Activity
Math shapes: Introducing APH Memory Puzzles
Use this new APH product to learn shapes and build geometry concepts!
With our recent discussion on how introducing simple shapes can help lay foundational concepts for geometry, I’m excited to share the new APH product: Memory Puzzles: Shapes. This set includes 26 pairs of matching puzzle pieces. Each piece features a colorful tactile shape, the shape’s name in Grade 1 braille and raised print, and a waving orange line that runs through the center of each piece, allowing students to trace across matched pairs. The top right corner includes a braille indicator to help orient the card. Plus, the durable plastic cards are washable.
Goals
According to APH, Memory Puzzles: Shapes are designed to foster memory and matching skills, problem-solving, tactile learning, gross motor skills, shape identification and braille literacy for younger students. The puzzle pieces include a variety of shapes, from simple circles, squares, and triangles to more complex octagons, hexagons, and polygons. These shapes can also be used to build deeper geometry concepts.
Activities
While the obvious gameplay involves simply matching shapes, here are some more challenging game ideas:
- Classic Concentration: Arrange 8 sets of cards face down in random order (4 rows and 4 columns). Students turn over two cards at a time to try and find a matching pair. If they match, the pair is removed from the table. If not, the cards are turned face down again. The goal is to remember the location of each card.
- Call and Match: Call out a shape name and have students find and match that shape.
- Shape Sorting Challenge: Mix all the pieces and have students sort them based on various attributes, such as the number of sides or color.
- Shape Scavenger Hunt: Encourage students to find specific shapes around the classroom or home, promoting real-world shape identification.
- Memory Match with a Twist: Create a memory game where students must match a shape with its name or a corresponding real-life object (e.g., a triangle with a slice of pizza).
APH Memory Puzzles: Shapes
Resources
Additional posts in this series:
- Math shapes: Marshmallows and toothpicks activity!
- Math shapes: Classification and drawing of shapes
- Desmos Geometry Tool: Points and lines
- Desmos Geometry Tool: Circles and polygons
- Creating an accessible geometry worksheet: Desmos Geometry Tool (workflow)
- More Desmos Geometry Tool posts! (Coming soon!)
By Diane Brauner
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