This collection features resources to encourage and develop problem solving skills.
Students use their emerging writing skills to write shopping lists. They work within a budget, use problem-solving skills to create lists, and buy their favorite treats at the class store.
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In this lesson students apply the problem solving process to three different problems in order to better understand the value of each step. They will solve a word search, arrange seating for a birthday party, and plan a trip. The problems grow increasingly complex and poorly defined to highlight how the problem solving process is particularly helpful when tackling these types of problems. The lesson concludes with students reflecting on their experience with the problem solving process. They will justify the inclusion of each step and will brainstorm questions or strategies that can help them better define open-ended problems, as this is often the most critical step.
This lesson will likely take two class periods or more to complete. The first two problems may fit into a single class period but the third will need to be moved to a second day.
Students complete two unplugged card sorting activities to explore the meaning of processing and its relationship to problem-solving. The first activity has few constraints and is used to introduce a high-level definition of processing. The next introduces more constraints that force students to develop an algorithm that will always successfully process the cards. Students iteratively develop, test, and share their algorithms with classmates. A wrap-up discussion has students reflect on the different types of problem-solving they used in these activities and the value of producing an algorithm to solve a problem.
Figure This! Math Problem Solving Challenge for Families
Four Corners Graphic Organizer for Math
Main idea, connect, brainstorm, solve, write.
“When will we ever use this in the real world?”
Real world math examples and solutions from the University of Waterloo.
Module 7 presents an opportunity for students to practice addition and subtraction strategies within 100 and problem-solving skills as they learn to work with various types of units within the contexts of length, money, and data. Students represent categorical and measurement data using picture graphs, bar graphs, and line plots. They revisit measuring and estimating length from Module 2, though now using both metric and customary units.
Module 2 uses place value to unify measurement, rounding skills, and the standard algorithms for addition and subtraction. The module begins with plenty of hands-on experience using a variety of tools to build practical measurement skills and conceptual understanding of metric and time units. Estimation naturally surfaces through application; this transitions students into rounding. In the modules final topics students round to assess whether or not their solutions to problems solved using the standard algorithms are reasonable.
Students will work in small groups to cooperatively to complete a Fermi math problem. Fermi math challenges students to solve seemingly complicated questions using estimation, rounding, approximations, analytical thinking, creative thinking, communication, and technology skills. The students will investigate the driving question: If you wanted to send a valentine card to each person in the world next year:
• how many boxes of packaged valentines will you need to purchase?
• how much will it cost for you to purchase and mail all of the cards?
• if everyone in the world sent a valentine to everyone else in the world, how many valentines in total would be sent?
Graphic Organizers to Help Kids With Math
The ABACUS International Math Challenge was launched in 1997 by Tivadar Divéki, head of Grace Church School’s Science Department. In September, 2015, we proudly changed the name of our program to Paul Erdős International Math Challenge. The program is based on a printed journal for gifted students, originating in Hungary over 100 years ago. Participants over the years included Edward Teller, Leo Szilárd and other notables in physics, computer science and mathematics. This program is designed for students of all abilities and demonstrates that mathematical talent can be stimulated and developed through individual attention, instant feedback and challenging subject matter with flexible levels of difficulty.
The Problem of the Month is intended to challenge enthusiastic high school math students. Most problems are designed with the assumption that students attempting them have a solid understanding of grade 11 math, but some problems may still be of interest to motivated younger students.
A new problem will be posted on the first Tuesday of every month starting in October. A hint will follow 10 days later, and a solution another 10 days after that.
Illuminations works to serve you by increasing access to quality standards-based resources for teaching and learning mathematics, including interactive tools for students and instructional support for teachers.
The website includes:
- Lesson plans
- Online math strategy games against a computer or other players across the world
- Activities
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This is a booklet containing 11 problem sets and 9 "Extra for Experts" challenges. Learners use provided textual information to determine the scale (e.g., kilometers per millimeter) for images of the lunar surface, Mars, planets, stars and galaxies and then identify the smallest and largest features in the images according to their actual physical sizes. These problems involve measurement, dividing whole numbers, decimal mathematics, and scaling principles. Each set of problems is contained on one page. This booklet can be found on the Space Math@NASA website.
The tools for educators include:
~ Problems of the Month - The Problems of the Month are non-routine math problems designed to be used schoolwide to promote a problem-solving theme at your school. Each problem is divided into five levels of difficulty, Level A (primary) through Level E (high school), to allow access and scaffolding for students into different aspects of the problem and to stretch students to go deeper into mathematical complexity.
~ Jumpstart Guide for Practitioners - guide to accompany the Problems of the Month
~ Formative Re-engaging Lessons - Formative Re-Engaging Lessons involve a cycle of inquiry, instruction, assessment, analysis, selection, and re-engagement around a mathematical concept. Each Formative Re-Engaging Lesson includes a classroom video of the lesson, downloadable lesson plan, student pages, pre- and post-assessments, and supporting instructional materials.
~ Classroom Videos
~ Resources for Social and Emotional Learning in Mathematics Classrooms
Kindergarten Math problem solving.
This link will work when you are IN A SUN WEST BUILDING (otherwise, you will be prompted to log in to your account. Refer to the document "Accessing Resources at Sun West" that was sent to you via email and Friday File for username and password).
This link will specifically organize the math resources available in Learn360.
Use the tabs along the top to locate:
Videos
Audio resources (songs etc)
Printables
STEM Lessons - these are really interactive activities and full lessons.
You can also filter by grade at the top of the page.
Keep in mind you can always use the search feature to find something specific quickly.
Run by the University of Regina in Canada, this site offers free resources for math teachers and their students, including a database where users can search for the answers to math questions.
Their Mathematics with a Human Face page includes information about careers in mathematics as well as profiles of mathematicians.
"Named in honour of the mathematician Emmy Noether, this free online project aims to encourage the participation of both teachers and students at the Grade 5 and 6 level in solving problems for enjoyment and satisfaction. The 'circle' symbolizes an inclusive and collaborative setting, open to a variety of ability levels, wherein mutual support enhances individual investigations.
Each Circle is a set of six problems, plus hints, suggestions, and solutions. The problems can be used individually, or as a set, as time permits. While group work is a major focus, most problems are also accessible to students who prefer to work on their own."