Maths in Motion Workbook is the 1st intellectual output of Maths in Motion project and collects all the existed activities and research on specific mathematical areas in connection with movement. The 3 mathematical areas are: Sense of Space; from 2D to 3D, Mathematical Operations and Patterns. The materials are free to be used and shared.

Creative team: Lena Nasiakou (lenasiakou@gmail.com), Svetlana Goranova (sveta@zabavnamatematika.com), Kristofer Fenyvesi (fenyvesi.kristof@gmail.com), Despoina Rafailidou (despoina.raf@gmail.com)

ACTIVITIES | Sense of space; from 2D to 3D

Triangles with bodies

Source: Math dance - Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern


The activity explores the basic shape triangle through different elements of our bodies (legs, hands,fingers, whole body). The session involves individual exercise, as well as group exercise. During the session students learn different types of triangles, explore their qualities and learn to move from one triangle to another another in an engaging activity with his team members. In the end a performance part is included.

Translation/Sliding symmetry. Follow the leader.

Source: Math dance - Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern


The activity explores one of the 4 main symmetries - the translation or sliding symmetry through different elements of our bodies (legs, hands, direction of movement). The session involves group exercise, where one is the leader and the others are the followers. In the end of the session every group presents a dance made up of certain movements of this symmetry. In the end a reflection part is included.

Rotational symmetry. Follow the leader.

Source: Math dance - Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern


The activity explores one of the 4 main symmetries - the rotation symmetry through different elements of our bodies (legs, hands, direction of movement). The session involves group exercise, where one is the leader and the others are the followers. In the end of the session every group presents a dance made up of certain movements of this symmetry. In the end a reflection part is included.

Mirror symmetry. Follow the leader.

Source: Math dance - Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern


The activity explores one of the 4 main symmetries - the mirror symmetry through different elements of our bodies (legs, hands, direction of movement). The session involves group exercise, where one is the leader and the others are the followers. In the end of the session every group presents a dance made up of certain movements of this symmetry. In the end a reflection part is included.

Move a shape in space

Source: Math dance - Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern


The activity serves as a warm up or energizing activity in between another activity. During the activity students show physically using hands imaginary shapes and hand them in a circle to their classmates.

Symmetrical or not

Source: Maths & Moves training course


The activity explores the 4 main symmetries - rotation, mirror, glide and translation symmetry through different elements of our bodies (legs, hands, direction of movement). The session involves group exercise, where one is the leader and the others are the followers. Every leader is associated with a certain symmetry. During the activity, everyone from the group becomes a leader and leads the others following a different symmetry. In the end of the session every group presents a dance made up of certain movements of their symmetries. In the end a reflection part is included.

Exploring pyramids

Source: Math dance - Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern


The activity explores the pyramid through different elements of our bodies (legs, hands,fingers, whole body) in pairs and groups of 6. During the session students learn about the triangular and quadratic pyramid, explore their qualities in an engaging activity with his team members. In the end a performance part is included.

Glide symmetry. Follow the leader.

Source: Math dance - Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern


The activity explores one of the 4 main symmetries - the glide symmetry through different elements of our bodies (legs, hands, direction of movement). The session involves group exercise, where one is the leader and the others are the followers. In the end of the session every group presents a dance made up of certain movements of this symmetry. In the end a reflection part is included.

Figures with strings

Source: Math dance - Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Sternr


The activity aims to get a tangible perception of two-dimensional basic shapes in space. During the activity students play with a rope and learn about different geometrical aspects, which differ according to students age. Once students are ready with shapes, they learn how to move from one shape to another while staying together with the rope. The activity consists of group activities, followed by a reflection part.