two large triangles
one medium triangle
two small triangles
one square
one parallelogram.
The large triangle is twice as large as the medium triangle, the parallelogram and the square.
The medium triangle, the square and the parallelogram are all twice as large as the small triangle.
The interior angles of the shapes have measures of 45°, 90°or 135° each.
The parallelogram has a pair of opposite angles measuring 45°each and the opposite angles measure 135°each.
The relationships involved in tangram mathematics allows the pupil to fit the tangram pieces into many geometric shapes and pictorial arrangements.
Sets of tangrams can appear from time to time in Pound shops or through Educational supplies. Class sets can also be purchased. But getting the child to create their own tangrams can be a very rewarding experience indeed.
The tangram set supplied on this site are arranged higgledy piggledy. The child can cut them out and have a set of their own. It would be advisable to print or photocopy them on to card and if necessary laminate them for extra strength.
The first mind boggling exercise is to ask the children to create a square. This can take quite a while. When the first one is solved ask the child not to show his/her solution to others. They love to be in on the secret. If the ask for a clue. Tell them that you will show them half of it. Do this by piecing the two large triangles together showing half of the square solved. The rest involves fitting the smaller shapes into the rest of the square.
Having solved the tangram a few times, the children need to move on to greater things.
Tangram sets and multiple sets can be used in learning surface area and trying various ways of covering surface area.
Look at the other examples we have used in our lessons on St. Patrick and St. Brigid and try them for yourselves.