Math Bag

By: Tracy-Elaine Page
      Natalie Keizer
      Amanda Fraser
      Karrie Brown

This math bag focuses on the topic of patterns and has four activities included in it, it is intended for the grade primary level.  The work around patterns is based around the book, "A Pair of Socks".  Within the math bag there is a letter to parents, instructions (students set and parent set) and materials for the four activities and a math journal where parents and students can record their comments.  The instructions are included on cue card in zip lock bags with the material for each activity.
 

Contents

Letter to family

Dear Parents,

 We are pleased to share this unit's Math Bag with you centering around our theme of  patterns, pattern relationships and matching.   Patterns are important in your child's learning because they give clues to what will come next, and help introduce your child to counting and number patterns.  Similarly, matching is important because it helps discriminate between different patterns.  The brief activities comprised in this math bag are designed to help your child learn more about patterns while having fun and being creative.
 Included in the “Patterns Math Bag” is the story A Pair of Socks by Stuart J. Murphy, all supplies needed to complete the included activities, and written instructions and suggestions for each activity.  Also included is a Journal book where you, as parent(s) may record your thoughts and comments to be shared with us and other parents as the math bag circulates throughout the class.  Please read the story with your child and choose one or more of the included activities.  The variety of the activities included in this math bag allows you, the parent, to choose an activity that best suits your child's ability and learning interests.  Parents are reminded to kindly return the math bag within three school days of it’s receipt along with any unused supplies, and the journal with your recorded thoughts.  Enjoy!!

Sincerely,
Fields Teaching Group

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List of materials

Activity One (Bead Patterns)
1) instructions
2) string
3) beads
4) scissors

Activity Two (Stamping)
1) instructions
2) stamping markers
3) various ink stampers
4) ink pad
5) paper with and without grid

Activity Three (Patterns Everywhere!!!)
1) instructions
2) coloured pencils
3) paper

Activity Four ( Matching Socks)
1) instructions
2) several pairs of socks

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Title, Author, ISBN and Synopsis of book(s)

The book used in this math bag is entitled, "A Pair of Socks"  by Stuart J. Murphy and illustrated by Lois Ehlert.  It is part of the MathStart Series by HarperCollins Publishers.  The book was published in 1996 and the ISBN is 0-06-025879-9.
The book is about a sock that is trying to find its match.

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Instructions and print materials for activity 1

Bead Patters:

Parent instructions:
This activity provides a creative venue in which your child can explore mathematical concepts relating to patterns.  Encourage your child to experiment with different patterns.

Students instructions:
Make a necklace or bracelet using beads.  Try making different patterns before you choose the one you like best.

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Instructions and print materials for activity 2

Stamping

Parent instructions:
The activity encourages your child to develop pattern making skills.  Encourage your child to be creative, and expressive when developing the stamp patterns.

Student instructions:
Use the stamps and paper to have fun making patterns.

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Instruction and print material for activity 3

Patterns Everywhere!!!

Parent instructions:
This activity allows children to find patterns in an environment that is familiar to them.  You can help your child with writing or drawing.

Students instructions:
In the story, "A Pair of Socks" your saw a lot of sock with different patterns.  Take a look around you house and see how many different patterns you can find.  Write or draw what you find.

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Instructions and print material for activity 4

Matching Socks

Parent instructions:
This activity encourages children to develop their matching skill by recognizing and discrimination between patterns.
Suggestion:  Spread the socks out on a flat surface and have your child match the socks.  You many find it useful to draw their attention to the different patterns.

Student instructions:
Help Me!!  After doing my laundy, my socks are all mixed up!  Can you help each sock to find it's partner???

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Special instructions and/or materials for special needs

Math Bag and Special Needs

    This math bag is made so that it is accessible for all children in our class.  Any student would be able to find something that they can have fun doing.  The beads and the socks are very tactile and easy to use.  The parents are encouraged to read the book “A Pair of Socks” if the child has problems reading.
The activities vary in degree of difficulty the children along with their parents can choose which activity best suits them.  They can try to do the more difficult activities if they have time, but they are only required to complete one of them.  Parents are going to know best what their child is capable of.  However, for example for example in the bead activity, a child who was not physically able to manipulate the beard might instead tell a parent or sibling what patterne they wanted.  The same sort of thing could also be done for the socks activity.
Overall, this math bag can be adapted, very easily, to be done with any student.
 

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Curriculum outcomes for each activity

Primary

Copy and create patterns including those involving numbers, shape, size, and colour, P-C1.
Copy patterns based on mearsurement attributes,  P-C2.
Create patterns, P-C3.
Represent the same pattern in multiple ways, P-C4.

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Developed for Education 4173 Elementary Mathematics Methods
at the School of Education, Acadia University.
2000 Copyright remains with the authors.
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