• NUMBER: Counting, Pattern, Fractions
• Measurements: Perimeter, Area
• probability:
Colour tiles are 25 mm (1 in) square tiles (5 mm thick) that come in four colours. They are the ideal manipulative for developing measurement concepts such as area. Area is simply a measure of covering. Square tiles are the ideal unit for covering an area as they tessellate, that is, tile without a gap.
Videos
Mathematical Language
Area, chance, maybe, pattern, perimeter, possibly, probably.
Note that many students mix up the idea of area and perimeter. The word perimeter is made up of two base words, meter (to measure) and peri (around). Sharing the origin of the word perimeter may help.
Using Colour Tiles
Number
Simple Counting
Pattern
Colour tiles may be used to illustrate the relationship between patterns. For example, the square numbers may be depicted using colour tiles.
Fractions
Fraction understanding may be fostered by asking students to build a shape that is one-fourth red and three-fourths blue.
Probablitity
Colour tiles may be placed into a drawstring bag and tiles drawn out to conduct probability experiments and collect data.
Measurement
Using tiles to cover an area
Geometry
Symmetry
Typical Classroom Requirements
class set:
One tub of 250 colour tiles per group of 4 students. Eight tubs for a class of 32.
Support and Complementary Materials
