Today, we’re going to learn about something called algorithms. Algorithms are like special instructions that help us solve problems or do tasks. It’s important for these instructions to be clear so everyone can understand them easily.
Have you ever played with tangrams? They’re fun puzzle pieces that you can use to make different shapes. If you don’t have any tangrams, you can make your own by cutting shapes out of paper.
In this activity, you’ll work with a friend. One of you will have a pattern made from tangrams, and the other will try to recreate it. But here’s the catch: the person making the pattern can’t see the original! You’ll have to use clear instructions to help your friend make the same pattern.
This part of the lesson teaches us how important it is to give clear and easy-to-follow instructions. If your friend doesn’t understand your directions, they might not be able to make the pattern correctly.
Now, let’s move on to the second part of our lesson. You’ll take a piece of paper and try to fold it in different ways to make sixteen identical rectangles. It’s like a puzzle, and there are many ways to solve it!
As you try different ways to fold the paper, you’ll see that there are multiple solutions to the same problem. Some ways might be faster or easier than others. This teaches us that there can be many ways to reach the same goal, and sometimes one way might be better depending on the situation.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand how important it is to have clear instructions and that there can be many ways to solve a problem. Whether you’re working with tangrams or folding paper, remember that algorithms can help you find the best solution!
Tangram Treasure Hunt: Create a simple treasure map using tangram shapes. Hide a small object or treat in a room, and draw a map using tangram shapes to guide your friend to the treasure. Use clear instructions to describe the path and see if your friend can find the treasure using your algorithm!
Paper Folding Challenge: Try folding a piece of paper into different shapes, like a boat or a hat. Write down the steps you took to create each shape. Then, swap your instructions with a friend and see if they can make the same shape using your algorithm. Discuss what was easy or hard to understand and how you could improve the instructions.
Algorithm Adventure: Think of a simple task you do every day, like brushing your teeth or making a sandwich. Write down each step as an algorithm. Share your steps with a family member and ask them to follow your instructions exactly. Did they complete the task correctly? Talk about any steps that might need clearer instructions.
Lesson 6 focuses on algorithms and emphasizes the importance of clarity. This lesson consists of two parts. The first part involves tangrams, which are puzzle pieces that can be created by hand if you don’t have any available. Students will explain to a classmate how to arrange the tangrams into a specific pattern, while the second student cannot see the original pattern. In the second half of the activity, students will explore how many different ways they can fold a piece of paper to create sixteen identical rectangles. This will lead to a discussion about how multiple solutions can achieve the same outcome and why some solutions may be more effective in certain situations.
