Week 8 | Comparing Cuisenaire Rod Paths

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Lesson Objective:

After reading "Camping Day," children are introduced to comparing Cuisenaire Rod paths. It is a wonderful opportunity to talk about differences. 

Supplies

• Small Group Set of Cuisenaire Rods
• "Camping Day" By Patricia Lakin
• Free Math Journal Page
• An imagination

Lesson Plan

Read, "Camping Day" By Patricia Lakin. 

This fun book pairs well with Camping Trails Play mats in PDL's Building Equation Paths.  Or you can use the free download linked below.

If you have a story felt board, you can prepare jumbo size felt rods to place onto the story felt board or you can also use Jumbo Cuisenaire Rods. I prefer the magnets Cuisenaire Rods and a white board. 

As you read each page, add rods to create a path illustrating the adventures day camping.  I love this book for many reasons besides using it for equation paths.  The large font and simple rhymes make it an attractive read to young children. 

Story Discussion

At the end of the story, describe the equation path created.  Ask the students how you could make the path shorter.  

This is a fun opportunity to see the children's thinking. See where their thinking leads. Did they decide to use a smaller rod?  Compare the first path with the second path.  Is the whole path smaller?