Summative Task: Design a Tukutuku Panel

Use your algebra skills to design a beautiful and meaningful pattern.

The Project

Your mission is to design a tukutuku panel for our school's virtual wharenui. Your design must be based on a growing pattern that can be described by an algebraic rule.

Part 1: The Poutama (Stairway to Heaven) Pattern

The Poutama pattern represents genealogies and the various levels of learning and intellectual achievement. We will use a simplified version for our project.

Your task is to create a rule for a Poutama pattern.

  1. Choose a rule: Create an algebraic rule for a growing pattern (e.g., 4n + 2). It must be your own rule.
  2. Show the first 3 stages: On graph paper, draw the first three stages of your pattern.
  3. Create a table: Make a table showing the stage number (n) and the number of squares for the first 5 stages.
  4. Explain your rule: Write a sentence explaining how your pattern grows and what your algebraic rule is.

Part 2: Your Design

On a new piece of graph paper, design a section of a tukutuku panel that incorporates your Poutama pattern. Your design should be colourful and show at least 5 stages of your pattern's growth.

Assessment Rubric

Criteria Achieved Merit Excellence
Algebraic Rule Correctly writes a one-step algebraic rule. Correctly writes a two-step algebraic rule. Creates a complex and original multi-step rule.
Pattern Representation Draws the pattern and completes the table with some accuracy. Accurately draws the pattern and completes the table, showing clear growth. Flawlessly represents the pattern, table, and rule, showing a deep understanding of the connection.
Tukutuku Design Design is clear and uses the pattern. Design is creative, well-presented, and clearly shows the pattern's growth. Design is outstanding, incorporating cultural meaning and demonstrating a sophisticated use of the algebraic pattern.