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Teaching Strategies For Using Geometric Growing Patterns By Developing An Understanding Of Functional Thinking

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PART A Markworth (2012) suggests ways students can learn algebraic concepts and geometric patterns by developing an understanding of functional thinking. Growing patterns are a useful counting method that allows students to engage with algebra. Geometric growing patterns best support student’s ability to develop functional thinking which is essential. This article outlines three teaching strategies for using geometric growing patterns, these are: - Promoting various ways of seeing - Identifying corresponding ways of counting - Using a three-column table Understanding the explicit relationship between the independent variable to the dependent variable helps for the generalisation and encouraging student’s functional thinking. Markworth …show more content…

Markwell (2012) states that seeing methods of growing patterns and its structure are useful ways of counting. Ways of counting is the second teaching method for calculating functional relationships from the dependent variable. More advanced geometric patterns are a useful analysis towards identifying a way of seeing that leads to a way of counting which is important for students. Markwell (2012) further highlights that a two-column graph draws upon a vertical relationship in the right-hand column. It is then noted that this will promote recursive thinking as it highlights only the dependent variable and its progression. To developing a high functional thinking, it is required to understand the horizontal relationship between independent and dependant variables. Markwell (2012) highlights the third teaching strategy would be to introduce a three-column graph with calculations in the middle which enables students to understand functional relationships (words, symbols and variables), this methods leads to understanding geometric ways of seeing and numerical ways of counting. Effectively three-column tables will enable students to connect the independent and dependent variable in an explicit functional relationship. It is further stated in this article that students are introduced to functional thinking in early stages of schooling. It is taught as a guess and

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