🔺 Play with Geometry Using Tangram Shapes 🔷

Triangles, squares and rhombi, oh my!

In its simplest form, geometry helps us understand how the angles and lengths of sides make up the forms we see in our world. We use geometry to engineer structures, design products, build machines, create art and more! 

To play Tangram Treats, students will use the included tangrams to create 2D-shaped designs like a triangle, swan, boat, fish, key, heart, horse, plane, shoe, cat, helicopter and rocket. 

Each design is broken into three difficulty levels for students to build upon as they learn the properties of triangles and parallelograms:

• Level 1 — tangram shapes and designs in colour
• Level 2 — tangram shapes and designs in black
• Level 3 — tangram shapes and design silhouettes in black

Students can use classroom tangram blocks to recreate the designs or the cut-out tangram shape templates we’ve included with this download.

Scaffolding + Extension Tips 

Download the interactive Google Slides version of this activity to use in your shapes lesson. All difficulty versions are included in the Google Slides version. Choose the slides you want your students to do and delete the rest. Project a tangram design for your class and call up students to place a tangram and build the design as a group. 

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by referring them to a classroom shapes poster or anchor chart. 

Challenge fast finishers who already understand the concept to start on the black silhouetted designs first. 

Next: 68 Ideas and Tips for Setting Up Maths Rotations in the Classroom

More Activities that Clarify Tangrams for Kids

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource for students to work on independently in their maths groups. 

However, check out our suggestions for using this activity to reinforce your small group and full-class lessons too: 

☀️ Warm-Up

Project a task card on the board for the whole class to see and provide students with tangrams. Students will use the projection as a map and rebuild the design at the desk.

🏃 Relay Race

Divide students into two teams and line them up, each with their own set of tangram shapes. Show a task card to the students at the front of each line and set a timer. Students take turns placing one tangram block at a time. Whichever team produces the correct tangram design first wins the task card. The team with the most task cards at the end of the game wins!

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the full-colour and low-colour PDF or interactive Google Slides versions of this resource. 

Print on cardboard for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Things are shaping up in your maths lessons now that you’ve got these activities and teaching resources:

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2D Shapes - Interactive PowerPoint Presentation

An interactive PowerPoint presentation that teaches the features of 2D shapes.

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Colour by 2D Shape (Basic Shapes)

A set of five colour by shape worksheets.

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2D Shape Bingo

Engage your students while consolidate learning about 2D shapes, their names and properties with 2D Shape Bingo!