Spatial Reasoning Skills

As an educator team, we have been exploring the importance of teaching spatial reasoning to our mathematicians. We have been amazed at the complexity of thinking required to be efficient with these skills. As educators it is important we are providing many opportunities for our learners to explore geometry-- and recognizing that geometry is much more than just naming shapes and stating their attributes. Spatial reasoning can be broken down into the following skills (from Taking Shape):

• Visualization 
• Mental rotation
• Visual-spatial working memory
• Information processing
• Spatial langugae
• Gestures

We need to be looking at all of these skills when exploring geometry, not just the language piece. This also provides an access point for all learners, no matter their skills.

The Hexagon Card Game from Taking Shape (see below) 

A symmetrical design

Recreating her design

Directional language & coding 

Using mandalas to create symmetrical designs

Finding pentominoes that fit where the cubes or spaces are.

 

If you're looking for some practical resources to support your own learning about spatial reasoning, here are a few we enjoy:

Taking Shape - As a Kindergarten team, we are working through this book. It has lesson plans, activities and black-line masters. We highly recommend this.

Paying Attention to Spatial Reasoning

Five Compelling Reasons for Teaching Spatial Reasoning to Young Learners

Why Spatial Reasoning is Crucial for Early Math Education