On this page: Learn & Practice | Manipulatives | Picture Books
learn & practice
βοΈ Geometry Workbooks from Kumon. For kids who would benefit from extra practice, the Kumon math workbooks are an appealing and cost-effective option. Each grade-leveled book features a clean layout and logical progression of skills. Here are the books in the Geometry & Measurement Series: Grade 1 (2D and 3D shapes), Grade 2 (more shapes), Grade 3 (composite shapes; area), Grade 4 (lines, angles, circles, area, perimeter, and volume), Grade 5 (parallel, perpendicular, polygons, circumference and diameter, volume), and Grade 6 (symmetry, properties of a circle, reflection, rotation, translation). β Preschool β’ Elementary
βοΈ Khan Academy math modules. Khan Academy offers a wealth of free math educational resources, including a large library of instructional videos and online practice problem sets. β All
Tip β On Khan Academy, the Geometry modules are divided by grade: Grade 1 provides practice with identifying shapes. Grade 2 covers shape identification and cutting circles and rectangles into equal parts. Grade 3 has three modules that introduce concepts in geometry: Quadrilaterals, Perimeter, and Area. These modules offer practice with identifying, analyzing, and classifying quadrilaterals, finding the area of rectangles and composite shapes, and finding the perimeter of different shapes. Grade 4 has three modules that deal with topics in geometry: Plane figures, Measuring angles, and Area and perimeter. Grade 5 contains two modules that address topics in geometry: Volume and and Properties of shapes. Grade 6 teaches finding the area of a triangle, trapezoid, parallelogram, and composite shape, finding the volume of a solid, finding area and perimeter on the coordinate plane, and finding the surface area of a solid.
βοΈ Geometry modules from CK12. CK12 offers free, adaptive online practice across all areas of math. In Basics of Geometry, learn about 2-D shapes, line segments, and angles. In Triangles, find area and perimeter and practice classifying triangles. In Quadrilaterals, learn about the basics of squares, rectangles, finding area and perimeter, and classifying quadrilaterals. In Solid Figures, identify faces, edges, and vertices, find net and surface area, and calculate area and volume of various solids. Finally, Rigid Transformations includes a section on symmetry. β Elementary
βοΈ Area Builder from PhET. Try this fun online simulation from PhET: βCreate your own shapes using colorful blocks and explore the relationship between perimeter and area. Compare the area and perimeter of two shapes side-by-side. Challenge yourself in the game screen to build shapes or find the area of funky figures.β β Elementary β’ Middle
βΆοΈ The infinite life of pi from TED-Ed. βThe ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is always the same: 3.14159... and on and on (literally!) forever. This irrational number, pi, has an infinite number of digits, so we'll never figure out its exact value no matter how close we seem to get. Reynaldo Lopes explains pi's vast applications to the study of music, financial models, and even the density of the universe.β β Middle β’ High
manipulatives
βGeometric Solids. A set of geometric solids is a must-have manipulative for an elementary-level unit on geometry. The linked set from Learning Resources is made of soft foam and consists of 12 solids, including a sphere, hemisphere, pyramid, prisms, cone, cylinders, and cubes. β All
β Geometry Kit. For the upper elementary grades, plan to purchase a simple geometry kit to help your child practice drawing and evaluating geometric shapes. These can be bought online or found easily at any office supply store. Look for a kit that contains a protractor, small ruler, set squares, and compasses. β All
picture books
Picture books are a fun, low-stress way to introduce new mathematical concepts.
π Spaghetti and Meatballs for All! by Marilyn Burns. The Comforts are having a big crowd over for dinner, but how should the tables and chairs be arranged so that everyone gets a seat? Interwoven into the story is a fairly subtle introduction to area and perimeter; the end material helps make these concepts more concrete. β Elementary
π Zachary Zormer, Shape Transformer by Joanne Anderson Reisberg. β"Week after week [in math class] Zack takes on a different math concept β length, width, area, perimeter β with surprising projects including a mobius strip, a paper frame large enough to step through, and a light show that demonstrates how the sun heats the earth." This is a neat introduction to some cool geometric concepts. β Elementary
π Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander. The First Round Table, the first book in the Sir Cumference series, introduces polygons and the basic properties of a circle β circumference, diameter, and radius. Some extra discussion will be required to help your child fully grasp the mathematical elements of the Sir Cumference stories. Endnotes provide more information. β Elementary
π Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander. Explore the magical number pi (Ο) in this Sir Cumference adventure: A potion has transformed Sir Cumference into a fire-breathing dragon, and his son Radius must solve a riddle to reveal the cure. β Elementary
π Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter by Cindy Neuschwander. βJoin Sir Cumference and the gang for more wordplay, puns, and problem solving in the clever math adventure that introduces readers to the concepts of area and perimeters.β β Elementary
π Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland by Cindy Neuschwander. Learn about angles and the use of a protractor in this math adventure: βRadius must prove himself on his quest for knighthood by rescuing a king. Sent off with the family medallion for luck, Radius dodges dangers and dragons. The ultimate challenge lies in a mysterious castle with a maze of many angles. With a medallion at the back of the book readers can jump in the adventure and help Radius find the right angle.β β Elementary
π Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone by Cindy Neuschwander. Introduce kids to the properties of three-dimensional solids β cubes, pyramids, cylinders, and cones β in this Sir Cumference picture book. β Elementary
π The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky. Born in Greece, Eratosthenes spent his adult life in the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria. This picture book describes how Eratosthenes accurately calculated Earthβs circumference over two thousand years ago. The text is simple enough for younger children, who will enjoy learning about life in ancient Alexandria; however, the mathematical concepts are more relevant to older students. β Elementary β’ Middle
π Seeing Symmetry by Loreen Leedy. This appealing visual introduction to linear symmetry and rotational symmetry gives plenty of examples from nature and art. Suggested activities are provided in the back. β Elementary