Calculator Art Years K - 6

Summary This one-off activity is intended to develop familiarity with the way the calculator is laid out by developing an art activity around it. The activity will make the calculator a more accepted tool in the classroom. The suggestions below encourage collage or construction which could be in 2D or 3D, but as you can see from the photo, even your plugs have something to offer as a starting point. Materials Large images of both a calculator and telephone keyboard One calculator each Junk materials, including boxes Match sticks or similar Black cover paper PVA glue Assorted decorative materials

All digits can be made using just three red board columns. Have the boys missed something? What about letters?

Note: One way to get the large images is to photograph the objects and display the photos through a data projector.

Procedure Pick up your calculator and pretend to ring someone as if it were a mobile phone. I don't know what's wrong with this phone. I never seem to be able to get a call through. The children will soon tell you are using a calculator, not a mobile phone. Oh silly me. But it's about the right size and it's got numbers on it. How is it different from a phone? Display your images now and continue the discussion. No doubt the children will identify many differences, but one of the critical ones is that the number buttons on the two machines are arranged differently. CALCULATOR 7 8 9 4 5 6 1 2 3   0   TELEPHONE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   0   You might like to discuss why the two layouts are different. Then encourage children to construct or collage model calculators which clearly show the way all the keys are arranged. Suggest they might also make calculator digits with match sticks or straws or in other ways which show how the calculator builds its numerals. Today I am going to challenge you to make your own calculator using any of these materials I have put around the room. It would be great if you could show some numbers on the screen too. Remove the image of the telephone while the children work, but keep the calculator image on screen. We would be delighted to receive photos of your children's creations. Email them to doug@blackdouglas.com.au with comments from yourself and the kids.

Content mathematical conversation numeral recognition problem solving visual and kinaesthetic representation of number writing numerals The children were obviously very attracted by the bright red and blue calculators with their slide-on covers. They loved having their own machine, and they proudly carried them about everywhere, sitting them on the table even when they were reading or writing a story. It was noticeable that the calculators showed up in a lot of their paintings at this time. The class teacher made use of this interest, suggesting that children should make junk model calculators. She encouraged the children to look closely at the way the numbers were arranged on the keypad... Calculators, Children and Mathematics Page 10

Extensions

1. Alternative artistic activities include:
   • Painting representations without using brushes, for example, using Aboriginal dot or line painting. (Qantas does it on aeroplanes so the same idea could be used in a calculator painting.)
   • Painting abstract representations after studying artists such as Picasso and discussing the essence of the 'emotion' being expressed as opposed to the exactness of the representation.
   • Drawing comic strip sequences which feature the calculator as a personality - developing the story line could be a class activity with various groups assigned the task of drawing each panel on a large sheet of paper
2. Explore the Braille Alphabet with plugs. This alphabet is built on raised 'plugs' arranged in 3 rows of 2.
3. Set the children the challenge of designing the 'world's best calculator keyboard'. What buttons? Why? How will they be arranged? Why?

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