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Two 45-minute sessions
In January 2002, PBS launched a new series:
Cyberchase. It helps kids discover that math is fun and something
we experience all around us, daily. The cartoon format features
Motherboard as the all-knowing essence of the computer network
responsible for the order and stability of Cyberspace. Dr. Marbles
is the head techie and Hacker is in charge of carrying out the
wishes of Motherboard. Hacker turns into a power-hungry scoundrel
who wants to take control of Cyberspace. Hacker tricks three Earth
kids into helping him create chaos in Cyberspace…hence the
adventures begin. The program is aired on LPB daily in the afternoon.
Taping is allowed and teachers are encouraged to go to the www.pbskids.org/cyberchase
to access the interactive Web site. The site features student,
parent, and teacher components. Included are interactive games,
and a schedule of the series programs. The lesson plans on the
Web site are linked to the National Council of Teachers of Math
Standards.
Through the activities presented in this lesson, students will
be introduced to and have an opportunity to use patterns to predict
the next step in problem solving. They will learn that patterns
are sequences that repeat or change in an orderly way. After examining
the Web site and video, students will participate in creating
their own patterns using a poster size “Cyberboard”.
Extensions of the lesson include the study of Tangrams and creating
patterns using a calculator.
Mathematics, Language Arts
Students will be able to:
• Analyze patterns of numbers and shapes to find the next
two terms in each sequence
• Create patterns using tangrams
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Standards
http://www.nctm.org/standards/standards.htm
Algebra Standard: Describe, extend, and make generalizations about
geometric and numerical patterns.
Louisiana Mathematics Framework
Bulletin
http://www.lcet.doe.state.la.us/doe/assessment/standards/MATH.pdf
A-3-E: Recognizing the connection of algebra to the other
strands and to real-life situations
A-3-M: Representing situations and number patterns with
tables, graphs, and verbal and written statements, while exploring
the relationships among these representations
Video:
Cyberchase episode: The Poddleville Case
Web sites:
PBS Kids Cyberchase
http://www.pbskids.org/cyberchase
This Web site is the companion to the Cyberchase series that is
broadcast daily on public television. The site is interactive
and includes games, previews, a teacher/parent page, lesson plans,
and background information. The lesson plans are linked to NCTM
standards.
Per Class:
• VCR tape of: The Poddleville Case (check Web site for broadcast
dates)
Per Class:
• “Cyberboard” ( HTML PDF
) with Velcro number and shape attachments
· easel or other way to display the “Cyberboard”
• Television with VCR
• Computer with PC/TV adapter (or student computers with
Internet capability)
• “Cyberboard” construction:
• One standard sized poster board
• Several shapes cut out of colored card stock or similar
paper
• small squares cut out of white card stock or index cards
• Velcro strips
• Overhead projector
• Calculator (transparent) to use on overhead projector
• Transparency of tangram activity
Per Student:
• Student activity sheet (attached)
• Tangram puzzle on card stock
• Scissors
• Pencils
1. Bookmark the Web site: http://www.pbskids.org/cyberchase.
Preview the site to learn the components: Today’s Stuff,
How it all started, Tomorrow’s show, Weekly poll, Meet the
Cybersqad, Free Stuff, E-cards, and Games Central are the links.
Also included is a link for Parents and Teachers.
2. View the episode “The Poddleville Case”
3. Prepare the “Cyberboard” and attachments (laminate
for durability)
4. Reproduce student activity sheet and tangram puzzle(use
card stock for durability)
Go to http://www.pbskids.org/cyberchase
to the Meet the Cybersquad section to learn more about the premise
of the show and the characters. If a television with a pc/tv converter
is available, use that method so the entire class can see the
Web site. Ideally each will investigate the Web site on his own.
Explain that Cyberchase is an animated adventure television series
and multimedia project about a team of kids on daring missions
in Cyberspace. To save the day, our heroes have to use Math and
Brain Power. Some of the primary characters are:
• Attached Activity sheet from the Web site: http://ww.pbskids.org/cyberchase
1. Ask the students if they know what a pattern is (they
will most likely say that patterns are sequences that repeat of
change).
2. PLAY the tape: The Poddleville Chase and PAUSE
at the end of the cartoon segment. Ask the students to identify
patterns they see in the video and jot these down on as they are
viewing the segment. (They may say color, shape, and numbers;
all of which are correct).
3. Display the Cyberboard showing a pattern similar to
the one in the tape: square, circle, triangle, square) with numbers
in sequence: 13, 11, 9. Ask students if they can predict the next
number in the series. (They will most likely say “7”
which is correct).
4. Ask students to identify the sequence used to make the
prediction. (odd numbers, descending by two). REWIND to
the place in the video where the Poddleville triangle is helping
Jackie figure out the sequence.
5. Ask students to predict the sequence for the shapes:
(square, circle, triangle, square, circle, triangle).
6. Ask students why the board shows a double pattern? (shapes
and numbers)
7. Invite a team of two or three volunteers to use the
shapes and numbers to create another pattern (they will use shapes
and numbers to create their own patterns such as: all squares
with even numbers descending by twos, or use all shapes and count
by fives, i.e.).
8. PLAY the REAL (epilogue) segment of the tape.
9. Video Focus for Media Interaction: Ask the students
these questions. They may be written on the chalkboard or asked
orally. Answers may be written or oral. (Teacher choice).
• How can sound patterns turn noise into music? (clapping
hands, stomping feet, dribbling basketballs, and banging on garbage
can lids are all demonstrated by cast members from the show, Stomp.
In addition, notes on a music page are patterns which are sometimes
repeated in the melodies)
• What is a pattern in terms of music? (Something that you
hear as well as see)
10. Have students choose everyday items to make their own
patterns. (number patterns as well as photos clipped from magazines,
foods, vehicles, sounds, etc.)
11. Check for comprehension by asking: What is a pattern?
(sequence that repeats or changes in an orderly way).
12. Place transparent calculator on overhead projector.
Ask: Can a calculator be used to show patterns? (Students answers
will vary) Program the calculator so that it will display ascending
or descending patterns of numbers. Explain to students that calculators
can help with math, but that the student has to program it correctly
to find correct answers.
1. Distribute the Student Activity Master (download from
http://ww.pbskids.org/cyberchase).
Allow class time or ask them to complete it for homework. OR Students
logon to the Web site and complete the activity and print out
their solutions.
2. Use the class computer with PC/TV adapter or allow students
to work in small groups (or individually) to access http://www.pbskids.org/cyberchase
to participate in interactive games and to participate in the
weekly poll for the show.
3. Ask for evidence of patterns in nature. (seasons, days
of week, etc.)
4. Distribute the Tangram Puzzle sheets. Supply each student
with a pair of scissors and demonstrate the method of completing
the puzzle with a transparency of the puzzle. Ask for student
volunteers to supply one or two of the solutions.
Language Arts: Read the book, Grandfather Tang’s
Story. Mention that the use of patterns is not a new idea
and has a basis in ancient history and myth.
Art: Create collages using patterns. Quilt making is an
example as well as tangrams, and tessellations.
• Use the Web site to send e-cards to friends about what
was learned while viewing Cyberchase http://www.pbskids.org/cyberchase
• Participate in the Weekly poll at the above Cyberchase
Web site
• Visit the library to find more information about sequences
and patterns in math and in nature.
