Good Ideas for Symmetry
While these activities from Polygon Resources focus largely on line symmetry, some lead on to rotational symmetry. Although much of the work in this booklet relates to two dimensional shapes, there are opportunities to extend into three dimensions. The need to think of planes of symmetry rather than lines is a way of ensuring the…
Good Ideas for Algebra
The focus of the activities in this book from Polygon Resources is algebra and provides students with experience of finding and explaining rules by writing down what they notice in words. Repeating Patterns introduces the idea of prediction based on known patterns. Matchstick Patterns looks for patterns and rules in spatial…
Good Ideas for Number
The activities in this book from Polygon Resources focus on number and encourage students to develop and refine their own methods of calculation, and offer opportunities for practice of arithmetic skills. Counter Grid is an investigation into the different totals that can be made by addition using the digits one, two, four and…
Good Ideas for 3D Shape
The activities in this book from Polygon Resources focus on shape and space. They are particularly designed to give students experience of designing and making solid objects and time to consolidate their ideas about solid shapes and their properties. Many of the activities require practical equipment such as interlocking cubes and…
Good ideas for Probability
The activities in this book from Polygon Resources focus on probability, but have links to other areas. Through the activities students are encouraged to develop their own games with appropriate time to work on them and test out their hypotheses. Horse Race asks students to investigate whether this is a fair game. Crossing…
Good Ideas for Area and Perimeter
The activities in this book from Polygon Resources focus on the concepts of area and perimeter. The approach taken can help students use mathematical language, take responsibility for selecting materials and to develop greater rigour in their mathematical reasoning. Paper Cut Outs asks students to investigate how cuts from a…
Good Ideas for Fractions and Decimals
The activities in this book from Polygon Resources focus on fractions and decimals. They are intended to give experience of meeting fractions and decimals in a range of different contexts. Designing Tiles investigates tiles that can be divided up into different fractions. Square Fractions is an investigation into dividing a…