The beginning is very easy so everyone can become involved quickly.

The squares can be drawn on the board to demonstrate what is happening. This introduction could be carried on in this way with the rectangles and diamonds before the children start working at their own pace.

It helps to have both squared and isometric paper available. This should be 'dotty paper' if possible, as it is easier to see the shapes if only the necessary lines are drawn. Scissors might be helpful even for the shapes which do not have to be cut.

The triangles should not prove difficult although some children may need the hint that all the shapes need not all be the same way up.

The hexagons are likely to prove the first real difficulty and children will reach different solutions. They may need to count little triangles to be convinced that they have actually fitted in 4 hexagons into the larger one. possibly the simplest solution is to cut one hexagon into 3 diamonds and fit all together like this:

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With very visual work such as this some children show unexpected talent and others, who usually succeed at once, have blocks. This means that it is specially helpful if the children have a few minutes later to jot down their feelings.

How did you feel if you got stuck?
What or who helped you?
How did you feel when you cracked the problem?