Algebraic Reasoning Class Summary 9/30/13

with Kim Rodgers

Algebra Tool Kit

We started class this week by sharing our strategies for solving the card problem from the week before. The students went up to the whiteboard and explained their process, filling in the numbers of the cards as they went. We gave each strategy a name and created an Algebra Tool Kit. We will continue adding to it throughout the semester as we discover other important strategies.

Next, we moved on to a letter we received from Professor Arbegla explaining that the Fabulous Function Machine was not displaying it’s fabulous-ness. Every time she put a number into the machine the same number would come out! She thought her machine must be broken. After spending a few minutes talking with a partner about what could be happening in the machine, they each wrote a rough draft of a letter responding to the Professor. Each student took a turn explaining what they thought could have been going on. Here are some of their ideas:

R+R-R 

A+0 

Nx1

ExE÷E 

T+1-1 

I pointed out two in particular that have to do with the identity property of addition and multiplication: A+0 and Nx1. These seem basic, but we will be building on them over the next few weeks. Students were encouraged to come up with a few extra crazy and creative ways to explain what was happening in the machine to share in class on Monday.

Next week we have a challenge from the professor! She read the letters from the students and was impressed with their ideas and thought they might like a harder problem to solve.

I’m looking forward to seeing them rise to the challenge! 

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