Activity Duration: 5 - 15 minutes
Objective(s):
1. Visually introduce the child to the concept of cubes of binomial, while providing a fun challenge.
2. To develop the child’s perception of 3-dimensional patterns.
3. To prepare the child for mathematics, especially algebra, through the cube’s visual representation of the following algebraic formulas: (a+b)3 = (a+b) * (a+b) * (a+b) = (a2+ab+ab+b2)(a+b) = (a2+ 2ab+b2)(a+b) = a3+a2b +2a2b+2ab2+ab2+b3 = a3+3a2b+3ab2+b3
3. To prepare the child for mathematics, especially algebra, through the cube’s visual representation of the following algebraic formulas: (a+b)3 = (a+b) * (a+b) * (a+b) = (a2+ab+ab+b2)(a+b) = (a2+ 2ab+b2)(a+b) = a3+a2b +2a2b+2ab2+ab2+b3 = a3+3a2b+3ab2+b3
Materials:
1. The Binomial Cube
2. 1 mat
Presentation:
1. Name the Binomial Cube and show the child where it is kept.
2. Disassemble the cube by taking out the prisms one-by-one and layer-layer.
3. Arrange them in order on the mat.
4. Say: “We are going to build the Binomial Cube” and start by placing the red cube into the back left corner of the box.
5. Point to the sides of the red cube and say: "The sides are red. Look for a prism with a red side."
6. Place it with its red face touching a red face of the red cube. Do the same for the rest of the prisms with red side.
7. Place the blue and black prisms with the black faces touching the black faces of the red and black prisms.
8. Close the hinged sides of the box and place back the cover of the box.
9. Open the box and side hinges again, disassemble the cube and encourage the child to try to build the Binomial Cube.
Tips:
1. Encourage the child to build the Binomial Cube without the help of the picture.
2. Build the Binomial Cube outside the box. Once built, separate them in 2 layers so that the child can see that each layer has the same pattern.
Video Demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Bvi00xlns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJcXtCiNrPI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgVJzTMEvXE
http://youtu.be/VJNtEndiXQg
Control of Error:
If the cube is not formed and the box cannot be closed properly.
Additional Information:
A little late with this, J (3Y7M) tried this activity for the first time on 12.10.2012. He could build it.
References:
http://www.infomontessori.com/sensorial/visual-sense-binomial-cube.htm
http://faculty.fullerton.edu/syen/mts/sensor/6.htm
Basic Montessori Learning Activities for Under-Fives by David Gettman
Basic Montessori Learning Activities for Under-Fives by David Gettman
Updates 30 Nov. 2013
5 Jan 2021 (5Y7M): Baby FECS demonstrating how to build the binomial cube for her friends
