Math/Beadwork Activity Suggestions for Teachers
By Jim Barta, UMC 2805, Dept. of Elementary Education, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, email: Jim.Barta@usu.edu
There is virtually no mathematical concept appropriate for elementary school students that cannot be
illustrated using beadwork.
Students can:
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explore patterns (alternating bead colors)
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explore shapes (geometry-naming and classifying)
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explore symmetry (line and point)
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explore basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
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count a row of beads
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count the number of beads of each color in a row
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write a number sentence using words to describe the row(i.e. white and white and red and white and white
are five)
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write the same number sentence using numbers/symbols instead of words (i.e. , 2 white + 1 red + 2
white = 5)
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write the number sentence (i.e.,2+1+2=5)
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write the number sentence using variables to represent the colors (i.e., w+w+r+w+w=5) and then simplify to
(2w+r+2w=5) or(4w+r=5)
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describe an entire beaded sash using algebraic notation
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explore the notion of equality using the median bead to represent the �=� sign
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explore percentages
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explore ratios (number of one color compared to another)
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explore fractions (number of one color compared to the total number of beads)
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explore properties (commutative associative, distributive)
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explore fact families (i.e., examining the number of numerical combinations equal to a specific sum)
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explore multiplicative arrays
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explore perimeter and area
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explore measurement using standard and nonstandard units (bead sizes)
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explore various base systems (determined by the number of beads in each row)
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explore money (value of beads, of final product etc.)
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explore time (time it takes to complete a task)
These are just a few of the ways you may choose to connect art/culture and mathematics in your
classroom. Please send additional suggestions or ideas to me and I will add them to this list and share
them with others. I would also appreciate if you would share them with others and if you would share
with me any descriptions of your experiences using beadwork to teach mathematics.