A initial lesson making an imagined model. Polygons 1

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The children in the kindergarten should be in groups of 4-6.
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Do not relate to the exactness of folding done by the children.
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As the children have continued practice with folding they are able to do the folding exactly as needed. In the picture we can see how a child has advanced from stage 1 to stage 8 in the folding process.
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The key to each symbol on each slide.
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Give each child two sheets of origami paper.
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It is important only to use original origami sheets as they are flexible for folding.
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Folding instructions: Fold opposite vertices with both sheets.
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It is suggested that the children will first put the opposite vertices on each other and only after this to press the fold with their finger “travelling” along the fold.The fold should be demonstrated before the children begin to fold. Do not help children or touch their paper.
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The folding is demonstrated by the kindergarten teacher and if necessary demonstrated several times.
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Confidence with folding is gained by the children without intervention.
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A group activity: The children should put their triangular shapes together forming a shape based on their own imagination. (see the example )
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The children should be encouraged to describe verbally their joint effort.
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Encouraging children to describe their imaginative shape allows the kindergarten teacher to ask relevant questions about the construction. If the children say that they have made “mountains” with their shapes they can be asked in which place does the climbing begin.
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The verbal description of the construction should be attempted by each child in the group activity.
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A discussion question: Ask the children to describe their triangular shape.
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Children should choose a vertex to begin their “journey” around the shape changing the direction of movement at each vertex until returning to the starting point.
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Answer: The children count three sides and three vertices giving the name triangle to this shape.
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In the following lessons the correct terms should always be used.(side, vertex, triangle.)
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Composition and decomposition: Each child should join the two folded triangles to form a new shape. Only the complete equal sides should be joined.
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This activity demands that joined sides must fully fit each other.
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Ask the children to count the number of sides and vertices of their new shape.
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In the following lessons the correct terms for a polygon should be used. (sides,vertices)
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The children classify their new shapes according to the number of vertices and sides. A four sided figure is named a quadrilateral -sometimes a square,rectangle or parallelogram. The three sided polygon keeps the name triangle.
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Folding instructions: On one of the triangles fold opposite vertices as shown.
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In demonstrating each fold the three stages should be stressed. 1.Listen to the instruction. 2.Understand what this fold means. 3. After these stages perform the fold.
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Folding instructions: Fold the two vertices to the line of symmetry as shown.
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The children are not familiar with the term symmetry so this line should be pointed out.
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A discussion question: What are the number of vertices and sides of this folded shape?
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Use only the correct terms.
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Answer: The children count 5 vertices and 5 sides. and give the shape the name pentagon.
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Children should choose a vertex to begin their “journey” around the shape changing the direction of movement at each vertex until returning to the starting point.
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A discussion question: Can you find other shapes in the folded shape with 3 sides and 3 vertices?
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Continue to use the correct geometrical terms in each activity and discussion.
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Answer: The children count three sides and vertices and describe what they have found as triangles.
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The animation shows only one triangle but 4 triangles can be seen.
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A discussion question: Can the children identify 4 sided shapes with 4 vertices?
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Answer 1: The children identify quadrilaterals with 4 sides and 4 vertices.
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The quadrilateral that can be seen is a right angled trapezoid. In the next stage another different quadrilateral can be seen.
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Answer 2: Another quadrilateral can be seen having 4 sides and 4 vertices. A square.
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Folding instructions: Fold the vertices as shown.
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Folding instructions: Fold back one of the triangles.
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A discussion question: Which polygons can you find in the new shape?
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Answer 1: A polygon with 4 sides has been found.( rectangle)
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Answer 2 :A polygon with 3 sides has been found.(triangle)
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Folding instruction: Fold 2 vertices as shown.
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Folding instruction: Turn over your shape.
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A discussion question: Can you find a new polygon in this folded shape?
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The new polygon is a hexagon. Children should choose a vertex to begin their “journey” around the shape changing the direction of movement at each vertex until returning to the starting point.
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Answer: We have found a 6 sided polygon. A hexagon.
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Folding instructions: Place your fingers into the pocket of the shape.
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Folding instruction: Fold out the two triangles as shown.
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Children should decide which name can be given to this shape.
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The Model: Each child can decorate his shape according to his imagination.
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Use only markers and not stickers.Do not decorate your shape before the children decorate their shape.
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Children describe verbally their decorated model.
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It is important that each child has the opportunity to describe verbally his own decorated model.
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Each child shows and decribes his model.
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It is important that each child has the opportinity to describe verbally his own decorated model.
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A suggestion for developing the concept of a polygon.
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A suggestion for developing the concept of a polygon.
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A suggestion for developing the concept of a polygon.
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The next lesson is Polygons 2.
- Lesson Topic
Polygons
- Description of the Activity
This activity demonstrates the different stages of folding and investigating the polygons formed with the folding.
- Name of Model.
Each child decides the name of the model.
- Lesson Aims
Recognition of polygons according to number of sides and vertices.
- Lesson Content
Three stage in this activity:
- Forming new shapes with triangles.
- Composition and decomposition of shapes.
- Folding stages in identification of polygons and investigation of the triangle.