Snake Patterns-s-s-s
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Algebraic Thinking Focus
Finding and extending patterns are valuable steps towards predicting and making generalizations as well as laying the foundation for mathematical models. These understandings are invaluable in the formal study of algebra. Thus, this lesson fosters the development of algebraic thinking in a curriculum which is based on problem solving.
Lesson Objective
Students will use given rules to generate several stages of a pattern and will be able to predict the outcome for any stage.
Overview of the Lesson
The teacher presents students with rules for a growth pattern that involves red and black rings in imaginary snakes. Students use the rules to produce the first several stages of the pattern.
The students work in small groups to find mathematical patterns in their results. Then students attempt to use those patterns to predict how subsequent stages would look. Finally, students answer questions that allow the teacher to assess their understanding of the mathematics underlying the patterns.
This lesson has been adapted from “Snakes In Snakewood” Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation, Mathematics in Context: Patterns and Symbols.
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