Patterns are the basis of mathematics, if we help students find and see patterns, they are often able to use this knowledge to apply to other situations.
The multiplication array is full of patterns and we often do not ask students to find the many patterns. When you take another step there are hidden patterns in the Digital Roots of the numbers(The Digital Root is found by adding the numbers successively until a single digit is obtained. (127 - 1 + 2 + 7 = 10 - 1 + 0 = 1 1 is the digital root of 127) The nine, three and six times tables are worth exploring with their digital roots.
For younger students we need to get them to make and draw patterns and then see if they can find underlying patterns.(Using Numerals/Numbers all the time is often too abstract for some students)
Crosses
Teachers: instead of making crosses students could colour in squares on grid paper)
With a red and green pen you can make 4 sets of 2 crosses: (perhaps red and green tiles/counters or blocks for some students would be better)
XX XX XX XX
How many different sets of 3 crosses can you make?
XXX XXX XXX ……….
How many different sets of 4 crosses can you make?
Can you see a pattern? making a Table/list may help
Could you predict how many sets using 5 crosses?
Now using a Blue Pen with the Red and Green Pens
How many sets of 2 crosses can you make now?
(A starter: XX XX XX XX ………….)
How many sets of three crosses with 3 colours?
( XXX XXX XXX …..)
How many sets of four crosses with three colours?
(XXXX XXXX XXXX …….)
Can you see a Pattern, perhaps a table will help?
Are you able to write your patterns in sentences?
Adapted from "Bounce To It" Gillian Hatch 1984
No comments:
Post a Comment