Introduction to algebra abstraction activity 1
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Activity - Introduction to abstraction
Estimated Time
15 minutes
Materials/ Resources needed
Open space, match sticks, blackboard
Prerequisites/Instructions, if any
Multimedia resources
Website interactives/ links/ simulations/ Geogebra Applets
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)
- How many sticks were needed for 1 "Z"?
- How many sticks were needed for 2 "Z"?
- How many sticks were needed for n "Z"?
- Children have you noticed any relationship between the number of "Z"s formed and the number of sticks used to form the letter "Z"?
- 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.
- The discussion has ended up with children generalizing the pattern they observed.
- The number of matchstick depended on what?
- Outcome: The number of matchstick is a variable and will depend on number of "Z"
Evaluation (Questions for assessment of the child)
- Ask children to make matchstick patterns for other letters, like "F", "A", "W"
- Make patterns of 1Z, 2Z, 3Z, 4Z and ask children to generalize patterns
Question Corner
Activity Keywords
To link back to the concept page
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