No.261
Tangram Shapes
Japanese name: タングラムの形づくり
Materials
- 7 large tangram pieces: 2 large triangles, 1 medium triangle, 2 small triangles, 1 square and 1 parallelogram
- Paper and pencils
How to play
- Spread out all seven pieces and compare their shapes and sizes. Check that none are missing, then explore arranging them freely.
- The first challenge is to make a large square using all seven pieces, without gaps or overlaps. Pieces may be rotated or flipped over.
- If needed, start by making a square with the two large triangles, then gradually add more pieces to the challenges. Allow thinking time before showing a solution.
- Next, use all seven pieces to make an animal, vehicle or other shape of your choice. Pieces must touch at an edge or corner and must not overlap.
- Trace only the outside outline on paper and ask a partner to reproduce it. Swap the roles of puzzle maker and solver, then put all seven pieces away.
Ways to adapt
Younger primary: a model showing the piece boundaries. Older primary: the outside outline only.