Mount Lemmon, AZ
Concentricity is something that others would say is too early to teach the little ones about. I strongly disagree on this note. Basically, Concentricity happens when there is a common center shared among other circles or spheres. What I have found are some other examples that go outside of the rule of circles. With the kids, we have found examples with triangles and ovals.
So by trying to keep this short and sweet for this month’s post, look at the examples below. When Concentricity happens out in Nature, it is so easy to just point that moment out to our children, regardless of age. This happens outside our home, inside the home, and in our food. I hope this encourages you to go find more examples where you live. 🙂
Concentric Circles:
Tree rings are about the most common one that all of us can identify as they are concentric circles. The sliced beets you see below are candy-striped beets and they taste delicious!
Concentric Triangles:
This Pine is a wonderful example of concentric triangles. So go out to the forest and see what the trees can teach you! 🙂 Let us not forget the strawberries too!
Palisades on Mount Lemmon, AZ
Strawberries 🙂
Concentric Ovals and More:
Kiwi is just as delicious and a great tool to show Concentricity. This beautiful Agate can be debated on whether this shape is an oval, or an ellipse, or a five-sided figure. Either way, I see the Concentricity here too 🙂 Do you?
Something To Think About:
How about squares? When do concentric squares happen? How about other shapes? Where do you see them? Think about it and start exploring! That is the beauty about Mathematics as it is out there and there are so many opportunities for more than one answer because that is just how it is. Just because a definition of Concentricity only includes circles, or spheres does not mean that there is no likelihood of an exception for that definition. When we are able to discover and see the exceptions when they happen, that is where the heart and beauty of Mathematics exists. These interesting surprises are the most important to point out to the children! and to you!
Learning about Geometry, especially Concentricity, at such an early stage in life gives them the opportunity to see it everywhere. Once a child, or any person of any age, is able to see the Geometry, it becomes more tangible when it is time to learn more in the classroom. It then becomes more relevant and more important to them to learn because Mathematics is even more interesting than rules and procedures, it is about exploring and experiencing what happens outside your door.
Have fun learning and exploring together! 🙂
copyright 2016 Christina Grossman. All Rights Reserved
Learning Math with Mom 