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5 skills in geometry:
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. Teaching Strategies
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Two teaching strategies to assist students in understanding and grasping the concept
of geometry in particular 2D, 3D shapes and their attributes would be the use of
visual aids and role modelling. Visual aids and role modelling allow children to see
first-hand and discover what 2D and 3D shapes actually look like and see identify the
attributes relating to those shapes.
The resource below is Khan from Khan Academy thoroughly but simply explaining
the mathematical concept of geometry using the correct mathematical language.
This resource would be introduced to children at the beginning of the unit of
geometry where they can see for themselves what geometry is all about. Teaching
can work through Khans videos as they work through the unit content.
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/basic-geo
4. Misconceptions
Learning geometry is not just learning the definitions or the attributes of geometrical
concepts but also to have the ability of analysing the properties of two (2D) and three
dimensional (3D) geometric shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric
relationships, to specify locations and spatial relationship, to apply transformations and to
use symmetry, visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modelling to solve problems
(NCTM, 2000).
Misconception: Children tend to think that a larger object weighs more.
Appropriate strategies to remediate this:
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Provide students with plenty of examples using familiar objects to them (language
model e.g. toys, objects in the classroom etc.) to show that a larger object does not
necessarily weigh more. Show specific examples to students where larger objects are
actually lighter than smaller objects and vice versa.
5. ACARA Links
7. Synthesis of textbook
Shapes:
- It is important for teachers to begin their geometry teachings from the childrens
perspectives and relate it to familiar objects such as balls and blocks
- Models play an important role in the teaching and learning process of geometry.
- Children first recognise shapes in a holistic manner.
- One of the first attributes children focus on is the number of sides.
- Two types of symmetry- line or reflectional symmetry and rational symmetry.
Space:
- The study of space in geometry gives children the opportunity to build mathematical
concepts.
- Number is a great way to represent space.
Transformations:
- Turn (rotation), slide (translation), and flip (reflection).
- Tessellations- a simple transformation of a shape can produce an interesting design.
(Reys et al., 2012).