Making conjectures with dominoes
We can use dominoes to help kids learn pattern recognition. For example, choose a predicate, then lay out 3-5 dominoes that match the predicate and another 3-5 that do not. Then ask the student what the pattern is. You must choose patterns that are appropriate for the student. For example, the pattern could be "each tile has an even number," and this would be appropriate for second graders, but not first graders. Below are some patterns to get you started. Each predicate can also be negated. If you want to contribute to this list, please contact me! And here's some printer-friendly dominoes.
- Equal tiles
- Sum of tiles is even
- Sum of tiles is divisible by three
- Sum of tiles is nine
- Both tiles are odd
- Twice as many dots on one tile as the other
- One tile is three more than the other
- Top tile is less than the bottom
- Both tiles have degree 4 rotational symmetry
Here's some GPL TikZ code to help you draw diagrams involving dice and dominoes: