Pattern Homework

Part 1 (due Thursday 1/31):

• Read Fawn Nguyen's narrative of teaching this to her Algebra 1 (8th grade) class. http://fawnnguyen.com/2012/09/04/20120904.aspx?ref=rss. Especially pay attention to her discussions with Chris. See if you can figure out what the key things she wants Chris to understand and be able to explain.
• Install SMART Notebook on your computer (see instructions on D2L-Content). If you don't have a computer where you can do that, spend time in one of the computer labs that have SMART Notebook installed (most of the computer labs have SMART Notebook installed on the lab computers).
• Use the drawing tools in SMART Notebook to draw your pattern. Copy the first 3 stages, and then draw out the fourth stage.

Part 2 (due Tuesday, 2/5):

• Make a "poster" in SMART Notebook about your pattern. Show:
  • the visual pattern (done already in part 1)
  • the table
  • the algebraic formula (explicit, not just recursive)
  • Explain the algebraic formula--do what Fawn was encouraging Chris to do when he thought he had the formula (make the connections from the formula to the visual pattern)
  • Put your Notebook in the Dropbox, and be prepared to share it with the class.