My colleague and fellow mathematics education enthusiast Zak Champagne posted some of his 1st and 2nd grade students’ pattern block creations on Twitter. https://twitter.com/Zakchamp/status/1380258382263824387
I immediately responded suggesting his kids and mine engage in a friendly pattern block challenge. I knew he would say YES! We have been sending pictures of our students’ work back and forth. My students examine his students’ work, and share what they notice and wonder and vice versa.
Here is an image from one of Zak’s students:
My students’ reactions:
Ava said, “It looks like it's going round and round.” Catharina offered, “I see flowers on the outside.” Sam said, “I see bows and arrows.” Some then wondered more about how they created these and immediately asked to try some of their own.
This is another piece from Zak’s students. Ivan noticed, “that it looks like a gear or a saw.” Cleo said, “it looks like a tiny snowflake in the middle.” Alejandra said, “the middle part looks like it can suck stuff in!” This last one is my favorite. It made us all chuckle. Some then wondered how you could “make it look like that?”
On my end, I have seen my students’ collaboration skills blossom. They usually work in pairs and build one piece of work together. This can be challenging for 5 and 6 year olds to do without arguing. The things I have observed include discussion, cooperation, compromise, offering of suggestions, listening and perhaps most importantly joy and excitement. They literally are tickled with delight when they create something interesting and even note when they were inspired by their partner or by one of Zak’s students.
Here are some creations by my students:
Catherina’s “snowflake”
Jean’s design after a few attempts where she flipped and rotated shapes until she liked what she made. When I observed her work, she seemed to be trying to make things symmetrical. When something wasn’t quite even, she would rework the shapes.
Alejandra’s and Catharina’s collaboration. This was one of their first attempts and involved numerous attempts and figuring out what worked and didn’t.
Another one from Catharina who frequently asks to make these.
Ivan’s creation and he commented, “it looks like it’s moving.”
Ava’s really interesting design!
As I continue to watch my young mathematicians explore and build, I am struck by the geometric ideas at play. This activity has given me ample opportunities to observe and confer as they develop and work through the geometry. I see them often flipping or rotating pattern blocks, or trying different shapes to see what fits. While they don’t frequently use the term “symmetrical,” they are definitely noticing when it happens or when something “looks a bit funny.” Sometimes I see a child just staring at her work with a quizzical look on her face. Then after a few minutes, trying something different. I just sit and watch sometimes from a distance and often marvel and what they do.
Play is at the heart of this activity. Maarten Dolk recently sent me a VERY good article about the Curious Minds Project that took place in The Netherlands and Belgium among 7 universities. (Reference 1) In this article, the French astrophysicist, Lena is quoted, “there is evidence that children, from the youngest age, are capable of building upon the natural and insatiable curiosity to develop logical and rational thought.” (Reference 2) The article goes on to reference how play and exploration are essential for young children and in fact continuing one’s entire life. This reminds me of Elena Aguilar’s chapter on play in her book Onward. She says that “play improves brain function,” (pg. 251) and talks about how play can generate creativity and imagination. I am discovering more and more research and observations around how essential play is.
There is much more to delve into!
Please check out my colleague, Zak Champagne’s blog post about this challenge!
References
1: Curious Minds: Serious Play--https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337210829_Curious_Minds-Serious_Play
This is a video of Dr. Jan de Lange talking about the Curious Minds Project:
2: Lena, P. (2006). From science to education: the need for a revolution. European Review, 14: 3-21, 2006. Academia Europeae, Erasmus Lecture 2005.
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