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