O uso do Tangram para o ensino da matemática

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the implications of using Tangram as a manipulative teaching resource in playful activities for constructing geometric concepts. Tangram is an ancient Chinese puzzle surrounded by legends and its main objective is to form figures using its seven pieces. The study discussed the difficulties of teaching Geometry in schools and sought to promote learning through play. In addition to addressing the history of the origin of Tangram, the activities carried out investigated the potential of this material for constructing concepts of Plane Geometry. The methodology used is qualitative, focused on the individual with all their complexity, valuing their interactions in the environment. The target audience consisted of students from an 8th grade class of Elementary School in a state public school located in the city of Presidente Bernardes - MG. The activities were developed over four hours/classes and, for the production of data, records were necessary through photographs, clippings of printed activities solved by the students and notes in a field notebook. In addition, an interview was conducted at the last meeting to analyze information related to the experiences of those students in the school environment, their perceptions about Geometry and to obtain feedback on the activities developed in previous meetings. The analysis of the data produced was conducted through an articulation between the practical stages of the research and the theoretical framework studied. Through the activities, it was possible to verify that Tangram contributed significantly to the study of geometric concepts since it facilitated visual and practical representation. Keywords: Mathematics Education, Elementary Education, Manipulable Teaching Resource, Playful Activities, Plane Geometry.