Congruent Triangle Gazebo -- Geometry Class Project

 

One of my goals now that I'm teaching is to share some of the projects I am doing with my classes. Before break I was teaching my geometry classes the congruent triangle shortcuts: SSS, SAS, SAA, ASA, and HL (for right triangles only). In one class I assigned a congruent triangle project. I gave the kids the choice of building a truss bridge, making a gazebo, or making a congruent triangle picture that had at least five different pairs of congruent triangles (one for each shortcut) and they needed a page showing each of the pairs as congruent with one of the shortcuts or needed to mark them in their drawing. Most of the kids picked the drawing. I wasn't in love with the gazebo tutorial, or the gazebo made in it so I thought I would make my own. Today I am going to share my gazebo as well as a project sheet to assign it. (I am still deciding if I am going to assign it to my other class or not as they are about half a chapter behind the other one.) 

It's Chinese New Year, Curious George

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Happy New Year!! With the start of January, we all begin our thoughts for the new year. Whether you make resolutions, choose a word for the year, or just reflect, we all have our own traditions. As we get into January perhaps you start to celebrate or learn about the lunar new year. Over the years we have shared various things from fun facts, crafts and books about the lunar new year, Chinese New Year and Chinese zodiac. By the way the lunar new year begins January 22, 2023 and it is the year of the rabbit. Today I am going to share a wonderful new book that helps young children learn about the Chinese New Year and it does it with a well-loved character--Curious George. The book is It's Chinese New Year, Curious George by H.A. Rey and Maria Wen Adcock. It is a tabbed board book and is recommended for baby through 4 year-olds. 

Freddy the Not-Teddy

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Does your child have a lovey? Is it the typical teddy bear or a different animal? In this age of stuffed animals--where you can find a stuffed version of almost any animal--I think teddy bears are a bit passe. Hazel's lovey is a duck. We had a ducky themed birthday party years ago to honor her lovey, Ducky. Her pediatrician gave me the wonderful advice of buying several of the animal she chooses as a lovey. We are on her second Ducky and have a third. The second Ducky can no longer be washed as he is completely deteriorating, but if she is having a hard time, he can still calm her down. Today's book is about a stuffed animal that is not a teddy bear. In fact, no one really knows what animal it is, but he is Jonah's favorite animal. To be honest Freddy reminds me a bit of Ducky. The book is Freddy the Not-Teddy by Kristen Schroeder and Hilary Jean Tapper. This book is recommended for ages 4 to 8. At the end of our post there is a round-up of ideas for a teddy bear picnic since Jonah and Freddy go to one.

Knitting for Dogs--Picture Book Review & Knitting for Kids Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As the days have truly grown colder here, winter has set in. It is a time to get cozy and of course that makes me think of knitting. Today I am going to share with you a fun new picture book about knitting as well as a round-up of knitting for kids ideas. The book is Knitting for Dogs by Laurel Molk. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Christmas Fractal Lesson

 

Over the years I have shared my love for fractals with you. I began with my introduction to frozen fractals after Elsa sings about them in "Let It Go" in Disney's Frozen. A fractal is an object that has self-similarity, or each part looks like the whole. It introduces new ideas of symmetry, dimensionality, and more. Fractal geometry often explains some of the irregularities of our world. It can be a very complex topic to understand, but it is an important one. Fractals are making advances in our medical world, entertainment (movies, computer games and more) as well as science. There are some topics that kids even young kids can understand. Since they were introduced in Frozen, many kids have now heard of them. I feel it is important to teach kids about them and give them a true idea of what they are.