 Oblong Or Rectangle? |
29th July 2010 - 11:52
Foundation Stage Forum > Reception and Key Stage 1 discussions > School Curriculum and General issues  |
 Nov 5 2008, 20:24
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#1
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Feet firmly under the table!  Group: Members Posts: 132 Joined: 6-April 08 Member No.: 11,891  |
Is there a maths wizz out there who can give me the latest on this old chestnut, please? Last time I asked a numeracy consultant, I was told that we were supposed to explain that a rectangle was a shape with 4 right angles and therefore could be either an oblong or a square. Is that still right, or is oblong met with sharp intakes of breath as it once was?
Thanks, Tracylu  |
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Nov 5 2008, 20:39
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#2
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Feet firmly under the table! Group: Members Posts: 132 Joined: 6-April 08 Member No.: 11,891 |
Ah - Problem solved. Found this on the national centre for excellence in teaching maths - if it's good nough for them....http://www.ncetm.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=...or+Rectangle%3F
Tracylu [/quote] |
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Nov 5 2008, 20:57
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#3
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 lunar gardener  Group: Moderator and FSF Saint Posts: 4,339 Joined: 12-April 03 From: an anenome Member No.: 73 |
Ahah that old chestnut. Glad you found that answer, its always one of those tricky ones where many books still use the term rectangle, but I have noticed more now using the word oblong. I always explain it in the way described in your link, that a square and an oblong are 'special' rectangles. The clue is in the word... 'long' indicating that the oblong has longer and shorter sides.
-------------------- If I were dropped out of a plane into the ocean and told the nearest land was a thousand miles away, I'd still swim. (Maslow) |
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Nov 5 2008, 21:05
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#4
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 Landscape design and gardening consultancy! Group: FSF Saint and Moderator Posts: 4,321 Joined: 5-October 03 From: Greater Manchester Member No.: 1,195 |
This is a problem isn't it as we are used to using rectangle for a shape with two sides longer that the other two, and square for a shape with all four sides the same length? A rectangle is a shape with 4 ninety degree angles, so a square and what we call a rectangle are both rectangles. An oblong has two sides longer than the other two sides, but still has 4 ninety degree angles. We are used to using the term square for a shape with all sides all the same length which is correct, and rectangle for two sides long and two sides short, when actually that is an oblong. I suppose we go for custom and practice now, as that is what everyone is used to
 . It seems to me that it would have been simpler if some time ago this was sorted out, instead of allowed to establish itself in this way.-------------------- The challenge is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.
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Nov 5 2008, 22:46
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#5
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 Landscape design and gardening consultancy! Group: FSF Saint and Moderator Posts: 6,902 Joined: 29-March 03 From: Hampshire Member No.: 64 |
It will always be an oblong to me - it's what my mum taught me, so it must be right!
 However, some children look at you as if you are bonkers if you call it that. 
-------------------- Carol
The World is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning. – Ivy Baker Priest |
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Nov 6 2008, 00:56
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 Fully paid up member of the awkward squad! Group: FSF Saint and Moderator Posts: 9,597 Joined: 5-May 07 From: Maidenhead, Berkshire Member No.: 8,466 |
QUOTE (Beau @ Nov 5 2008, 22:46)  some children look at you as if you are bonkers if you call it that. Children are such good judges of character aren't they, Beau? 
-------------------- Maz. You have two ears and only one mouth. Use accordingly!
And for goodness sake woman: PULL YOUR FINGER OUT! |
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Nov 6 2008, 08:04
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#7
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Landscape design and gardening consultancy! Group: FSF Saint and Moderator Posts: 4,321 Joined: 5-October 03 From: Greater Manchester Member No.: 1,195 |
Goodness Maz what were you on with your bangers and mash last night! Looks like you were the star turn.
-------------------- The challenge is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.
