Translations, reflections, rotations. These types of transformations are part of a geometric concept that our grade sixes are required to learn in our Alberta curriculum. While it is an interesting math concept, we have found that it can be a difficult concept to grasp for students. We have used a couple strategies to help students understand transformations.
Transformation Strategies
Transparency Sheets – For our transformations unit, we provide students with transparency sheets to help them visualize the transformations. Each student is provided with a square-cut out that can be placed over a transformation question. Students use their whiteboard marker to trace the original shape, then rotate, reflect, or transform the shape to its image. This visualization is particularly helpful, especially for our visual learners!
Transformation Movement Games – Creating movement has also been beneficial with reinforcing transformation concepts. Combining movement with games also makes learning more fun!
- Translation – Ask students to stand up, face the front, and translate around the classroom according to your directions. For example, “Translate 4 steps right, 1 step down.”
- Reflection – Draw a vertical line in the middle of the whiteboard. Stand on one side of the line and ask a student stand on the other. Ask the student to reflect your movements. For example, if you dab right, the student should reflect the dab appropriately on the other side.
- Rotation – Ask students to stand up, face the front, and perform a rotation according to your directions. For example, “Rotate 1/4 turn counter-clockwise.” Last person standing, wins!
Transformation Tetris
While it can be a difficult concept to grasp, we also have a passion for creating math projects connected with our curriculum that are fun, engaging, and differentiated for students. It has been shown that one way for students to practice and reinforce concepts in an engaging manner is by connecting them with games – we have done just that! We just released a Math transformations activity inspired by Tetris in our TPT store. It can be used after teaching math transformations.
This resource is a low floor, high ceiling activity that allows students to complete the task to their level. Some students may be able to find a solution in one step, others may need more.
What made it most engaging in our classrooms was the fact that it was based off a real game: Tetris! It was a great introduction to this 80’s game for those that were not familiar with it, and it intrigued students with how they can apply the skills of motion geometry to complete the 6 levels of this particular Tetris game. Students also found opportunities to collaborate with others by comparing their transformation descriptions, as there are multiple ways to move each shape to its image.
What’s Included in This Resource?
• 6 leveled game boards with different scales in full colour; as well as:
• A Grey-scale option
• A Black & White version for a low floor, high ceiling activity that can also
help foster spatial awareness
• A blank scale/level option for all of the above
• A sample answer key
• Student Tetris Piece “Cheat Sheet”
So, cue the Tetris theme song and let your kids transform their learning!
3 Heads Are Better Than 1 