Mean Machine

Author

Texas Instruments

Alignment

Standards Alignment

Textbook Alignment

Subject Area

Math: Elementary Math: Math and Literature

Math: Elementary Math: Number Sense and Estimation

Math: Elementary Math: Algebraic Thinking

Level

K-5

Activity Time

60 Minutes

TI Calculator

TI-15 Explorer™/TI-10

Other Materials

Poem: Homework Machine
Paper cups
Grid paper (2 centimeter)
Crayons or markers
Construction paper
Glue or paste
Small boxes with lids
Tape
Connecting cubes
3" x18" strips of construction paper
Rulers
Scissors
Index cards 3" x 5"

Resource Types

Lessons

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Mean Machine

Activity Overview

Students construct a function machine from a small box. Students use the calculator to discover functions. They create their own one-step and two-step function rules and turn their calculators into a function machine.

Before the Activity

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity

Print pages 117 - 127 from the attached PDF file for your class

During the Activity

Distribute the page to the class.

Follow the activity procedures:
Activity A:

Read the poem Homework Machine to the class

Activity B:

Hide one cube inside a cup and call it the plus one machine

Add a certain number of cubes to the cup

Pour out all the cubes and count them

Observe one more cube has been added to the lot

Activity C:

Use grid paper and color (black) one square to represent the hidden cube

Color other squares to represent the visible cubes

Represent the action with symbols on the calculator

Repeat the activity with different amounts of hidden cubes and discover the hidden number of cubes

Activity D:

Use a sample function box to illustrate number patterns and relations

Identify the number pattern

Construct a function machine using a box and index cards

Create three cards for a number pattern

Guess the number pattern

Activity E:

Use the calculator to show addition number patterns

After the Activity

Review student results

As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging

Re-teach concepts as necessary

Download Files

Download All Files (ZIP)

Before the Activity Files

Teacher Notes Appendix A PDF Teacher Notes Appendix B PDF Teacher Notes PDF

Author

Texas Instruments

Alignment

Standards Alignment

Textbook Alignment

Subject Area

Math: Elementary Math: Math and Literature

Math: Elementary Math: Number Sense and Estimation

Math: Elementary Math: Algebraic Thinking

Level

K-5

Activity Time

60 Minutes

TI Calculator

TI-15 Explorer™/TI-10

Other Materials

Poem: Homework Machine
Paper cups
Grid paper (2 centimeter)
Crayons or markers
Construction paper
Glue or paste
Small boxes with lids
Tape
Connecting cubes
3" x18" strips of construction paper
Rulers
Scissors
Index cards 3" x 5"

Resource Types

Lessons

Report an Issue

iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Vernier EasyData,Vernier EasyLink and Vernier EasyTemp are registered trademarks of Vernier Science Education.

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Mean Machine

Mean Machine

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