No Series: Chessboard Algebra and Function Machines

Math.4.OA.A.2

Common core State Standards

  • Math:  Math
  • 4:  Grade 4
  • OA:  Operations & Algebraic Thinking
  • A:  Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems
  • 2: 
    Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.

Download Common Core State Standards (PDF 1.2 MB)

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Math.4.OA.C.5

Common core State Standards

  • Math:  Math
  • 4:  Grade 4
  • OA:  Operations & Algebraic Thinking
  • C:  Generate and analyze patterns
  • 5: 
    Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself. For example, given the rule \"Add 3\" and the starting number 1, generate terms in the resulting sequence and observe that the terms appear to alternate between odd and even numbers. Explain informally why the numbers will continue to alternate in this way.

Download Common Core State Standards (PDF 1.2 MB)

Chessboard Algebra and Function Machines

Lesson Objective: Students find the rule that determines the number of chessboard squares
Grades 3-5 / Math / Functions
6 MIN
Math.4.OA.A.2 | Math.4.OA.C.5

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Discussion and Supporting Materials

Thought starters

  1. See how Ms. Bottomley uses a function machine to have students predict the rule How does the lesson help students see the difference between additive and multiplicative patterns?
  2. What about the lesson helps students be successful with this complex pattern?

5 Comments

  • Private message to lisa sauco
Why is the algebraic expression divided by 6? Thanks!
Recommended (1)
  • Private message to Cj Friga
Engaged learning!
Recommended (1)
  • Private message to Patti Herrmann
Enjoyed watching the children working. They were so engaged in the activity.
Recommended (1)
  • Private message to Turtle Toms
Spot on.
Recommended (0)
  • Private message to Tim Bedley
I love the level of buy-in and engagement of the students. Ms. Bottomley does a fantastic job of letting her students do the thinking instead of doing all the thinking for them. Excellent facilitator of discovery learning.
Recommended (0)

Transcripts

  • Summary

    A Key Stage 2 teacher presents a math lesson on teaching algebra using formulas and predictions, in a primary lesson

    Summary

    A Key Stage 2 teacher presents a math lesson on teaching algebra using formulas and predictions, in a primary lesson idea for use in lesson planning.
    Michelle Bottomley teaches her Year 6 class at Tetherdown Primary School, north London, how to use their knowledge of the properties of number in order to solve problems. She also covers how to use a symbol to stand for an unknown number.
    Michelle gets her pupils to look for patterns when working out how many squares are in different sized chessboards, and asks them to predict how many squares are in a 25 x 25 squared board.
    Finally, Michelle presents the formula that could be used for any sized board, which the pupils use to test some of their predictions.
    This video is part of the KS2 math Lesson Planning Pack on algebra, which includes two lesson starters, one great lesson idea and a CPD discussion.