-Sribhavani
New Initiative of Sanjeev for the year 2025 is to support children from 5th to 8th grade to make project and learn concepts visually by utilizing computers and technology once in a week. As part of learning, this time solving an algebraic equation was attempted in different way with the help of Polypad.
What is an algebra?
Children learned that algebra is to know the unknow values i.e. finding the unknowns.
Children know how to solve a one variable linear equation like x+5 = 8, then value of x is 3 intuitively. But when they are writing down expression and solving the equation, they get confusion on why they are subtracting the values.
The above confusion was clarified visually when children created their own puzzles on one variable linear equation.
Children learned to create algebraic Puzzles using polypad and challenge their friends to solve their puzzles. During this session, class went interactively and everyone were involved in creating their puzzle. They learned equation as a weight balance, used one of the shape available in the tools as variable and added a few numbers in both sides of the balance to make the balance equal. And also children learned how to change the value of the variable in the puzzle.
When they are solving the puzzles, they were able to see the removal of number from both sides visually. So that they understand why they are subtracting the numbers in the equation to find the value of unknown. Children enjoyed learning with fun while creating this puzzles and challenging their friends to solve and increasing the level of difficult.
Puzzles Created By the children:
Children were able to write equation and create puzzle for the equation. Explanation of the created puzzles is below.
| Star is taken as variable x. Created Equation: 4x + 16 = 40 x = 6 | Square is taken as variable x. Equation: 15y = 225 Y = 15 |
A Few other Puzzles:
Children Solving puzzles created by their friends
Children creating Algebraic Puzzles in PolyPad
Learning Outcomes:
- Children were able to create puzzles using polypad and were able to write an algebraic expression for the same.
- Learned how to use authoring mode in polypad to change the value of the variables they are using.
- Clarity in removing the values from the equation while solving.