Angles
3D Shapes
Factors
Counting
Telling Time 1
Metric Length
Vocabulary
Congruent
Interpreting Data
Ready for School
Volume!
Learning to Add
Mental Math
Difficult Shapes
Measurement
Telling Time 2
Area & Perimeter
Angles
3D Shapes
Counting
Telling Time 1
Metric Length
Vocabulary
Congruent
APRIL 14, 2008: LESSON #11: DIFFICULT SHAPES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Sometimes, parents don't think of shapes when they think of mathematics. But, in elementary school, shapes play a big role in a child's mathematical success.
The tricky part for parents is knowing which shapes to focus on and when children are exposed to which shapes. Let's jump right in!
Once your child has learned the basics (circle, triangle, square, rectangle), they are ready to start mastering the more difficult shapes!
First, let's discuss a rhombus! Many parents call a rhombus a diamond. Sometimes, a rhombus will look like a diamond, and sometimes it may look like a square that is leaning!
Second, children in very early elementary school will learn to identify an octagon! Remember, it has 8 sides and looks like a stop sign.
Third, teach your child about a trapezoids! To help you remember what a trapezoid looks like, remember that it is a triangle with the top cut off in a parallell line to the base.
Here is a chant to help us remember a rhombus:
A rhomBUS is a square that got hit by a BUS!
Here are some more activities for some of the more complex 2D shapes:
- RHOMBUS: Cut 4 strips of cardboard or cardstock. Be sure each of the strips are the same size, approximately one inch by six inches. Buy a small box of brad fasteners. Punch a hole in each end of each of the strips. Lay the strips in the formation of a square. Place a brad through each of the holes, fastening two strips together with each brad. The final product should be a square that you are able to shift to look like a rhombus!
- OCTAGON: Cut out squares from construction paper. Have your child cut the corners off of the square, making an octagon!
- TRAPEZOid: Cut out a triangle. Have your child draw a "Zoid" on the triangle (see our Munchkin Math SPAPES DVD for ideas). Then, fold the top of the triangle down and "trap" a "Zoid"!
Remember- our SHAPES DVD is a very inexpensive method to teach your child all of the 2D shapes the will be responsible for through 5th grade! The DVDs are fun, highly educational, and make learning interactive for children!
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