Lesson Plan: Exploring Number Patterns to Discover Common Factors
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Print Lesson PlanOverview
In this Cyberchase activity, students explore different repeating patterns to predict when two or more events will occur at the same time. In the video segment, the CyberSquad examines patterns and beats in music. Students are encouraged to create patterns and draw conclusions. In doing so they learn to predict the least common factor of up to three numbers.
Grade Level:
3-6Suggested Time
60 minutes
Media Resources
Finding the Common Beat QuickTime Video
Performance by Music of the Spheres QuickTime Video
Materials
Searching for the Beat handout
Assessment: Level A
Assessment: Level B
Answer Key
The Lesson
Part I: Learning Activity
1. Read the following to the students: "The CyberSquad goes to Athens, Greece to hear a band called Music of the Spheres. The Greeks believed the planets made sounds as they revolved and called this The Harmony of the Spheres. When Hacker kidnaps the Beast, the band's drummer, the CyberSquad is called upon to figure out the pattern of beats played by the missing drummer. Before watching the video segment, examine the Searching for the Beat handout to see if you can figure out the pattern."
2. Distribute the Searching for the Beat handout .
3. Ask the students to complete problems one through four.
4. Tell the students that they will now watch a video segment in which the CyberSquad attempts to figure out the repeating patterns of the music. Ask them to be sure they understand the CyberSquad's solution so they can solve similar challenges afterwards.
5. Play the Finding the Common Beat QuickTime Video .
6. Tell the students they will now watch a video in which the drummer plays his own correct pattern.
7. Play the Performance by Music of the Spheres QuickTime Video. Ask students to listen for the drummer's pattern.
8. Have students complete the remaining questions on the handout. For question number four, be sure to discuss with students why we call the number of the beat where the patterns coincide the "least common multiple."
Part II: Assessment
Assessment: Level A (proficiency): Students are given a pattern table similar to the one the CyberSquad used. They are asked to complete the table and to find the beat on which all the instruments play at the same time.
Assessment: Level B (above proficiency): Students are given a description of the beat and must discover the beat on which all instruments play at the same time.
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