Making stick patterns

Making stick patterns

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about continuing a stick pattern.
a)  Use your sticks to make shape 1 of the pattern below.
     Add more sticks to make shape 2 and then shape 3.
 
b)  Add more sticks to make shape 4. Draw this shape in the space below.
 
shape 1 shape 2 shape 3
 shape 4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
  
 
Now show your teacher
 
c)  Write the number of sticks you used for each shape on the table below.
     The first two have been done for you.
 
Shape
 1 2 3 4
Number of sticks 3 8    
 
d)  How many sticks would you need for shape 6? __________
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pen and paper, and other equipment.

This practical task involves students making and then drawing shape patterns.
 
Equipment:

40 sticks per student (toothpicks, ice-block sticks, nursery sticks, etc.).

  • Students will need to add sticks onto their original shape.
  • After the student has completed their pattern in b) they should show it to the teacher before continuing on to c).
  • The practical task is a landscape document.
Levels:
3, 4
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Patterns and relationships
Keywords: 
spatial patterns, recursive rules, quadratic equation, practical, model construction
Description of task: 
Students use sticks to copy and continue a given spatial pattern, and identify the number of sticks needed to make a new shape in the pattern.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Patterns and relationships, sets 4-5
Patterns and relationships, sets 5-6
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
a)
b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
c)
d)
Students make the first 2 shapes. 
Students construct the following shape:

15, 24

48

 NOTE: Accept any other consistent pattern and mark c) and d) accordingly.

Figure it Out
Sticky Moments, Algebra L2-3, p. 5

For more information about patterns, see the Algebraic Patterns Concept Map.