How Do You Teach Congruence And Similarity?
From second grade through sixth grade, elementary school students learn about congruent and similar shapes during math class. Math Open Reference defines congruent as “similar in size and shape” and similar as “the same shape, but can be different sizes.” The article “Manipulatives: A Hands-on Approach to Math” shares results from a study which suggests that “spectacular results can be achieved when learning is taken off the chalkboard and literally put into the hands of the learners themselves.” Use hands-on math manipulatives to teach the concepts of congruent and similar to elementary students. Hold up a baseball and a softball. Ask your students to tell you how the two balls are alike. Lead them in a discussion to determine that they have the same shape but are different sizes or similar. Hold up another ball, either a baseball or a softball but of a different color, with the matching white ball. Ask your students how the two balls are alike. Direct them to the idea that the two ba
