Grade Four Web Gems Lesson Plans

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Subject: Health; Science and Technology; Math 

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Topic: Networks  

Outcomes: Students will:

1. create a network of connections between an increasing number of people and relate it to their personal lives and to telecommunications.

2.  predict patterns as more people are added to the network.

3. construct geometric models of the networks and name the geometric shapes.

Materials Needed: Lengths of string (works better than yarn because it doesn’t stretch)
   Chart paper
   Marker

Learning Activities: Working in groups of five or six students will investigate how many lines it takes to connect the members of the group to every other member of the group by:

1.      connecting two people with string.  The recorder fills in a chart:

Number of People

Network Drawing and Geometric Shape Name

Number of Connections

2

 

 

3

 

 

4

 

5

 

6

                   

Line segment

1

 

The recorder is the last one to enter the network. 

            2.  Determine the relationship between the number of people in the network and the number of connections. 

Evaluation: 1.  From your experience, complete the chart for seven, eight, nine, and ten people.  Describe the pattern seen as the numbers increase.

2.      What are the elements of a network?

3.      How could you connect a growing number of people without having lines joining every person? 

Extension: 

1.  Draw symbols or pictures of yourself and the people in your life, with lines connecting you to each of them.  Connect these people to each other where appropriate.

2.  Indicate the level of communication between people.

For example:  A thick line may  represent lots of communication.   

                       A dotted line shows that you have less frequent communication with that person.   

3.  Use word, pictures and symbols to illustrate who each person is and what part of your life they inhabit, i.e., school, family, sports, etc.

4.  Use the pattern (or n(n-1)/2 formula) to calculate how many lines it would take to connect all the people in your personal network.

5.  Name the switches in your network.  (Those who form a hub of connections.) 

Extensions:  Use a spreadsheet to calculate the number of connections for a given number of people.  Turn your data into a graph.

Reference:  NetWorks Understanding Telecommunication Kit.  This is one lesson in a classroom resource designed to allow students to investigate how telecommunications works.