GeeBoard



Empowered Learning, Computational Thinking

Geoboard is an excellent puzzle game for kids and adults to use geoboard and develop their attention, logic, coordination and mathematical thinking. We were inspired to create this game by physical analogue of the geoboard game that pupils of 1st grade use to learn creativity, colors and mathematical thinking. Geoboard game is half mathematical and half artistic puzzle game. A Geoboard is a manipulative used to explore basic concepts in geometry such as perimeter, area and the characteristics of triangles and other polygons. It consists of a physical board with a certain number equidistant pegs, around which students wrap rubber bands to create shapes. Geoboards allow students to explore different geometrical. Geoboard: A Geoboard is a manipulative tool used in geometry to study the basic shapes. Area: Area is a surface measurement; Perimeter: Perimeter is the boundary of a closed geometric figure. Polygon: A polygon is a plane figure with at least three straight sides and angles.

Winter Geoboard Pattern Cards. How to Make a Circle Geoboard. Autumn Geoboard Pattern Cards. Materials Needed to Make a Geoboard: 1 Package push pins (or about 25) You can also use small nails. 1 Package of rubber bands. 1 Wooden Board (Grab a piece from the scrap section of the hardware store!) Hammer. Steps To Make a Geoboard. Geoboard by The Math Learning Center. Geoboard is a tool for exploring a variety of mathematical topics introduced in the elementary and middle grades. Learners stretch bands around the pegs to form line segments and polygons and make discoveries about perimeter, area, angles, congruence, fractions, and more.

Geoboard by the math learning center

Overview

Math Learning Center Geoboard is a manipulative tool students use in geometry to explore the basic concepts of polygons. It also helps with the discovery of area and perimeter. It is a board that contains a certain number of nails in which rubber bands go around to create the shape.

Students will:

  • Be able to create various line segments and polygons by stretching the bands around the Geoboard pegs.
  • Be able to calculate the perimeter and the area.
  • Be able to write equations and expressions with the text tool.

Vocabulary Words:

  1. Geometry: Geometry is the study of shapes.
  2. Geoboard: A Geoboard is a manipulative tool used in geometry to study the basic shapes.
  3. Area: Area is a surface measurement
  4. Perimeter: Perimeter is the boundary of a closed geometric figure.
  5. Polygon: A polygon is a plane figure with at least three straight sides and angles.

To prepare for this lesson:

  1. Students should be familiar with geometry terms.
  2. The teacher should introduce the students to the Math Learning Center and the tools to use the Geoboard. View the videos below for assistance.

See Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students.net site in the Teacher Resources.

GeeBoard

Directions for this activity:

  1. Have students log onto the Math Learning Center.
  2. Open Web App (or application appropriate for device).
  3. Use rubber bands to create polygons.
  4. Use tools to calculate the area and perimeter.
    • Drawing tool to label the sides.
    • Calculator to calculate the area if needed.

Different options for assessing the students:

  • Observations
  • Check for understanding
  • Assess students with prepared polygons to find the area and perimeter.
  • Students demonstrate their model on the projector for the class.
  • Math talks discussing how to calculate area and perimeter.
  • Give the students a given shape and have them calculate the area and/or perimeter, name of a polygon on an exit ticket.

MITECS: Michigan adopted the 'ISTE Standards for Students' called MITECS (Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students) in 2018.

Empowered Learning
1a. Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes.
1b. Students build networks and customize their learning environments in ways that support the learning process.
1c. Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
1d. Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies and are able to transfer their knowledge

Computational Thinking
5a. Students formulate problem definitions suited for technology assisted methods such as data analysis, abstract models and algorithmic thinking in exploring and finding solutions.
5c. Students break problems into component parts, extract key information, and develop descriptive models to understand complex systems or facilitate problem-solving.
5d. Students understand how automation works and use algorithmic thinking to develop a sequence of steps to create and test automated solutions.

Glee Board Game

Device: PC, Chromebook, Mac, iPad

Browser: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, ALL

Apps. Extensions, Add-ons

Websites:
Geoboards Video

Students write about how to use a Geoboard and solve for area and perimeter, they describe polygons.

Students draw diagrams of a Geoboard

Have math talks with the students about area and perimeter, and different polygon shapes.

Credits
This task card was created by Julie Hoehing, Lake Shore Public Schools, June 2020.

GeeBoard
Overview
Printables

Glee Board Games

Interactive
Video

What are Geoboards?

Developed by Egyptian-born, English mathematics scholar Caleb Gattegno, Geoboards are a tool used to teach children geometry. They were originally created as wooden squares with nails or brass pins in a variety configurations, upon which rubber bands could be stretched into various shapes.

Why should I use them?

Virtual Geoboard Interactive

Geoboards provide students with the experience of creating shapes, rotating shapes, exploring angles, and concretely exploring the properties of geometric objects.

Virtual geoboards in particular have a very practical benefit of avoiding the use of actual rubber bands that can be a distraction in the classroom. In her discussion of the first time she used geoboards in the classroom, veteran teacher Marilyn Burns shared this funny story:

Glee Board

“I gave a geoboard to each student, distributed a cup of rubber bands to each pair, and gave time for exploration. Within a minute, chaos reigned. The cups were empty; every geoboard was full. Some students slouched in their chairs waiting for instructions. A few strummed the rubber bands as if the geoboard were a guitar. Several students, attempting to remove rubber bands from the geoboards, instead sent them flying. Others disappeared under their desks to retrieve lost rubber bands. This wasn’t what I had envisioned.”