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How to Make a Tangram

Tangrams originated in China and are frequently used in mathematics classes in elementary and middle school as a way of teaching logic and creativity with geometric forms. Using the pieces cut from a square, hundreds of different shapes can be created. Create your own tangram and let your creativity soar.

Things You'll Need

  • square piece of paper (construction, posterboard, or other type of heavy paper).
  • scissors
  • marker or pen
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin with a square of paper.

    • 2

      Cut the square into two large triangles, from one corner to the opposite corner.

    • 3

      Fold one of these triangles in half and cut along the fold line, creating two equal triangles. Set aside.

    • 4

      Fold the point of the second large triangle to the long side, and cut along the fold. Set aside the newly cut small triangle.

    • 5

      Fold the large parallelogram in half and cut it into two pieces.

    • 6

      Fold one of the smaller pieces so that it creates a triangle and a square. Cut along the fold line. Set aside the triangle and square.

    • 7

      For the remaining piece, fold up one side into a triangle shape, so that you are left with a triangle and a parallelogram. Cut long the fold line. You should now have seven shapes with which to create new shapes.

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