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Super Value Shapes
Each of the following shapes has a value
 |
4 |
 |
8 |
 |
15 |
What is the total value of the following two shapes when you put them together?
| How about these? | |
| Tell us about this | |
Use a combination of shapes to show the following values. Can you find more than one way to show the values?
20, 27, 35, 36, 50, 66 and 100
Can you find some numbers between 5 and 50 that cannot be made using these shapes?
Why do this problem?
Children enjoy breaking codes. This set of problems requires substitution skills and is a way of introducing basic algebra concepts to young children. Drawing the results will assist children to make the association between symbol and value.
Possible approach
To make the work more concrete, have pattern block shapes available. Values can be written on sticky labels and put on the shapes until children feel confident enough to work more abstractly by transfering the assigned value to the shape.It is important to put a number like 29 into the set, because there is no solution for this total. The children could be asked for suggestions about changing the given values so that a solution could be found.
Once the original solutions are found, ask the children to find alternative solutions and to discuss the possibilities offered.
Key questions
Tell me about how you found different shapes for the same total.
How would you like to record your answers?
How would you like to record your answers?
Possible extension
As an extension children can be asked to choose a shape that they can add to the three that are given and then to give it a value.
Using the four shapes, can the children find new ways to show the given values? Have the children make up problems for friends or neighbours to solve.
Using the four shapes, can the children find new ways to show the given values? Have the children make up problems for friends or neighbours to solve.
Possible support
Make sure you have something to represent each shape that they can handle. It would be good to have many of each so that the children can keep their solutions in front of them and don't need to break each one up to make new ones.