Site title: Pattern Blocks

URL:            http://arcytech.org/java/patterns/patterns_j.shtml

Level             2

Rating            

Purpose of the site:

This site is part of the on-line mathematics education material produced by Cynthia Lanius. It is an on-line activity that enables students to use shapes to create patterns and develop their concept of fractions. Suitable for use with students working at level 2 of the mathematics curriculum.

New Zealand context:

This program can be used to familiarise students with different shapes, their relations, their proportions and their symmetry. It can also be used as a tool to learn and practice fractions as the shapes are all designed to fit together easily.
This activity could be used with small groups in a teaching session, or as an independent task for individuals.

New and Different:

The pattern blocks are clearly displayed and easy to use. The activity is open-ended which means it can be used in several different ways within the classroom programme.
As well as the activity itself the site also contains some excersises focusing on fractions that can be given to students.

Curriculum References

Mathematics, Levels 2
Strand: Number and Geometry