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For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Quadrilaterals Game

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star
Secondary curriculum
  • Game
  • Teachers' Resources

These printable worksheets may be useful: Quadrilaterals Game
                                                              Quadrilaterals Game Cards

Why play this game?

This game fits in well into a unit of work on the properties of polygons, that could also include the problems Property Chart and Shapely Pairs

There is an excellent article by Gillian Hatch on the NRICH site, Using Games in the Classroom
She analyses what goes on when geometrical mathematical games are used as a pedagogic device.

These are the headings from the article:

Learning
A game can generate an unreasonable amount of practice
Geometric games create a context for using geometric reasoning
A game will often result in the making of generalised statements
A game can allow the introduction of ideas that are difficult to develop in other ways.
Games seem to be able to lead pupils to work above their normal level

Ways of working
A game leads pupils to talk mathematics
A game can create discussion of all kinds
Games put pressure on players to work mentally
A game does not define the way in which a problem is to be solved or worked out
A game often can be played at more then one level

Pupil experience
It is acceptable to learn the rules of a game gradually
Games are played in a context in which there is usually unthreatening help available
The pieces used in a game are concrete objects
A game allows a pupil to hide until he feels confident



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Linkage

Four rods, two of length a and two of length b, are linked to form a kite. The linkage is moveable so that the angles change. What is the maximum area of the kite?

Making Rectangles, Making Squares

How many differently shaped rectangles can you build using these equilateral and isosceles triangles? Can you make a square?

The Cyclic Quadrilateral

This gives a short summary of the properties and theorems of cyclic quadrilaterals and links to some practical examples to be found elsewhere on the site.

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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