Space and Shape

I thought that the shadow activity was the hardest. I thought that it was interesting to see the shadows that it casted. I was not good at visualizing all the different ways that it could make a shadow. I did not think that it would make a hexagon.  

It is important that students become proficient in spatial visualization because it helps students when they are reading a map, giving directions, and packing efficiently. Last year I went to Charlotte to the distribution warehouse where they pack up Christmas shoeboxes to be sent around the world. A man from my church and I were in charge of putting the shoeboxes into bigger boxes and it became a competition of who could pack the most in one box. His spatial reasoning was clearly sharper than mine! As we continued on I did slowly get better and figured our strategies to use to make sure that I was packing in as many boxes as possible.

I think that students can begin working on their spatial reasoning skills as early as kindergarten. When I was teaching kindergarten my student enjoyed doing pattern block puzzles without the shape lines on them. They would have to figure out which shapes would fit where. I think that they were starting to practice spatial skills through this type of activity.  

I like the pentominos activity that we did the other day and I could see how this would help students with their spatial reasoning skills. I also think that nets that we discussed in the webex meeting would be a great way to practice as well. I was not very good at these activities, but I do think that I am better at them now than I was when I was in school. I did well on the first two activities “Trip on a Train” and Plot Plans and Silhouettes.” Providing student’s time to work through activities like this I think would be very beneficial.