Click to set custom HTML
Lesson 8: Calculator Patterns
Objectives
Calculators are wonderful tools for children to investigate, discover and use to help make sense of number concepts. While young school beginners are motivated by natural curiosity, low attaining students are provided with an opportunity to think about mathematical relationships and take risks without the burden of written computation. Children are highly motivated by the use of the calculator, and even a child having difficulty with the underlying concepts is usually rewarded by mastering the ability to use the "counting constant" function and the practice in following directions and sequencing that requires.
Students will:
Use the skip function on the calculator to perform simple operations and record the results on a 100 grid. Students will make observations on the patterns that are produced.
Overview of task
Students will learn how to use the "counting constant" function of the calculator, and using this function will explore patterns and relationships with numbers.
Students’ prior knowledge and experience.
Developing fluency and flexibility in using patterns is essential. Because knowledge of patterns is fundamental to mathematics, it is important for the students to experience additional activities that teach the same concepts before moving on. Students are familiar with the basic operations of a simple calculator.
Resources and preparation
Calculator for each student
Pencils
Worksheet with functions to explore and space to record observations
Laminated one hundred square worksheets, white board markers and dry eraser.
Learning experience
Load Number Pattern PowerPoint onto IWB and revise as necessary.
Make sure all students know how to apply a constant function to their calculators.
Break the group into pairs and instruct students to take alternate turns being the operator and the scribe. The operator enters the prescribed functions into their calculator and the scribe uses a marker to colour in the number squares that are produced in the pattern. Students take turns to guess the next answer and then check their results with the calculator’s constant function. Once students have finished a pattern they are to look at the pattern on the grid sheet and make an observation (eg all the numbers are odd or even, or are in a vertical row etc).
Assessment
Collect and assess student’s observations
Extension
Selection of fun worksheets on patterns and maths educational games.
Transition
Stop work and pack up all equipment. Discuss any triumphs and challenges encountered during group work. Remind students what their next group’s activity will be.
Objectives
Calculators are wonderful tools for children to investigate, discover and use to help make sense of number concepts. While young school beginners are motivated by natural curiosity, low attaining students are provided with an opportunity to think about mathematical relationships and take risks without the burden of written computation. Children are highly motivated by the use of the calculator, and even a child having difficulty with the underlying concepts is usually rewarded by mastering the ability to use the "counting constant" function and the practice in following directions and sequencing that requires.
Students will:
Use the skip function on the calculator to perform simple operations and record the results on a 100 grid. Students will make observations on the patterns that are produced.
Overview of task
Students will learn how to use the "counting constant" function of the calculator, and using this function will explore patterns and relationships with numbers.
Students’ prior knowledge and experience.
Developing fluency and flexibility in using patterns is essential. Because knowledge of patterns is fundamental to mathematics, it is important for the students to experience additional activities that teach the same concepts before moving on. Students are familiar with the basic operations of a simple calculator.
Resources and preparation
Calculator for each student
Pencils
Worksheet with functions to explore and space to record observations
Laminated one hundred square worksheets, white board markers and dry eraser.
Learning experience
Load Number Pattern PowerPoint onto IWB and revise as necessary.
Make sure all students know how to apply a constant function to their calculators.
Break the group into pairs and instruct students to take alternate turns being the operator and the scribe. The operator enters the prescribed functions into their calculator and the scribe uses a marker to colour in the number squares that are produced in the pattern. Students take turns to guess the next answer and then check their results with the calculator’s constant function. Once students have finished a pattern they are to look at the pattern on the grid sheet and make an observation (eg all the numbers are odd or even, or are in a vertical row etc).
Assessment
Collect and assess student’s observations
Extension
Selection of fun worksheets on patterns and maths educational games.
Transition
Stop work and pack up all equipment. Discuss any triumphs and challenges encountered during group work. Remind students what their next group’s activity will be.