A complete tutorial for use of the applet, with easy to follow instructions, is provided at the site. It is strongly recommended that teachers go online and learn the program so they can provide personal instruction to the students in combination with the tutorial. Even before formal schooling, children develop beginning concepts related to patterns, functions, and algebra. They learn repetitive songs, rhythmic chants, and predictable poems that are based on repeating patterns. In this activity, students use the interactive computer applet to create and study red and blue connecting-cube patterns.
Most students see the pattern being formed as a sequence of single cubes of alternating colors.
Partners should switch roles until both have manipulated the cubes. As students work through the activity, walk from group to group, encouraging them to describe the connecting-cube pattern using color, letters and sounds. Challenge students to explore several ways to describe the pattern. The teacher's role during his activity is to help students draw connections between what is happening to the patterns while moving the cubes. Describe the connecting-cube pattern using colors.