Schoolyard Tangram: Pieces Fetched at a Walk

The seven pieces of a large tangram are scattered around the gym; each team fetches them one at a time at a walk and silently builds the shape on its card. It works spatial perception and calm teamwork.

How to play

1. Six teams, each with a hoop as base. Each tangram's pieces (marked with the team color) are spread around the gym (1 min).
2. Taking turns, each member walks out, brings back one piece and drops it in the hoop (2 min).
3. Each team gets a card with a silhouette (house, boat, cat) and builds it on the floor without talking (3 min).
4. Teams rotate to the other groups' shapes and check them against the cards (2 min).
5. Take the shape apart; one person per team walks the pieces back to the box (2 min).

Rules

• Always walk; anyone who runs returns the piece to where it was.
• One piece per trip.
• No talking while building: point or move the pieces.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visually impaired students: pieces with different textures and a raised outline made from glued cardboard.
• Wheelchair users: their team's pieces are placed on benches and their area has a clear path.
• Students who get stuck: give the position of the largest piece as a hint.

Learning goals

• Build shapes by organizing space.
• Cooperate silently toward a shared goal.
• Calm down with a focus task.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cardboard tangram sets: 6
• shape cards: 6
• hoops: 6

Teacher tip

Cut a tangram from a 40 cm (about 16 in) square of poster board or cardboard; make one color set per team. If a team finishes early, hand them a second card.

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