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from the pages of Teaching PreK-8 magazine |
| Tangrams are a very old Chinese puzzle consisting of
seven pieces which can be arranged to make countless pictures. The
origin of tangrams is lost in the shrouds of time, though there are many
stories to explain where the puzzle come from. Some say they were
created when a man named Tan broke a plate and used the pieces for a puzzle.
Another story says they were a royal pasttime in the emperor's court during
the Tang dynasty. Others maintain that the game was spread by the
Tanka river people in China when they traded with American sailors.
Tangrams have captured the imagination of people worldwide, and even were
a favorite of Napoleon. Tangrams lend themselves well to mathematical
exploration and help develop spatial sense and visualization. Whether
part of a multicultural unit or as a stand-alone activity, tangrams are
a lively addition to your math curriculum.
Tangram
Activities. Ideas for using tangrams in the K-8 classroom
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