Drawing Stars & Building Polyhedra
Polyhedra are three-dimensional figures with flat polygonal surfaces. You probably know them as solids. Christopher Freeman knows them as the door to mathematical motivation and imagination. As both a teacher and a student of concept mathematics, and a proponent of three-dimensional problem solving, I fully agree.The workbook sizeDrawing Stars and Polyhedraexpands the mathematical drawing of star patterns into three-dimensional constructions while guiding students to inductively develop definitions, test conjectures, and analyze properties of geometric shapes. NCTM standards in the areas of numbers and operations, geometry, reasoning and proof, and connections are clearly addressed in the introduction section to each unit. Lessons are open-ended and allow for more advanced students to work independently on more difficult lessons; a real plus for the regular education classroom teacher with multiple mathematics groups.Drawing Stars and Polyhedraexhibits a level of creative giftedness often lacking in mathematics instruction. The interdisciplinary connections and problem solving opportunities these forms present are limited only by the imagination. This is a thinking book for student and teacher alike. --Tina Forester,TEMPO, Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, Spring 2004