World of Tan - A Storm in a Tea Cup

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Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2
Children you may like to:
  • complete the silhouettes of two of the convex shapes that can be made;
  • find out what you can about the terms convex and concave. Find ways of explaining the ideas to your friend, family and teacher.
  • make a collection of things that are concave or convex or both;
  • invent an acrostic for both CONCAVE and for CONVEX (hint: Xray/ Xylophone/ Xmas..).
Parents you may like to:
  • explain your understanding of the terms convex and concave and how you remember which is which;
  • form a collection of things from around the house that are convex/ concave in design; e.g. a empty cup - is this convex or concave or both? what about a full cup?
  • explore what happens when looking in convex/ concave mirrors
  • find other words that are often used to mean convex/ concave Can you find a 7 letter word for convex? 8 letter word for concave? etc..
Teachers you may like to:
  • investigate the other 11 REMAINING convex figures that can be made using the tangram
  • explore when convex/ concave lens and mirrors are used and why.
  • explore more fully the mathematical definitions for convex and concave shapes (see below)
  • consider where terms like 'rude health' come from and try to list more that are similar
  • discuss in what other contexts animals are used to describe behaviour and other human characteristics? e.g. (Mai Ling) being badgered by the workmen horsing around! wolfing food down!......

Published November 2000.