Introduction to algebra abstraction activity 1

From Karnataka Open Educational Resources


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)

  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

Question Corner

Activity Keywords

To link back to the concept page
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