Taking Shape

Table of Contents

Part 1: Background and Research

Chapter 1: Shaping Young Minds: Why We Care About Spatial Reasoning in the Early Years

  • What Is Spatial Reasoning?
  • Why Math in the Early Years Is So Important
  • Why Teach Spatial Reasoning?

Chapter 2: What Makes This Book Different From Other Geometry resources?

  • 1. An Expanded Vision of Geometry
  • 2. A Deep Focus on Five Particular Aspects of Geometry
  • 3. An Emphasis on Playful Pedagogy
  • 4. A Research Focus: Tested Educational Benefits

Chapter 3: A Review of Spatial Reasoning Concepts and Processes

  • 1. Visualization
  • 2. Mental Rotation
  • 3. Visual-Spatial Working Memory
  • 4. Information Processing
  • 5. Spatial Language
  • 6. Gestures

Chapter 4: How to Use This Book

  • Implementation Suggestions
  • How Is the Book Organized?
  • Where to Begin?
  • What Next?
  • Classroom Organization
  • Observing Student Thinking: Junior Kindergarten to Grade 2
  • Assessment Suggestions

Part 2: Activities

Section A: Symmetry

  • Lesson 1: Let’s Learn About Symmetry
  • Lesson 2: Pattern Block Symmetry Puzzles
  • Lesson 3: Pentomino Symmetry Games
  • Lesson 4: Symmetry on Grids—Integrating Location and Number
  • Lesson 5: Grid Symmetry Game
  • Lesson 6: Hole-Punch Symmetry Challenge
  • Lesson 7: Symmetry Card Games

Section B: Composing, Decomposing, and Transforming Two-Dimensional Shapes

  • Lesson 1: Find the Magic (Pentomino) Keys
  • Lesson 2: See It, Build It, Check It—Pattern Blocks
  • Lesson 3: The Hexagon Card Game
  • Lesson 4: Can You Draw This?
  • Lesson 5: Can You Cover It?
  • Lesson 6: The Square Mover
  • Lesson 7: The Shape Transformer

Section C: Composing, Decomposing, and Transforming Three-Dimensional Objects

  • Lesson 1: The Cube Challenge—Discovering Three-Dimensional Congruence
  • Lesson 2: Build It in Your Mind
  • Lesson 3: Box or Not?
  • Lesson 4: See It, Build It, Check It—Interlocking Cubes
  • Lesson 5: Building Rules!

Section D: Locating, Orienting, Mapping, and Coding

  • A Focus on Coding
  • Lesson 1: Introductory Barrier Game
  • Lesson 2: Secret Shape Code
  • Lesson 3: What Did You Make?
  • Lesson 4: Pathway Moves
  • Lesson 5: Paper Pathways
  • Lesson 6: Secret Code Game
  • Lesson 7: Pathway Coding Game

Section E: Perspective Taking

  • Lesson 1: Mother Bird Finds a Sculpture
  • Lesson 2: Shoebox Goggles
  • Lesson 3: Build It, Photograph It, Make It
  • Lesson 4: Crazy Creatures
  • Lesson 5: What Do You See?
  • Lesson 6: Secret LEGO® Buildings

Appendices

  • One-to-One Interview Tasks and Observation Guides
  • Index of Lessons by Grade Level
  • Index of Lessons by Math and Spatial Reasoning Focus
  • References
  • Authors
  • Credits