Activity Detail
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Activity Overview

Students make a variety of sizes of squares using square color tiles. With the squares, the students discover patterns and make prediction. They explore and understand the concept of square numbers.

Before the Activity

  • Set up the calculator as explained in the activity
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 27 - 30 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Use square colored tiles with the dimension 1 unit by 1 unit to build larger squares
  • Draw the squares on graph paper
  • Examine the relationship between the total number of tiles and the side length of each square
  • Write the pattern using x and y
  • Label the side length of the square as x, and the total number of tiles as y
  • Observe that x2 = y
  • Discuss square numbers
  • Use the calculator to create a table of square numbers

    		After the Activity

    		Students complete the Student Activity sheet.

    Review student results:
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




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    Subject Area:
    Math : Middle Grades Math : Problem Solving

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    5-8

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-73 Explorer™

    Apps:
     

    Software:
     

    Accessories:
     

    Other:
    This is Activity 6 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Discovering Mathematics with the TI-73: Activities for Grades 5 and 6

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Square color tiles
  • Crayons


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