Currently Papa ‘Ekolu students are studying about geometry in math. In this toothpick activity, students were asked to create as many arrangements as possible with four toothpicks. The arrangements needed to meet two criteria: Each toothpick had to touch the end of another toothpick AND the toothpicks needed to be in a straight line OR make a right angle. The keiki found 16 different arrangements.
The follow-up activity included a game in which the 16 arrangements were placed on index cards to make a set of playing cards. Students used their critical thinking and problem solving skills to meet the objective of the game: Have each player play all of the cards dealt to them in order to have a team “WIN”.
It was great to see the thinking, collaboration and learning going on. Most of all, it was enjoyable to watch the keiki have so much fun gaining a better understanding of geometric concepts.