Geoboard Squares

[Decoration]

Geoboard Squares

Pupils Investigate patterns in the number of nails on a geoboard used to form a square.

Practical details

Suitability
National Curriculum levels 6 to 7
Time
30 minutes to 1 hour
Resources
Ruler, pencil, calculator and 1 cm squared dotted paper

Key Processes involved

Representing
Draw squares on centimetre squared dotty paper.
Analysing
Count the ‘nails’ round the edge and in the centre of their squares. Collect results into a table and look for patterns in the numbers.
Interpreting and evaluating
Use their patterns to answer the questions on the sheet.
Communicating
Explain what patterns they find and how they have used them to answer the questions.

Teacher guidance

Check that pupils fully understand the context, for example, show them a geoboard with a square on it and ask:

  • Can you see that the third square has 12 nails round the edge and 4 in the middle?
  • Read all the questions and answer them as carefully as you can.
  • Show all your working so that I can understand your thinking.

Pupils may tackle the task in different ways, but they might be expected to:

  • Draw squares
  • Count the nails on the edges and inside the squares
  • Put their results into a table
  • Find patterns in their results
  • Use these patterns when answering the questions on the sheet