PICTURE PATTERNS WITH PATTERN BLOCKS GAME

Grades Pre-K to 3
For Individuals or Small Groups

23 designs are used in the 48 activities.  In Level A block spaces within ach picture are outlined.  The primary objective is to provide experiences in which students match blocks to outlines.  During this important process students develop mental images of these key geometric shapes.  Use of mathematical names for the shapes should be encouraged as early as possible.  To distinguish between the two rhombi one may be referred to as the 'wide rhombus' and the other as the 'narrow rhombus'. 

In Level B students study the pictorial representations, ponder and decide how many of each block they need in their solution before proceeding. This challenges them to mentally picture what shapes and how many are required to fill the entire picture in a pleasing manner.  Solutions are not unique!  Some will be more pleasing than others.  Practice at this level builds spatial sense.  Students should move to Level B as early as possible. Initially, students will find that they will frequently need to add or replace
blocks in their solution set.  This requires thinking of shapes, how shapes will be needed.  The latter builds the concept of area.  With experience, students will come closer and closer to pre-selecting the right assortment and number of blocks.

NCTM Standards 2000 include:
- count with understanding and recognize 'how many' in sets of objects
- sort, classify and order objects by size, number and other properties
- recognize, name, build, draw, compare and sort two-dimensional shapes
- investigate and predict the results of putting together and taking apart
  two-dimensional shapes
- create mental images of geometric shapes using spatial memory
  and spatial visualization
- use the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely
- build and draw geometric objects

Contents:

48 Activity Card Sets, 250 Pattern Blocks