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Nov 6 2008, 14:23
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#8
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 Forum Gardener Group: Members Posts: 1,195 Joined: 28-September 03 From: Manchester Member No.: 1,122 |
After a discussion about this with another member, I decided to post my understanding as I tend to make things as simple as possible to understand. I'm told this is a strong point of mine and why people always come to me with their computer problems as I explain everything so simply!
As I understand it a rectangle is a 4 sided shape with 4 90 degree angles and 2 sets of parallell lines in it so both a square and an oblong are rectangles and any other 4 sided shape is a quadrilateral. Rectangles are a collective term for both squares and oblongs but has been recently just been used to describe oblongs rather than them being a collective term. -------------------- The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.
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Nov 6 2008, 16:49
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#9
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Fully paid up member of the awkward squad! Group: FSF Saint and Moderator Posts: 9,597 Joined: 5-May 07 From: Maidenhead, Berkshire Member No.: 8,466 |
QUOTE (Nichola @ Nov 6 2008, 14:23) After a discussion about this with another member, I decided to post my understanding as I tend to make things as simple as possible to understand. I'm told this is a strong point of mine and why people always come to me with their computer problems as I explain everything so simply! And as a supplement to this, I asked Nichola if we should be using 'oblong' and 'square' so as not to confuse children later, and tell them that both squares and oblongs can be rectangles. She offered this analogy: think of trousers. You can have boot cuts, skinny leg and flared legs. But they are all trousers!  Somehow I'm much better when I can think of trousers rather than mathematical descriptions of shapes (or slices of Mars bars when working out fractions!)Thanks, Nichola. Whenever I see an oblong standing on its short side I shall think of you and skinny legged jeans! Maz -------------------- Maz. You have two ears and only one mouth. Use accordingly!
And for goodness sake woman: PULL YOUR FINGER OUT! |
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Nov 6 2008, 20:26
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#10
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Feet firmly under the table! Group: Members Posts: 132 Joined: 6-April 08 Member No.: 11,891 |
Just to throw a spanner in - did you spot that other post on the link I found above that says an ellipse is also an oblong?
This post has been edited by tracylu: Nov 6 2008, 20:27 |
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Nov 6 2008, 20:35
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#11
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lunar gardener Group: Moderator and FSF Saint Posts: 4,339 Joined: 12-April 03 From: an anenome Member No.: 73 |
That is quite true also...
-------------------- If I were dropped out of a plane into the ocean and told the nearest land was a thousand miles away, I'd still swim. (Maslow) |
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Nov 6 2008, 21:29
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#12
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Landscape design and gardening consultancy! Group: FSF Saint and Moderator Posts: 4,321 Joined: 5-October 03 From: Greater Manchester Member No.: 1,195 |
Oh goodness now I really am confused....maths was never my strong point!
-------------------- The challenge is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.
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Nov 6 2008, 21:35
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#13
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Landscape design and gardening consultancy! Group: FSF Saint and Moderator Posts: 4,321 Joined: 5-October 03 From: Greater Manchester Member No.: 1,195 |
Well I asked google
ob·long (blông, -lng) adj. 1. Deviating from a square, circular, or spherical form by being elongated in one direction. 2. Having the shape of or resembling a rectangle or an ellipse. 3. Botany Having a somewhat elongated form with approximately parallel sides: an oblong leaf. n. An object or figure, such as a rectangle, with an elongated shape. Well back to the jeans! -------------------- The challenge is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.
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Nov 6 2008, 21:49
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#14
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 Landscape design and gardening consultancy! Group: Moderator and FSF Saint Posts: 7,226 Joined: 14-April 03 Member No.: 79 |
Thats beginning to sound like the best option Jacquie!
-------------------- Susan
Children are like snowflakes, each one is an individual. |
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Nov 6 2008, 22:03
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#15
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Landscape design and gardening consultancy! Group: FSF Saint and Moderator Posts: 4,321 Joined: 5-October 03 From: Greater Manchester Member No.: 1,195 |
Yes.
Well if we can't get it right there isn't much hope for the children is there? -------------------- The challenge is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.
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