Graded Geometric Figures

Materials:

Three boxes with three compartments each:

1.With three sets of equilateral triangles in red, blue, and yellow respectively, with the sides from 1 to 10cm

2.With three sets of squares in red, blue, and yellow respectively, with the sides from 1 to 10cm

3.With three sets of circles in red, blue, and yellow respectively, with the diameter from 1 to 10cm

Purposes:

• To continue the child’s experience with plane geometric figures

• Preparation for ornamental geometry

• Preparation for understanding the relationships between plane geometric figures

Age: 4 and up

Preparation: The child has had experience with the Geometry Cabinet

Presentation:

• Invite the child for the lesson on the Graded Geometric Figures.

• Open each box, let the child decide what shape they would like to work with, and then carry the box to the table.

• Let the child select the color.

• Remove those shapes and close the box.

• Spread them out randomly on the right side of the table.

• Start to build a gradation from largest to smallest.

• Build a few in descending order with the bases lined up and then invite the child to finish it. Mix them to the right side of the table.

• Start to make a concentric pattern by placing the first few.

• Allow the child to finish it.

• With the child’s help, mix the shapes on the right and invite them to make any pattern they like.

• Fade and observe.

• Show the child how to put them away in concentric order, largest on the bottom to smallest on the top. And suggest that they may use any color they like next time.

**Later, the child can be invited to take out two colors of the same shape to work with.  After that, take out all three colors of the shape to work with. 

Control of Error:

• The child’s own judgment/visual discrimination of disharmony 

Language:

• Concentric: Same shape centered inside the previous shape.

• Tangent: The two shapes are touching at one point.  A line that touches a circle.

• Inscribed: One shape fits exactly inside the other so each side touches.

• Adjacent: Two straight sides that touch.

Following Exercises:

• Two Boxes: Take one color from each box and explore patterns.

• Three Boxes: Explore the combinations they can make.

Memory Games: None

Pedagogical Notes:

• If you do not see the child spontaneously making the four basic patterns mentioned under the language heading, you may show them, offer the language, and invite them to have a turn. 

• Do not show all the patterns in one day.

• The Constructive Triangles parallel this exercise.