How to Make Geoboards

Geoboards are not really expensive to buy, but I've found that the children are more interested in things that they have had a hand in making.

1. We had some extra boards around that were a foot wide, so we used those, cutting them into squares that were also a foot tall.

2. With a little sanding, the boards were smoothed. We could have stained, sealed, or painted them, but we didn't.

3. We used a ruler and marked off the board with 10 little "x"-es. Begin in 1-1/2 inches from the side edge, then mark a spot every inch. It will cover 9 inches (beginning at 1-1/2 and ending at 10-1/2), but uses10 marks with a 1-1/2 inch border all around.

4. Repeat the above going down, and filling in across so that you have 100 "x"-es.

5. Pound a small nail in at each "x", having 100 nails total.

6. Use rubber bands of various lengths to make geometrical designs.

************** We did the same sort of thing as above, but used a circular shape instead of a square. You will need a compass with a protractor measure to draw the outer edge of the circle and to mark off increments around it that are evenly spaced. It is a little more difficult when making one with a circle, but it is fun to show how a triangle or a square can fit inside a circle.

contributed by Susan Kalis