Tangrams Turkey (Pattern Blocks)

I was TOTALLY inspired by this picture:

Tangram Turkey 1(photo source)

Yes, it’s an adorable paper Thanksgiving craft. But it could be SO MUCH MORE! Imagine doing this with your 5th or 6th graders. You first tell them to make a turkey, using any shapes.

Tangram Turkey 2

Then after they’re done putting the shapes together (and BEFORE they glue on the turkey’s body), they have to figure out all the math characteristics of their project. Including:

  • number of triangles, rectangles, squares, trapezoids, etc.
  • Number of vertices, edges, etc.
  • acute, obtuse and right angles
  • And the list goes on!

 

Tangram Turkey 3Anyway, I thought this would be a cool way to merge math and art. Know of any other great Thanksgiving crafts or activities for kids? Let me know!