What are Tangrams? Click here to read their history!
Watch this video for an explanations of how to make your own tangrams:
Watch this tangram story by an elementary class!
Illuminations Lesson on Tangrams
Tangrams are tailor made for use in an elementary geometry lesson. They are fun, easy to make, and there are a myriad of resources to be found online. I have included just a few in the links and videos above. Tangrams lend themselves to hands-on and minds-on activities. There are some basic parameters: all 7 pieces must be used and they must touch, but not overlap. Other than these guidelines, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to use tangrams to create novel shapes and patterns.
I will be using tangrams to teach about geometric shapes and spatial awareness. The geometry standard in kindergarten is that students will "correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size." (KCAS Math K.G.2) Through creating tangram pictures, students will have exposure to many shapes that are in different orientations. In first grade, students will "...create a composite shape and compose new shapes from the composite shapes." (KCAS Math 1.G.2) By changing the tans into various animals or objects in a story, students will discover the way one or more tans compose new shapes.
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