Stars of 6 and 8
In one of our Ramadan crafts, we had made a star threading activity that doubled up as a decoration. That gave me an idea for a multiplication activity with some inspiration from the Waldorf star multiplication wooden block.
So today we made two stars, one 8-pointed and one 6-pointed. I reviewed with Sarah how we got the 8-pointer from two squares. A square has 4 edges and when we put two together we get 8 edges that are also the points for the stars.
When I cut out 2 triangles, I pointed out that to get the star we wanted we needed an equilateral triangle, one whose sides are all equal. Sarah pointed out how it was like a square; all the sides are equal, just that now we have only 3 sides. And 3 and 3 makes six.
We start by counting the number of points and the child then writes the quantity where she stops. She then puts a marker at the point opposite, and continues counting from there. She should end just before the marker for the next multiple and writes down the quantity. We used a rock from our collection as a marker.
When the child has completed one round she can continue another cycle but now writes the quantity in another colour under the first number.
So today we made two stars, one 8-pointed and one 6-pointed. I reviewed with Sarah how we got the 8-pointer from two squares. A square has 4 edges and when we put two together we get 8 edges that are also the points for the stars.
When I cut out 2 triangles, I pointed out that to get the star we wanted we needed an equilateral triangle, one whose sides are all equal. Sarah pointed out how it was like a square; all the sides are equal, just that now we have only 3 sides. And 3 and 3 makes six.
When the child has completed one round she can continue another cycle but now writes the quantity in another colour under the first number.
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