Cover the Camel

Why do this problem?

This problem is a lovely context in which children can develop their ability to visualise. Visualisation is required in two ways. Firstly, children will realise that planning ahead is useful, so as not to leave impossible spaces. Secondly, in the default version of the interactive, they must try to turn each piece in their 'mind's eye' to decide which is needed for a particular gap.
 

Possible approach

You could introduce this task by showing the interactive projected onto the screen or whiteboard. Invite learners to talk about what they notice, and use their observations to explain the aim of the activity. In pairs, learners can have a go either using the interactive on a tablet/computer, or you can give them print outs of these photocopiable sheets. (The image of the camel is on the first sheet and the ten pieces to fit into it on the second sheet.)

Give them time to begin to have a go at the task, observing how they get started and listening to their conversations. You may wish to draw everyone together for a mini plenary at a suitable opportunity. This could give some pairs the chance to articulate their thinking and to explain what they are attending to as they try to 'cover the camel'. Draw out the idea of visualising and don't be afraid to give it that label. In this task, visualising might be used to plan ahead, but also to picture what a piece will look like once it has been rotated and is placed in position. 

Having given everyone more time to try to complete the picture, a final plenary might involve looking at all the covered camels. Has every pair completed it in the same way? Is there more than one solution?

Key questions

Where might be a good place to start? Why?
Is there anywhere else you can put a piece straight-away?
If you put that piece there, will you be able to fit another one in easily?
Have you tried turning the piece round?
Have you tried turning the piece over so it's the other way up?
Have you got any spaces that you can't fill?
Have you counted the number of squares in the gap?

Possible extension

Learners could make their own designs on squared paper using these shapes.

Possible support

You could partially complete the camel yourself, and then ask learners to fill in the rest independently. If using the interactive, learners could click on the Settings menu (purple cog) and select the version which includes pieces that are already rotated. This means that they do not have to visualise the rotations, but will still need to use visualisation to decide how to place the pieces.