Concentric circles (BODMAS) V2

Description

In this activity learners will explore using BODMAS for simplifying expressions. There will be four concentric circles drawn on the floor with different colors using color chalk. The circles should be big enough to allow learners to stand in them. Now each learner will get a chit with a number and a sign. The facilitator will decide the operation associated with each colored circle, add, subtract, multiply, divide. Operations will be performed on the learners standing in the inner most circle. As each circle is opened up, starting with the inner most circle, learners carrying the chits will have to perform the operations. Finally when all circles are opened up, a single value can be calculated for the expression. The activity can be repeated for multiple round with learners changing positions and picking different set of chits.

Learning Objectives

Scholastic: BODMAS, Math operations, Opening brackets, expressions ​

Skills: Team-work, leadership

Material / Equipment needed

Color chalk, paper chits with numbers and signs written down

Stimulation (How do you peel an onion?​, Is order important for math operators?)

Introduce Learning Objective

• How do you open-up a cabbage? Hint: layer by layer ​

• Are there any other things we open-up layer by layer? Hint: probe for experiences​

• TODO: Ask learners to draw three concentric circles and put a number in the inner most circle and one number in each ring. Ask them to multiply all the numbers. First the inner most with the number in first ring, then that result with number in second ring. They can check the results with others.​

Introduce activity process

• What happens if we multiply in a different order? Hint: result will be same. ​

• What happens if operations are mixed? The result will be different for different order.

Resources

Step 1 (Team formation and instructions)

• Divide into teams of 4 or 5 each. ​

• Draw 3 or 4 concentric circles of different colors.​

• Prepare chits of numbers along with signs (ex +5 or -6 etc). Have a lot of such chits.​

• Each learner will have to pick one chit randomly.​

• There should be one learner standing in each ring and remaining learners in the center.​

• For each round the facilitator will decide which color will be which operator. Ex: Blue is multiplication, Red is subtraction etc.​

• Then the team will have to simplify their expression by removing one circle at a time. They have to perform operations on inner numbers as they do that.​

• Keep track of the time each team takes in getting a final answer​

Step 2 (Trial round)

• Let each team take a turn​

• Keep track of the amount of time taken for each team

Thinking Questions

• Why does – of – become +?​

• What other operations can we use?​

• Is there any order in applying + and -? Hint: Yes. In BODMAS A comes before S. But it doesn’t make any difference.

Resources

Step 3 (Competition round)

Repeat as competition round for all teams. This time use the operator of division as well.

Thinking Questions

• Which is the most difficult operator to use?​

• Which is the easiest operator to use?

Resources

Step 4 (Stretch round)

Repeat as stretch round for all teams. This time let them write an expression on board and then form the circles for that expression.

Thinking questions

• Is it easier make an expression or simplify an expression?​

• Can you simplify expression in your mind?​

• Will that improve your speed of solving problems?

Reflection

• Which team was the quickest?​

• Which team was the most accurate?

• What did you learn from this activity? Hint: Simplifying expressions.​

• How can you make yourself quicker and more accurate at simplification?​

• Where else can you apply this simplification process?​

• How will you practice simplification till you get most efficient at it?

ACT00029 Concentric circles AT3.1.pdf

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