weigh the wangdoodles | strempletechtools

Math Playground: Weigh the Wangdoodles

Curator: Lauren Weller

Name of Tech Tool: Math Playground - Weigh the Wangdoodles

Brief Description of Tech Tool: In this activity, students use algebraic reasoning to solve for the weight of each of the three Wangdoodles.

Link to Tech Tool or Tool homepage:http://www.mathplayground.com/wangdoodles.html

EVALUATION

Description of Learning Activity

This activity helps students practice algebraic reasoning with an emphasis on solving for three different variables in three different algebraic equations. The concept of systems of equations also plays a role, although students may not realize that is the concept they are essentially working with. The game asks students to solve for three different variables which represent the weight of three different "wangdoodles," or red, green and blue colored circles. Students are asked to look at three different scales, each with a different combination of wangdoodles, that have different total weights. The weights on each scale are represented as equations involving two variables that represent the two wangdoodles on the scale.

1. Learning Activity Types

LA-Practice - practicing for fluencyStudents practice solving systems of equations.Students practice solving linear equations.

LA-Explore - exploring/investigating mathematical ideasStudents explore the idea of "combining" different linear equations to solve for one variable

.2. What mathematics is being learned?

NCTM Standards

NCTM-Alg-symbols - represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols;

NCTM-Alg-models - use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships;

VA SOL Strands

8.4 - The student will apply the order of operations to evaluate algebraic expressions for given replacement values of the variables.

Proficiency Strands

PS-conceptual understandingThis activity provides a way for students to understand the relationship between more than one variable in an equation and in a system of equations using a visual representation.

3. How is the mathematics represented?

Systems of equations is represented through both visual representation and symbolic equations. This activity allows students to practice solving for three variables in three separate yet related linear equations. The virtual aspect of the game is helpful for students who may make mistakes when solving for the variables and gives feedback to students when they "check" their solution.

4. What role does technology play?

Representing Ideas & Thinking - This activity represents various math problems through symbolic, visual representation.‍

This activity should not be used to introduce students to systems of equations, but should be used as a practice tool. If students don't have any prior knowledge of the concept of working with multiple equations and variables at once, it could result in a lot of guess and check rather than actually using the tool the way it was intended.‍

5. How could this resource supplement/facilitate PBL?

This resource can be used to supplement PBL. Students can play this game as an introduction to what variables represent.