This week's math lesson focused on creating patterns and solving patterns. At the beginning of the class, a colleague taught us how to solve a pattern (one that is increasing) and, after solving the pattern, we were to guess the number at a certain position. For example, we were given the terms and values of numbers 1-4, and then had to guess what the value would be at term 100. She did a great job with her presentation and I found her handout to be both challenging and helpful.
After her presentation was done, the professor gave the class a few different patterns. Our job was to find the equation that solved the pattern.
The trick is to count the difference between the first value and the second value and so on. We can see that the value is increasing by four. Therefore, the rule is "output number = input number x 4."
This pattern was quite easy so solve, but eventually the patterns got more difficult. It took some time to solve these patterns and I found them to be quite challenging. For example:
Term 1: 4
Term 2: 7
Term 3: 10
We can see that there isn't an obvious pattern in these terms compared to the previous pattern. To solve this, we must figure out the difference between the values and then solve the difference between the values and the difference.
The rule to this is "output number = input number x 3 + 1."
Moving on from this, the professor instructed us to create these patterns with blocks. This is very handy and could be used in the classroom. It's most helpful for children who learn better with visuals in front of them rather than a chart. We were given blocks and "secret rules" and had to build that. After that, our colleagues had to guess the rule.
Once this was done, the class walked around the tables to see how different everyone created patterns. I found this to be very interesting because it shows that people learn things differently.
This pattern was quite easy so solve, but eventually the patterns got more difficult. It took some time to solve these patterns and I found them to be quite challenging. For example:
Term 1: 4
Term 2: 7
Term 3: 10
We can see that there isn't an obvious pattern in these terms compared to the previous pattern. To solve this, we must figure out the difference between the values and then solve the difference between the values and the difference.
The rule to this is "output number = input number x 3 + 1."
Moving on from this, the professor instructed us to create these patterns with blocks. This is very handy and could be used in the classroom. It's most helpful for children who learn better with visuals in front of them rather than a chart. We were given blocks and "secret rules" and had to build that. After that, our colleagues had to guess the rule.
Once this was done, the class walked around the tables to see how different everyone created patterns. I found this to be very interesting because it shows that people learn things differently.
Hi Catherine!
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest thing I can take away from your blog post is the importance of considering and appreciating various ways of learning and thinking. Students all learn differently, and if using the math manipulatives in a way that is unique to them but helps them grasp concepts than that is the work of a great Teacher!
Great post!
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI noticed from your patterning block picture that you chose to stack your tiles, which I did as well - I think the important thing to take away from this is that there are many ways to model a pattern whether it be lying out the pattern flat, or stacking the pattern as we did. There is no right answer when modelling the pattern using manipulatives, it just has to make sense to the individual using the manipulatives, as well as hold true to the continuation of the pattern.
Have a great week!
Hey Catharine,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you were "thinking outside the box" when it comes to doing the patterning blocks during our class activity. I think it is important to teach students to think outside the box and be creative when it comes to representing their work.
It helps to see it in more so in a 3D shape and can really help students to picture the blocks and gives them a better mental imagine to work with.
Great post!