The Awesomeness of Algebra

We're well and truly into our learning about Algebra and how much fun you can have with numbers and number patterns!!!!  I think it's one of my most favourite areas of maths.

I've included some clips for you here so that you can have a little fun with it too.  Don't forget to share it with others and add your comments and thoughts.

REMEMBER THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE????? (You might need to watch this a few times - she speaks really quickly!!!!)

What about this one??  I bet you didn't know it was in music too!!

And then there's this one!  It's everywhere!!  Even in art!

I can't wait to read what you think about these.  Look closely and observe - it's what scientists do.  Think like a scientist - and maybe an artist - and perhaps a musician - and don't forget the mathematicians!

What surprised you?  What fascinated you?  Did you view and respond to these with "WONDERMENT AND AWE" - a fantastic Habit of Mind.

Terrific Tessellations

Here are some examples of our learning around tessellations.  We're starting to use the vocabulary of this part of geometry by talking about rotations, (turns), translations, (slides), etc.  This will also tie into our learning about symmetry this term.

We'd love your feedback on what we've been up to so far.  Let us know what you think.  The students had to use many of the Habits of Mind to complete these tessellations as so many of them were quite challenging.  Ask them about the challenges and have a look on their blogs for their self-reflections.

If you'd like more information about tessellations and how they are created from a single geometric shape, please check out our individual blogs where we've research Escher and told you about our learning in this area.

If you're fascinated by what Escher achieved in maths and art, check out this website:
http://www.mcescher.com/