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Flexibility in Geometry

Flexibility in Geometry

In this feature for Primary teachers, you will find tasks to help learners develop their flexibility in a geometrical context. A flexible approach applies to a range of situations - perhaps being stuck on a problem and being flexible to try an alternative path; perhaps recognising that a task can have more than one solution; perhaps checking a solution using a different approach; or perhaps thinking flexibly to create a new problem related to one you have just tried. We hope you enjoy sharing these tasks with your classes.

Let's Get Flexible with Geometry
Age 5 to 11

In this article for primary teachers, Ems explores ways to develop mathematical flexibility through geometry.

Repeating Patterns
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Try continuing these patterns made from triangles. Can you create your own repeating pattern?

Paper Partners
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Can you describe a piece of paper clearly enough for your partner to know which piece it is?

Board Block
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Take it in turns to make a triangle on the pegboard. Can you block your opponent?

Shadow Play
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

Here are shadows of some 3D shapes. What shapes could have made them?

Tangram Tangle
Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

If you split the square into these two pieces, it is possible to fit the pieces together again to make a new shape. How many new shapes can you make?

Jig Shapes
Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

Can you each work out what shape you have part of on your card? What will the rest of it look like?

Tangrams
Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

Can you make five differently sized squares from the interactive tangram pieces?

Tangram Browser
Age 7 to 11

Explore our selection of interactive tangrams. Can you use the tangram pieces to re-create each picture?

Guess What?
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

Can you find out which 3D shape your partner has chosen before they work out your shape?

Shape Draw
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

Use the information on these cards to draw the shape that is being described.

Always, Sometimes or Never? Shape
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

Are these statements always true, sometimes true or never true?

Square Tangram
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

This was a problem for our birthday website. Can you use four of these pieces to form a square? How about making a square with all five pieces?

Stringy Quads
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

This practical problem challenges you to make quadrilaterals with a loop of string. You'll need some friends to help!