A to Z activity

The Rabbit's Way

The basics of combinatorics can be studied from the early ages. The following activity is very helpful for the developing skills of identifying the possible options.

We will need the number of cards like the ones described above.

Process:

Ideally it would be great to have groups with 2 persons. The task is following: How can rabbit get carrots in Z, if the starting point is A. Note that, there is allowed to go right or upward. You need to find all the possible routes. You can use pencils with the different colors to show that routes. Also, it will be very helpful to record this info on the paper. For example, rurur (right-up-right-up-right).

You can ask some additional questions to analyze the activity or for the future development. For example: 

How many routes you get? 

What pattern do you see?

"Target" Number

Tasks and Preparation

The development of mathematical thinking is very important and need to be done from the early ages. Here is an example of the 20 min game-activity for the children ages  8, 9 which can be used for the developing skills to calculate the value of simple numerical expressions with one-digit numbers. It's an non-standard activity which requires a brain strain - the best way to train your brain. Another important example is the development of skills to interact with each other.

For this activity we will need labeled (or opaque) two boxes, one with the label ”one-digit numbers” (i.e. cards with labels 1, 2, …, 9) and the other one with “tens” (i.e. cards with 10, 20, …, 90). We will need to arrange tables for the group working. Ideally for a group of 4 or 5 children.

Process

Divide children into groups of 4 persons. Every person choose 3 cards randomly from the first box and one card “Target” number from the “tens” box. Children wrote in their notes the numbers that are on the table and put them again inside the box, for those who haven’t numbers. Then children are trying to get “Target” number with their 3 one-digit numbers. (Every number need to be used only once, also they need to find all the possible ways). For example, from 1st box we have 1, 3, 7 and from the second one 20. Then we have 3×7-1=20.

Hints

In how many ways did you get “Target” number? 

If someone could not get the desired “Target” number, work together and try to find solution.