Introduction to algebra abstraction activity 1

=Activity - Introduction to abstraction=

Estimated Time
15 minutes

Materials/ Resources needed
Open space, match sticks, blackboard

Process (How to do the activity)
Ask children to make the letter "Z" from sticks. Each group to make as many Z as possible within 5 minutes.

Developmental Questions (What discussion questions)

 * 1) How many sticks were needed for 1 "Z"?
 * 2) How many sticks were needed for 2 "Z"?
 * 3) How many sticks were needed for n "Z"?
 * 4) Children have you noticed any relationship between the number of "Z"s formed and the number of sticks used to form the letter "Z"?
 * 5) Outcome: 3n sticks are required to form "Z" n-times. Children observe the variation in number of sticks when number of "z"s is increased /decreased.
 * 6) The discussion has ended up with children generalizing the pattern they observed.
 * 7) The number of matchstick depended on what?
 * 8) Outcome: The number of matchstick is a variable and will depend on number of "Z"

Evaluation (Questions for assessment of the child)

 * 1) Ask children to make matchstick patterns for other letters, like "F", "A", "W"
 * 2) Make patterns of 1Z, 2Z, 3Z, 4Z and ask children to generalize patterns

Activity Keywords
To link back to the concept page Back