Patterning & Algebra
Grade 8: Patterning & Algebra
Representing the general term in a linear sequence, using one or more algebraic expressions; translating statements, using algebraic equations; finding the term number in a pattern algebraically when given any term; solving linear equations involving one variable terms with integer solutions using a “balance” model.
Nature Journaler: @billiejooutdoors
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling is an incredible tool for students to look for patterns in nature. Information can be gathered from the area of study and applied to the concepts being taught in this section.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and "It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However the statement "I wonder..." becomes very important at this age all the way up to 18 years as students deepen their understanding of the world around them. Encourage students to begin writing using single words, simple sentences, lists, point form, paragraphs and even poetry. Please note that spelling is not a focus in the nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - please ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link feedback at the bottom of this lesson for tips on this. Using words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
Here are some more ideas to get you started.
Engage the fives senses (whenever possible)
Make leaf prints ( paint the leaf and press the print into the journal)
Make leaf rubbings
Trace the items they are looking at
Add leaves into the journal using tape
Count the birds/squirrels/insects etc.
Measure as much of the phenomena as the students can using non standard and standard units of measurement.
Here is a downloadable lesson from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. All resources shared with permission. "I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of..."
GIVING FEEDBACK here is a fantastic resource from Jack and Emilie
NOTE: You are encourage to spend time in the outdoors Nature Journaling. However, you can also bring nature inside, look out your wonder window, have a refrigerator Safari or even observe a house plant or pet.
Building Growing Patterns
You are looking to build the ultimate tree house and have refurbished a set of steps to use in your new build. Unfortunately the first three steps need to be rebuilt as they are falling apart and don't meet your high standards. Use the height of the three remaining sturdy steps to determine the height of steps 1-3 and find the general term for the pattern created by the six steps.
Step 4: 66cm from step to ground
Step 5: 82.5 cm from step to ground
Step 6: 99 cm from step to ground
Create an algebraic expression to represent this pattern.
Are there any other features of your tree house that would also have growing patterns? Share some of your possible ideas.
Next, why not create a bird house with eye catching growing patterns? Sketch out some ideas.
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Natural Collections - Terms
Go outside and collect a few piles of an assortment of natural items. Example: pebbles, pinecones, seeds, etc.
Duplicate the pattern shown in the picture using one collection of items. Consider the 5 terms in the pattern: if the pattern is made from stones (or another item) and continues in the same way, how many stones will be in the 7th term? Guess and check your solution. Explain your reasoning.
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Natural Journaling: Biodiversity Inventory
In the activity Biodiversity Inventory from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students record the diversity of species in two study areas and use graphs and diversity indices to describe and analyze the data."
All resources shared with permission.
Curriculum Links:
Natural Journaling: Collection or Field Guide
In the activity Collection or Field Guide from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students make a field guide or “collection” of things within a focused category, such as leaf types, rocks in a stream, things that are red, or tracks."
All resources shared with permission.
Curriculum Links:
Rockhound
You collect 3 rocks on day one of being a rockhound (a person who enjoys collecting rocks) but, because each day you get better at finding cool rocks, the number of rocks you find each day is double the number of rocks you collected the day before. On what day will you collect exactly 96 rocks? Explain your reasoning.
Try to find some fun rocks to collect while exploring outside. Research what kind of rocks you find.
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.