Years of research on how children learn has shown that the use of manipulatives such as pattern blocks is a powerful tool for developing conceptual understanding of mathematics. Students enjoy working with pattern blocks when they have been allowed time for free explorations. What seems like play to adults is an important part of building confidence and motivation in children. Using Root 7’s Pattern Block resources enables students to be: • Actively involved in doing math, which motivates them and builds confidence. • Provided with excellent opportunities to work together, discuss mathematical ideas, and verbalize their thinking. • Given concrete representations of mathematical ideas, thus providing a visual model to refer to. • Provided with Extra Practice questions to extend and reinforce their knowledge and understanding. How to use • Assign one or more Activity questions to each student and allow them to work individually, in pairs or in groups • Observe the students as they work and ask questions, or ask them to explain their work, to ensure they understand the mathematics • Ensure they record their work as this helps them clarify their thinking and reinforce their understanding. • The More Practice questions are important as they are designed to make the connection from “Hands-on” to “paper and pencil” ie from the concrete to the more abstract symbolic representation. The activities in Chapter 5: Transformations helps students increase their knowledge and understanding of various concepts of Transformations, including Symmetry, Translation, Reflection, Rotation, and Combinations of Transformations. Each unit includes Teacher Notes and Answers.

These bright, colourful, thought provoking questions are designed to encourage and motivate learners in to become more involved in learning and enjoying mathematics. The over 40 high quality questions, with on-screen hints and answers, focus on whole numbers. The resource can be used to start a lesson; to introduce or reinforce a concept; to develop and improve problem solving skills; support different ability levels and learning styles. The resource can also be used in a resource centre, or as a fun way to learn in a home environment.

These bright, colourful, thought provoking questions are designed to encourage and motivate learners in to become more involved in learning and enjoying mathematics. The 21high quality questions, with on-screen hints and answers, focus on patterns, and algebra. The resource can be used to start a lesson; to introduce or reinforce a concept; to develop and improve problem solving skills; support different ability levels and learning styles. The resource can also be used in a resource centre, or as a fun way to learn in a home environment.

These bright, colourful, thought provoking questions are designed to encourage and motivate learners in to become more involved in learning and enjoying mathematics. The 19 high quality questions, with on-screen hints and answers, focus on integers, ratio, and percent. The resource can be used to start a lesson; to introduce or reinforce a concept; to develop and improve problem solving skills; support different ability levels and learning styles. The resource can also be used in a resource centre, or as a fun way to learn in a home environment.

These bright, colourful, thought provoking questions are designed to encourage and motivate learners in to become more involved in learning and enjoying mathematics. The more than 30 high quality questions, with on-screen hints and answers, focus on measurement. The resource can be used to start a lesson; to introduce or reinforce a concept; to develop and improve problem solving skills; support different ability levels and learning styles. The resource can also be used in a resource centre, or as a fun way to learn in a home environment.

Two statements that can be found in almost any math curriculum are: Students learn best if they are actively involved in their learning. Students should be able to apply various strategies to solve problems. This Free Sample provides a sample of the problem solving available in our 9 units focusing on 8 problem solving strategies plus a series of Mixed Problems in which students decide on the most appropriate strategy to solve each problem.

A template of Pattern Blocks to print and cut out.