A Free iPad App.

Years ago, in a past life, I initiated the making of 20 geoboards for each class in a large Auckland Intermediate School.  The geoboard is a great piece of equipment to not only explore various shapes(Juniors) to higher levels of geometry and or solving problems such as "Pick's Theorem"
It is also interesting to note that Geoboards were issued to every junior school in NZ as part of  "Beginning School Mathematics"
Unfortunately this equipment is not used as widely or effectively as it could be.
Word of warning:  Set rules for use of the rubber bands if not using the iPad App. 
NOTE: There no directions with the App, the teacher needs to set tasks for the students to investigate or allow free exploration with the students sharing their discoveries

 

"Geoboards - these are brilliant and I have lots of plastic ones and rubber bands that I lug around schools with me. However, sometimes I can't or don't want to, and on those occasions this FREE app would be great. On the Ipad you can select a far larger pinboard as well (this feature not available on the iphone version of the app)
Using piles of 'virtual' rubber bands (which are far harder to flick around the classroom), students can create geometrical shapes, explore areas and perimeters, scaling, symmetry and much more. 
My personal favourite activity with these is the surprisingly little known 'Pick's Theorem' - why not Google it to find out if it is something your class would enjoy and learn from?"
-Andrew Jeffery