This took a lot of trial and error! I came up with a set of regular polygons that you can cut out of standard 3 mm corrugated cardboard. The edges snap together so you can make a lot of shapes. I cut this out this weekend and used them this week with 2nd - 7th graders for two days, doing math explorations. They worked great. The edges are “grabby” enough to hold together well, not too grabby that they can’t come apart easily, and the shapes are surprisingly durable. I thought they’d be worn out after two days but they look like, and work like they’re new.
This is inexpensive quality material for a classroom. You’ll want to cut one of each of the pdfs from single-wall cardboard for each set. In the classroom, one set is good for 4-5 kids to explore with and build the Platonic solids.
If you make some and try them out, I’d love to hear about it. Enjoy!
NB: Any time you’re cutting corrugated cardboard, keep an eye on your GF. I’ve had corrugated catch fire before. I was glad I was watching!
PS: I just noticed this picture file’s name is IMG_1234.jpg. I had to check my photo album to see if this really was the file name or if it was a strange renaming when uploading to this forum. It’s the real name… how fun!
mathspace.xyz - 10 hexagons.pdf (18.8 KB) mathspace.xyz - 14 pentagons.pdf (21.9 KB) mathspace.xyz - 24 squares.pdf (25.0 KB) mathspace.xyz - 50 triangles.pdf (42.6 KB)
