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Piece by Piece: Awakening Computational and Geometric Thinking in the 1st Cycle of Basic Education - The Manipulation of Pattern Blocks
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Author(s): Joana Martins (School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal), Daniela Mascarenhas (Centre for Research and Innovation in Education, School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal)and Sara Paredes (Colégio Oceanus, Portugal)
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 40
Source title:
Building Teaching Competencies for AI-Driven and Inclusive Learning
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Mário Cruz (Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal), Ricardo Queirós (Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal)and Daniela Mascarenhas (Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal)
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3373-7729-2.ch011
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Abstract
The materials manipulation plays a key role in mathematics education by transforming abstract concepts into concrete experiences. This paper presents an exploratory qualitative study focused on how Pattern Blocks promote computational and geometric thinking in 25 first grade students from a Portuguese private school. Over five formative sessions, children participated in practical activities which echoed the national curriculum such as identifying, composing and decomposing shapes. Observations of classes, video recordings and document analysis were used to collect data. Both physical and digital Pattern Blocks facilitate mathematical learning by promoting spatial awareness, logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. The students developed their out-of-the-box and critical thinking, abstraction and collaboration. The study concludes that the integration of structured material promotes meaningful, student centered, active, and collaborative learning, while effectively developing computational and geometric thinking in early mathematics education.
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