Algebraic thinking & CAPS

Question 1

What are the tasks learners should be able to perform in relation to patterns, functions & algebra?

Answer 1

• copy patterns
• extend patterns
• describe patterns
• create their own patterns
• generalise about relationships

Question 2

In the foundation phase, learners focus on…

Answer 2

Number patterns (skip counting) & geometric patterns

Question 3

What are some of the “Big ideas” in the topic for Gr R - 3?

Answer 3

• explore functional & recursive relationships
• represent mathematical ideas using simple numerical expressions & equations
• understand the equal sign as a representation of equivalence
• describing, creating, extending & generalising a variety of patterns
• exploring variables

Question 4

What are some of the skills & activities involved in algebraic thinking?

Answer 4

• generalising
• making predictions
• exploring symbolic representation
• logical thinking
• testing/evaluating multiple ways of solving
• exploring the properties of numbers
• identifying relationships
• noticing pattern structures

Question 5

Questions for teachers to pose when exploring patterns?

Answer 5

• What is the same each time?
• What is the rule for this pattern?
• How is the pattern getting bigger/smaller each time?
• How did you get to that answer?
• Is there another way of getting the answer?
• Is your rule always going to work? Test it.
• What do you notice?
• Describe your pattern. What shapes do you see?
• Find/circle the pattern core

Question 6

Steps to investigating geometric patterns

Answer 6

1. Copy Pattern
2. Extend pattern
3. Explain/describe the pattern verbally
4. Put the numbers into a table/flow diagram
5. State the pattern rule