Block It

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

Date: 1994

Grade Level(s): 1, 2, 3

Subject(s):

• Mathematics/Arithmetic
• Mathematics/Process Skills

Overview: Students in primary grades need varied activities to help them learn basic facts and about operations.

Purpose: This problem solving game uses pattern blocks to reinforce computational skills in a challenging format rather than the drudgery of drill.

Objectives: Students will:

1. use problem solving strategies such as guess and check and visualization to play the game.
2. use mental mathematics to decide on the placement of pattern blocks.
3. look for patterns.

Materials:

• pattern blocks
• paper on which to keep score
• calculator

Procedure:

1. Two players are needed to play BLOCK IT. Each receives three each of the following pattern blocks: green triangle, blue rhombus, red trapezoid, yellow hexagon.
2. Players agree on assigned points for each color (e.g. green=1, blue=2, red=3, yellow=6).
3. The game begins with one yellow hexagon starting block placed on the playing surface. This piece does not belong to either player.
4. The first player must place one of her/his blocks such that one side of the block is completely touching on one side of the block(s) on the playing surface. The scoring for each play is the sum of the values of the block placed and those that it touches on a side. Play continues until both players use all of their pieces.

   For example, Player A selects a green triangle to play, therefore the green triangle (1 point) touches the yellow hexagon (6 points) so 7 points (1+6) are scored. Player B then places a red trapezoid (3 points) such that it touches one full side of the green triangle (1 point) and one full side of the yellow hexagon (6 points); Player B scores 10 points (3+1+6). Player A places a blue rhombus (2 points) that touches one full side of the green triangle (1 point) and one full side of the yellow hexagon (6 points) which scores another 9 points (2+1+6) giving Player A a total now of 16 points. Player B continues play in this manner.

5. Students may use a calculator to help them keep score.
6. The player with the most total points after all pieces have been used is the winner.

Tying it All Together:

1. Have students share their scores and strategies used.
2. What was the most points a player scored in one play in your game? the least?
3. Did students use the blocks with higher point values first or last?
4. Does Player A have an advantage by going first?
5. Is there a maximum score a player can earn?
6. If the pieces were assigned different values, how would that affect their play?

These lesson plans are the result of the work of the teachers who have attended the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshop. CEC is a consortium of teacher from 14 western states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States, and particularly the quality of math and science Education. CEC uses Big Sky Telegraph as the hub of their telecommunications network that allows the participating teachers to stay in contact with their trainers and peers that they have met at the Workshops.