Algebra outside

We have been working on algebra the last couple of weeks and we took our learning outside this week.  We used a variety of objects as the "mystery number", including my new gemstones (which I ordered from the Cosy Catalogue and the P7 girls absolutely loved!) as well as sticks, flowers, leaves, cones etc.

Some groups ended up with using 3 equations in order to work out the value of 2 unknown values.  We worked on this for almost an hour and when I said we were stopping (it was lunchtime) many of the class were disappointed as they were having so much fun!  One said, "We learn so much more outside and if we had done this in the classroom for an hour it would have been so boring.  I understand it better now"

Bliss....