Cooperation Blocks

Alan L. Tobecksen              Henry Clay Elementary School
                               13231 Burley
                               Chicago IL 60633
                               (312)535-5600

Objectives:

This activity is suitable for K - 12.

1. Students will work together cooperatively.
2. Student teams will assemble 5 geometric square puzzles.

Materials Needed:

Each group of 5 students will need 5 packets pre-prepared with the puzzle 
pieces.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  
x          x          x   x x                x  x   x         x           x   
x          x x        x   x   x             x   x   x  2A   x             x  
x          x x   4A   x   x    x    2A     x    x   x     x               x  
x          x  x       x   x     x         x     x   x   x                 x  
x          x   x      x   x      x       x      x   x x                   x
x          x    x     x   x       x     x       x   x                     x
x  1A      x     x    x   x        x   x        x   x            xxxxxxxxxx
x          x      x   x   x          x          x   x     4A     x        x
x          x  3A   x  x   x   3A     x    4A    x   x            x        x 
x          x        x x   x          x          x   x            x  1A    x
x          x         xx   x          x          x   x            x        x
x          x          x   x          x          x   x            x        x
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
   


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
x         x           x   x         x          xx     Cut 5  6" x 6"
x 5A    x             x   x  3A   x           x x     posterboard into
x     x               x   x     x           x   x     these 15 pieces.
x   x                 x   x   x           x     x     Mark each piece as
x x                   x   x x   5A      x       x     indicated.  Place
x         3A          x   x           x         x     the pieces in 5
x                     x   x         x           x     envelopes marked
x                   x x   x        x            x     1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A.
x                 x   x   x      x              x 
x               x     x   x    x        1A      x 
x             x  5A   x   x  x                  x 
x           x         x   xx                    x
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
 
Strategy:

Each student in the group gets an envelope with puzzle pieces.  Unfortunately, 
no single envelope has the right pieces to assemble a square.  Students are not    
allowed to talk or ask for a puzzle piece or in any way indicate that they want  
or need a piece.  However, students may give away any or all of their puzzle     
pieces to another team member. 

Performance Assessment:

Activity is complete when all 5 squares are assembled properly.

Conclusion:

Great fun!