Begin the tour with a couple of games that challenge pattern-recognition skills. Students stimulate their logical thinking and mathematical reasoning by manipulating rows of squares with Changing Colors .
Students attempt to switch all but one square in a grid from white to black.
After some exploration of the activity, your young mathematicians attempt to explain if the goal can be achieved, and if not, then why not. Next, challenge students to play a pattern game that can be won. Students play against the computer by manipulating Squares and Circles . In addition to pattern recognition, game strategy, and algebraic thinking come into play in this fun and challenging interactive puzzle. A formula is also provided that explains how the outcome of the game is ultimately decided on the initial number of circles and squares.