Learning Resources LER 0144 User Manual

• Invite children to create their own designs with

Parquetry Blocks. Outline the blocks on paper,

and exchange them with a friend.

• Play a Parquetry Block matching game! Place all

blocks in a center pile. Each player chooses five

blocks at random, which will become his or her

"hand." Player 1 closes his or her eyes and

LER 0144

chooses one block from the pile. If it matches a

block in his or her hand, the pair is set aside, and

the player takes another turn. If the player is not

holding a matching block, the new one is added

to the player’s hand, and another player takes a

turn. Game play continues until one player is out

of blocks. The player with the most pairs wins!

Learning Resources Ltd., King’s Lynn, Norfolk (U.K.)

LRM 0144-TG

For a dealer near you, call:

(800) 222-3909 (U.S. & Canada)

+44 (0)1553 762276 (U.K. & Europe)

WARNING:

CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts.

Not for children under 3 years.

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Get a "handle" on early geometry skills with this

Parquetry Pals Set (LER 0144)! Filled with hands-

on activity cards, these puzzles develop color

recognition, motor coordination, visual and spatial

relations, and early geometry skills.

• 32 wooden Parquetry Blocks (red, orange, green,

purple, blue, and yellow) in 3 shapes

• 4 Activity Cards

Parquetry Blocks are made of wood, and come in

three geometric shapes: parallelograms, triangles,

and squares. Each shape is designed to fit with

another, using the basic principles of geometry and

angles. For best results, work on a smooth surface

when using Parquetry Blocks and the activity cards.

Allow children exploration time with the Parquetry

Blocks. Separate the blocks by color and shape.

Invite children to explore the various ways the

shapes fit together by creating a design! Then,

work on the first puzzle together, and allow

children to continue with the puzzles as their skill

level allows. More than one solution to a puzzle

may be possible.

• Shape and Color Recognition

The activities provide colors and outlines for each

design. Invite your child to match the shapes

and colors shown for early designing fun!

• Advanced Matching/Spatial Relations

These cards show the colors needed, but partial

outlines only. Children should try to finish the

puzzle with the correct colors and shapes to

create an interesting design.

• As children complete puzzles, introduce counting.

Ask them, "How many pieces are in the puzzle?

How many of those pieces are red? blue?

yellow?" etc.

• Explore shape identification with Parquetry

Blocks. Explain that a square has four sides and

four equal angles, a triangle has three sides and

varying angles, and a parallelogram has four

sides and equal opposite angles. Point to each

shape as you name them together. Ask children

to show you a square, a triangle and a

parallelogram for reinforcement.

• Count the number of squares in a design.

Then invite children to count the number of red

squares in the design. Introduce the concept of

"more than" or "less than" by comparing the

number of green squares to the number of red

squares used in each design.

• Build on counting principles by introducing

fractions with Parquetry Blocks. After creating the

designs on the activity cards, explain that each

color represents a part, or fraction of the total

number of that shape. For instance, if there are

eight squares in the design, and three of them

are red, the fraction of red squares is . Continue

naming fractions of shapes together. Then, ask

higher level questions like, "Which colored shape

is represented by ?" etc.

• Investigate parallel lines with Parquetry Blocks.

Explain "Parallel lines are two lines running

in the same direction, that never touch." Use the

edges of squares and parallelograms to illustrate

this concept. Invite children to create their own

designs with these shapes individually, then

combine them. See how many different designs

you can make!

• Introduce the concept of symmetry. Explain that a

symmetrical image is evenly arranged around an

imaginary line of symmetry, which cuts the

image in half. Challenge children to find activity

cards with lines of symmetry and make

symmetrical designs of their own.

Block Set

Parquetry Block Puzzles

This Puzzle Kit Contains:

Introducing the puzzle set

Skills covered in Parquetry Pals

Parquetry Blocks

Fun Activities with Parquetry Pals

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