Integer: Tic-Tac-Toe Four In A Row!
Conchita A. Little Terrell School
5410 South State Street
Chicago IL 60609
(312) 535-1490
Objective:
To use a phenomenological approach to the introduction of
integers using a coordinate plane and ordered pairs.
Materials needed:
Chalkboard, color chalk, coordinate grid (drawn on the chalkboard),
numberline, and a large visual thermometer. Maps are optional.
Strategy:
Discuss integers as a subset of the real numbers, including zero (0),
positive (+) and negative (-) whole numbers.
Ask students to tell other real world uses for integers besides the
thermometer.
Introduce a numberline; allow students to count in a positive, then in a
negative direction starting at the origin zero (0).
Discuss with students the meaning of integers.
Locate a few integers on the numberline.
Emphasize positive and negative numbers.
Place a coordinate grid on the chalkboard.
Explain the coordinate plane, using the numberline as a basis.
Locate points on the coordinate plane first moving horizontally, then
moving vertically.
Tell students the points found on the coordinates are called
ordered pairs.
Use the game of tic-tac-toe four in a row to give students practice
in locating coordinates using integers.
Conclusion:
Teams were chosen to play tic-tac-toe four in a row on the coordinate
plane. Each team used a strategy to get four coordinates in a row either
horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Team members located the ordered
pairs successfully to win the game. The use of quadrants II, III and IV
was encouraged.
References:
Heimer, Ralph T., Trueblood, Cecil R. Strategies for Teaching Children
Mathematics. Addison Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA., 1977, pages
349-359.
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