Intent

This activity concludes work with the hot and cold cubes model for integer arithmetic, for now. This activity requires students not only to make meaning of the model but to create a thorough explanation of the model, using examples. Their write-ups of this activity will be part of their Patterns portfolios.

Mathematics

Throughout the rest of the program, students are expected to use negative numbers where appropriate.

Progression

Students will use their previous experiences to put the hot and cold cubes model into their own words, including selecting several examples in order to provide a complete explanation of the model.

Approximate Time

5 minutes for introduction

30 minutes for activity (at home or in class)

10 minutes for discussion

Classroom Organization

Individuals, followed by whole-class discussion

Doing the Activity

Have students read the activity. Advise them to be thoughtful about including sufficient examples in their manuals so that the new assistant chef will know how to read, interpret, and write recipes.

Tell students that they will include their manuals in their portfolios, which they will create at the end of this unit.

Discussing and Debriefing the Activity

You might have a few students read their papers to the class. Encourage students to identify parts of the manual they struggled to write. Ask for other students to comment, sharing how they figured out how to write that section or even reading the passage aloud.

Rather than collecting the assignment now, you may want to discuss the ideas and then let students turn in revised versions tomorrow.

Supplemental Activity

Chef Divisions asks students to model division with hot and cold cubes.