Maths

Algebra

Room 12 are enjoying coming to grips with some algebra.
To do this we need to learn some algebra words:
Each piece of a pattern is called an element.
The things that change like colour, size or shape are called variables.
The number of elements in a pattern before the pattern repeats or starts again is called the unit of repeat.

At this stage of learning Y3s need to be able to make and continue a repeating pattern with at least 2 variables (things that change).

This is what the National Standard says:

What shape goes on the number 14 in this pattern? What colour will it be?

The student identifies the two variables (shape and colour) in the pattern. They might look at the variables separately and identify the unit of repeat for each ('Yellow, blue, red' and 'Triangle, circle'). Or they might look at the variables together to identify the complete unit of repeat ('Yellow triangle, blue circle, red triangle, yellow circle, blue triangle, red circle').
They continue the pattern until they identify that the shape on number 14 is a blue circle.


Y4s are learning to work out a rule for a pattern and then what a particular element of a pattern will be using their basic facts and by making a table.
The rule is how many we add or subtract to make the next element in the pattern.

Here is what the National Standard says for Y4.

Here is a 3-section matchstick fence.

   How many matchsticks would it take to make an 8-section fence?       

The student continues the number pattern by using repeated addition, possibly in conjunction with written recording.

If the student draws an 8-section fence and then counts the matchsticks, they do not meet the expectation.