CTC I Summary and Homework, 10/1/12

This week we had fun with hands-on geometry! Through the use of pentominoes we verbalized visual-spatial concepts, creative use of elements, and exploration of properties and consequential use of newly discovered properties.

Students were challenged to make rectangles out of pentominoes (five equal squares that share at least one side), create houses with "windows", solve puzzles from a worksheet, and finally, play a pentomino version of broken telephone.

We will not meet again until October 15th. Over the two week break, here are some things to keep your student thinking:

1. Each student received a set of paper pentominoes and a worksheet with six problems. No one was able to solve all six. Have them go back and try to complete as many as possible. 
2. Try "virtual" pentominoes, HERE.
3. View the video, Inspiration, inspired by Escher's tilings HERE. It is a beautiful expression of geometry through art and music. I dare you not to be moved! Ask your students if they recognize any of the shapes.

We finished our class with the "giant paper loop challenge."  I passed out templates so they could try it at home. Here are the step-by-step instructions.

Lastly, our students were anxious to show off some of their creations!

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We use curriculum from Art of Inquiry, LLC.