Spatial Reasoning

Why it matters

  • It's the biggest predictor of mathematics achievement

  • Helps individuals orient themselves and objects within space

  • Supports visualization of numbers and quantities

Activities

Copy it

Idea taken from the Developing Mathematical Thinking Institutedmtinstitute.com

Materials Needed

  • Image cards
    (can create your own using index cards

  • Paper and pencil

  • Something to color with

Directions

  • Choose an image card

  • On your paper, draw the image so it looks the same

  • If desired, turn the image into a picture and color it.

  • CHALLENGE: Have your child create their own image cards

Hide and Describe

Idea taken from the Developing Mathematical Thinking Institutedmtinstitute.com

Materials Needed

  • Cut out shapes or physical shapes

  • Visual divider like a book, folder, paper tent, etc.

  • At least two people

Directions

  • The first player creates an image behind the divider.

  • They describe the image they created to the other player(s).

  • The other player(s) then has to recreate the image based on the directions given.

Building Structures

Materials Needed

  • A variety of objects that can be used to build structures
    (sticks, paper clips, blocks, LEGOs, paper, playing cards, etc.)

  • Structure cards or list with different structures to build

Directions

  • Choose a structure to build

  • Choose one or more materials that will best help you build it

  • Build your structure!

  • CHALLENGE: use only one type of material

Hidden Positions

Idea taken from Teaching Student Centered Mathematics by Van de Walle et al.

Materials Needed:

  • 4 pairs of different small objects
    (eg. two toy cars, two cheerios, two hair ties, etc.)

  • 2 game boards- paper with a 3x3 grid or larger

  • Visual divider such as a folder, paper tent, or box

  • 2 players

Directions:

  • Give each player a game board and one of each object. Place the visual divider between the two players.

  • Player 1 places each of their objects in a different location on their game board.

  • Player 1 then tells player 2 where to place the objects using only verbal directions.

  • When all 4 pieces have been placed, check to see if the game boards match.

  • Switch roles and play again.