A tangram is a Chinese puzzle consisting of a square divided into seven pieces, called tans, which can be arranged to match particular designs. Each tangram set contains:

• two large congruent triangles

• one medium-size triangle

• two small congruent triangles

• one small square

• one parallelogram

The shapes fit together, without overlapping, to form different shapes. They can be arranged to make a large square, a rectangle, a triangle, or a variety of more complex shapes.

Siâp’s tangram puzzle activities are organised into progressive sections, enabling learners to access the puzzles at their own level and develop a variety of mathematical skills:

Discover it – concrete activities to ensure learners have a solid base for exploring tangrams, developing their mathematical vocabulary, spatial awareness and knowledge of shapes.

Explore it – pictorial activities to support learners’ exploration of tangrams further developing learners’ vocabulary and understanding of key concepts.

Solve it – abstract activities to challenge learners and develop their problem-solving abilities

As well as helping learners develop a positive relationship with geometry, Siâp’s Tangram Puzzles can be used to develop:

• precise mathematical vocabulary and discussion

• geometrical knowledge

• spatial awareness

• concept of area

• data skills

• prediction and reasoning skills