles.
Try it with your learner
1. Draw a large square on the cardboard and cut it out. 2. Use the ruler to divide the square into seven specific shapes: 2 large triangles, 1 medium triangle, 2 small triangles, 1 square, and 1 parallelogram. 3. Carefully cut out each shape from the square. 4. Mix the shapes together and try to arrange them to form a square again. 5. Experiment with different arrangements to create new shapes or figures. 6. What did you notice about the shapes and their arrangements?