Title Toothpick Algebra

Primary Subject Math

Secondary Subjects Grade Level 6-7
Concept to be learned:

The students will be using toothpicks to find patterns. These patterns will help the
students develop equations that correspond to algebra.

Rationale:

It is very important to give the students a background understanding of algebraic

equations. I feel that it will be much easier for the students to develop equations
and to solve the equations.

Objectives: The student will be able to:

Explore relationships between sets of numbers

Identify patterns in data

Write equations to describe patterns

Represent patterns graphically

Materials:

For Teacher:

Picky Patterns Worksheets

Toothpicks

Groups for students to work in

Note from LessonPlansPage.com: This lesson plan uses a worksheet that is not
included. You may be able to create your own version of the worksheet, do without
the worksheet, or contact the author at the e-mail address at the bottom of this
lesson plan to request a copy.

For Students:

Pencil

Lesson Management:

The students will work on the whole lesson with their assigned groups. The teacher
will instruct from the front of the classroom and then walk around monitoring the
students behavior and work.

Beginning of the Lesson:

1. Get students into groups and handout toothpicks and worksheets.

2. Draw a triangle on the board and tell students each line represents one
toothpick.

3. Direct students to T-Chart on number one of their worksheet.

4. Draw a triangle above the left column and # of toothpicks above the right
column.

5. Show students the correspondence between the two and show that one
triangle needs three toothpicks and so on.

Middle of the Lesson:

6. Ask students to finish the chart in their groups and discuss the patterns that
they see.

7. Ask the question, How many toothpicks would you need to make a chain of
225 triangles following this pattern?

8. Give students the opportunity to discuss this with their groups.

9. Explain that the number of toothpicks is two times the number of triangles
plus one. Ex. Three triangles (2*3)+1

10.Explain that also the number of triangles plus one more that that number. Ex.
Three triangles 3+4=7

11.Have students check with two or three problems.

12.Describe how the Input Output Machine works.

13.Figure what is happening to numbers.

14.Write inside the box portion a rule they used to find the output.

15.Give examples n+(n+1) and (2*n)+1

End of the Lesson:

16.Discuss graphs and how they show numerical relationships.

17.Have students make a graph using the numbers in their T-Charts.

18.Give students time to discuss in their groups the pattern they see while
plotting the points.

19.Point out to students that the points move over the same amount and then
up the same amount.

20.Review with students the idea of using a T-Chart, Input Output Machine, and a
graph. Also go over how you found the equations.

Assessment:

The teacher will monitor students behavior and involvement throughout the lesson.
Students will also be taking a test after completing this lesson.