Breaking-through the classroom!

What's corner work? We divide the class in different groups of four pupils and let each cluster perform his own activity.

Organizing each week corner work is a large task for an individual teacher.

By cooperation between different classes this working-method becomes more efficient. After all each teacher has his own specialities.

It's also more interesting for pupils because they find it more challenging to contribute to a sophisticated activity.

Strategy (for 4 teachers and 4 classes of the third grade)

We divide all children of the 4 classes in heterogeneous groups. Each group consists of 4 children (one pupil of each class). So we get 24 groups. Each teacher works during 7 activities (once a week) with 6 clusters in his own working room. (1 period exploring and 6 periods performing)

Finally the 6 groups work in turn in the 6 corners during 6 periods. After 7 weeks, each teacher takes care of 6 new clusters.

Build on both sides of a mirror (= a means to check) a construction that's the mirror image of the other. In turn there has to be placed a brick on each side of the mirror.

Cover a grid according to a given code with stacked cubes. The colour determinates the number of bricks to be placed on each other. We work with a 3x3 or 5x5 grid, small or big format, with adapted wooden or plastic cubes.

Reassemble a complicated geometrical figure devided into pieces.

By:

Structure a set of figures (wooden blocks) so that you get a given figure which is drawn on a card where you can find the solution on the back.

Structure a set of figures (of plasticized carton) so that you get a figure which has the shape of an egg (or other given figures).

Structure 4 figures (of plasticized carton) so you get a figure which has the shape of the letter T.

Structure a set of coloured pieces so that you get an entire figure.

By

Software: Tangroos (Windows 3.1, mouse, 82 Kb); shareware.

Copy a construction. The original can be found in a transpararent box which shouldn't be opened.

Construct the mirror image of a stack of cubes to be build. The number of blocks to be put on each other is marked on a grid with a numerical code.

Form (or choose) the right pattern with geometrical pieces.

Starting with a schematic representation (scheme with view from above, view from the back, front view or profile) build a three-dimensional construction.

Follow the right way in a grid (filled with drawings) in accordance with a given number of arrows (pointed to the left, to the right, up or down).

Put together or structure surfaces so that you get new figures by means of 6 coloured polygons.

Fill up surfaces or construct mirror images in a grid with coloured 'discs' with or without the help of a mirror that can be placed on the screen of the computer.

The grid can take a different density, the discs a different size.

Software: Mosaic (MS-DOS, mouse, 64 Kb); shareware.

Build drawings of stacked cubes in reality and count the number of blocks.

Rebuild a construction similar in shape but with smaller bricks.

Put together patterns with coloured blocks according to a given task.

Cover different surfaces in the right way with a number of parts.

Stack plastic cubes on a grid where digits mark the number of blocks (to be placed on each other) and draw the front view and profile of the construction.

Fill surfaces with 'dropping' squares (or combinations of squares). The speed by which new blocks drop down or are put on the screen determinates the level.

Software: Tetris (MS-DOS, mouse, 20 Kb); freeware.

Software: Quantik (MS-DOS, mouse, 193 Kb); shareware; the figures can be moved, the size can be adjusted, the grid can made visible or invisible.

Count the number of triangles in a geometrical figure by tracing the lines in different colours.

Trace and recognize the front view, profile or view from the back of objects or stacked blocks (by taking a picture) by moving oneself mentally or physically in the environment.

Determinate the place and/or the way to be followed in a ground plan (grid) by means of coordinates and a description.

Play the game 'sea battle'.

Recognize complicated structures in the own natural environment or in a schematic representation.

Cover complicated patterns completely with simple equal tiles (flat figures). Check whether complete covering is possible.

Create or complete other figures with various figures from which shape and colour can be chosen or construct mirror images of figures.

A mirror can be used on the screen as a tool or as an aid to verify.

Software: Tiles (MS-DOS, mouse, 39 Kb); shareware.

Complete surfaces with 'dropping' squares or combinations of squares. The speed by which these blocks drop down or the structure of these dropping figures determinate the level.