How do you build spatial reasoning, critical thinking, and problem solving skills while doing something that is fun? With tangrams! In honor of Chinese New Year, this lesson introduces your students to the Chinese puzzle of tangrams.

Students will love composing shapes using tangrams in this hands-on lesson! Use this plan alone or as a support lesson plan for the Tangrams: An Ancient Chinese Puzzle lesson plan.

Introduce your class to composite shapes with this lesson that reviews geometric shapes and makes use of tangram puzzles. This lesson will give your students a strong base for learning geometry later on in their school careers.

Teach your students to find the perimeter of polygons using real world examples. They will make polygon pictures using tangrams and practice finding the perimeters of the polygons in their masterpieces.