Number Framework domain and stage
Calculation chains are a way to get students to practice recently learned calculation skills. There is a blank master and a number of other chains available. The framework stage depends on the chain being used.
Numeracy Project Book reference
These activities can be used to follow the teaching episodes based on Book 8, page 24 and are for those students who are able to use the associated number properties.
Prior knowledge
Students should be able to:
- apply appropriate number sense and try out different strategies beyond guess and check.
Background
This work is based on a “Figure It Out” activity in Number Sense and Algebraic Thinking Level 3 Book 1 page 21.
In general, calculation chains work by getting a student to work out which operation has been used on an expression to turn it into another expression. The chains also tend to go from the top of the page to the bottom, so each sheet has a number of chains on it. However, it is essential that teachers read the pages in the FIO teachers handbook (pages 39-40) associated with this activity before they attempt to use it with the class. The activities and templates provided enable the teacher to expand the ideas introduced in the FIO activity.
The templates can be used:
- as OHPs for whole class or group practice (Changes can be made to these very easily. Any operation can be used and students can be given an operation to work with.)
- for students to develop their own activity
- for extension and use in other areas, for example, algebra (See algebra sheet with chains completed.)
- for simpler activities to advance students operating at earlier stages.
The first chain uses subtraction. Chains 2 and 3 require the student to decide which operation to use.